How food has been used as medicine

Watch Janeane discuss some of the ways food has been used as medicine, in the past and and how it’s being used in the present.

A voyage to Australia in the 1850s… Foods and medical comforts

Sailing around the world on a sailing ship in the 1800s was a long and potentially dangerous journey; with limited fresh foods, cramped conditions, poor ventilation and questionable hygiene all having the potential to influence an individual’s health.

Go to the Downloads section of this step to access a document that lists the food and drink stores supplied on one of these voyages; a trip from the United Kingdom to Hobart Town in Australia (now known as Hobart) on a ship called the Great Tasmania in the mid-1800s.

These food and drink items were loaded on board for both the passengers and crew. The document also lists ‘Medical Comforts for Passengers’ made up from a range of foods and drinks.

While this document doesn’t list what these items were used for in regards to ‘medical comforts’, it does however give us an idea of the foods provided to passengers who may have fallen ill on the voyage.

Talking point

Within the Comments, consider sharing with other learners your thoughts on how food has been used as medicine.

• What foods do you eat now that historically were considered medicine?

Don’t forget to contribute to the discussion by reviewing the comments made by other learners, making sure you provide constructive feedback and commentary.