TRADITIONAL POPULAR REMEDIES

by Guze Cassar Pullicino



There is no doubt that in the past popular medicinal lore had an important place in Maltese life. The progressive march of science had discredited much of it, although several practices and herb cures still find a home among the uneducated and more credulous section of the community. This article mentions some of the beliefs and practices which exist, or have existed, among the Maltese people. These beliefs linger on side by side with similar ones held in various other countries.

Some people believe that an egg laid on Lady Day (March 25) possesses great healing properties. It is kept for a long time in a cupboard or in some other dark place, until its contents harden into a balsam. After a year the egg can be used as a special remedy for all kinds of wounds.

John Brand, quoting from an ancient calendar in his Popular Antiquities of Great Britain (1849, Vol. 1, p. 124) refers to the widespread belief in the protective virtues of eggs laid on the Day of the Annunciation.

Children upset by a great fright were taken to the Papas of the Greek church in Valletta, who would read a portion of the Gospel of St John over the children's heads in order to offset the evil effects of the disease. This is a very old custom.

In 1575 Mgr Duzina recorded the following statement by the parish priest of Siggiewi: "It is sometimes the practice to weigh children in order to offset the danger of fright, or of sickness, and this is done by reciting some prayers of the Gallican Missal over the children. The priest receives every time a hen or cock, two loaves and half a quartuccio of wine." Others believe that the blood of a tortoise is an excellent remedy for jaundice caused by a fright.

Children who take a very long time to start talking are made to drink out of a the bell known as "ta' l-erwieh". This bell is so called because it is rung when there is a collection going on for masses for the repose of the dead. To obtain good results, however, stammering children must be made to drink out of the bell on Wednesdays.

Fumigation of persons, animals, buildings, fishing boats, etc. with olive leaves and branches blessed on Palm Sunday is still practised occasionally, and is said to be a good remedy to ward off disease and the consequences of the evil eye.

Mothers also dip babies into a bath containing flowers taken from the decorations of the Holy Sepulchre used in church on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. It is believed that this will have a good effect on children suffering from fright and will also help them to walk as early as possible. It is also customary for old bedridden patients to try to rise in their beds at the Gloria on Easter morning so that they may regain the use of their legs.

To cure ringworm (M. hzieza) a live cowrie (M. bahbuha) is first dipped in oil and then rubbed over the affected part of the skin, while these lines are recited:

	"Ringworm; ringworm,
	go back to your
	filthy mother.
	I'll continue to exorcise you
	till I cut off your roots."

An alternative method of curing ringworm is to dissolve not a live cowrie, but a cowrie shell, in vinegar or lemon juice.

According to Elliott Smith, the cowrie was among the first amulets to be associated with supernatural virtues in human history. Long before the time of the Egyptian dynasties, it had already been regarded as a symbol of the life-giving powers of women, accredited with power to protect the living from the danger of death. Later this virtue was transferred to other kinds of shells.

To cure Pterygium, an eye disease known as Il-qarnita, people use a small silver ring with an octopus engraved on it. This ring is called il-hatem (the signet) and the man or woman who passes it over the afflicted eyes repeats some magic lines, of which the following are examples:

	O Pterygium!
	Pterygium!
	I have exorcised you and shall do so again.
	I'll cut you by the roots
	And throw you back into the sea."

The meaning of the lines is very clear to a Maltese, to whom the word qarnita means both octopus and pterygium.

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(Source: MALTA This Month, Issue #108 - March 1999)
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