Bergamot Snake Oil

James Lileks, on the glories of folk remedies and ancient recipies:

The soap bottle had another claim. "Blue Lavender Essence Lore: Brides in Italy perfumed their wedding clothes with lavender in order to calm their prenuptial jitters."

Left unspoken: Didn't do jack. You'd think the Brides in Italy would have figured this out in short order, eh? "Here, my child. Soak your dress in lavender. It will calm your nerves." Did it work for you, mama? "No, I spent the morning sobbing and throwing up in rank terror, since I had only met your father the previous night, and he had the breath of cheese far gone with mold. But this is what we do, for we are superstitious peasants whose worldview is derived not from empirical observation of the world, but sage wisdom Grandmama got from her great-grandmama. Now put these grape stems up your nose so your first-born will be a boy."