Auntie Brandl was some relative on the Ziegler side fo my family. Aunt Helen Deeley talks about her coming to visit when she was just a little girl and Aunt Helen died in 1993, so Auntie Brandle would have been coming around in the first 20 years of the 20th century. WOW. She said that Auntie Brandl was a teeny tiny lady, all bent over, probably because of osterpheroses and a very loving person.

Anyway, Auntie Brandl made a salve that was supposed to be wonderful for healing open sores, rashes, dry skin . . . .I gather just about any skin thing. Dad used to want to make it after Aunt Helen's last batch ran out. However, there were several of problems. My brother, George, a chemist and says that red lead is seriously toxic and you can't just go out and buy it. Sweet oil is pretty much a mystery and nobody we have found even knows WHAT olebaum (or olebalm) is, much less where to get it. So the magical Wonder Salve has gone the way of Lily the Pink's "Medicinal Compound" or the super elixers sold in side shows years ago.

For what it is worth, here is the recipe.


Auntie Brandl's Wonder Salve

8 Ounces Sweet Oil
4 Ounces Red Lead
3 Drams Olebaum
2 Drams Burnt Alum
2 Drams Camphor

Heat oil to boiling point. Add all ingredients except camphor.

Boil until lead turns brown.

Take from fire and immediately add camphor. Beat until cool.


Love

Mary