Do You Remember Indian Brandy?

[Tilly2]

Having looked at the Medicine Cabinet Past & Present thread, I got to thinking about some old remedies.

It took me a while to get the name Indian Brandy into my head. Whenever, I had a tummy ache, my mum would give me some Indian Brandy in hot water. I really helped and had the additional bonus of tasting nice.

You can't seem to get it any more.

[Mamyalynne]

It was usually spelt 'Brandee' to distinguish it from the spirit.

[Mamyalynne]

Ingredients listed here...

http://www.expresschemist.co.uk/product_2074_indian-brandee-100ml.html

It was very soothing.

[bhg481]

I'm in my early 70s and remember Indian Brandee when I was very young. I seem to remember a picture of a Red Indian in a feathered headdress on the label.

[Buenchico]

I've never heard of it but that's possibly not surprising as Wikipedia says that it was a Northern thing:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Brandy

This might be of interest to you:
https://thehistoryofwednesbury.wordpress.com/tag/indian-brandy/

It seems though that the correct spelling (or possibly a spelling switched to by the manufacturer to avoid problems under the Trades Descriptions Act 1968) is actually 'Indian Brandee':
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/318a5OmrJrL.jpg

Further, it seems that it is still available but only on prescription:
http://www.lloydspharmacy.com/en/indian-brandee-oral-liquid

[Tilly2]

This is what is says on Wiki

Indian Brandy is a traditional herbal remedy for the relief of flatulence, colic and heartburn. It was dispensed by corner shops in the North and Midlands of industrial England until the early 2010s. Mildly alcoholic.

People from darn sarf won't know what it is. :-)

[dannyk13]

Yes, I can remember that we always had a bottle in the medicine cabinet.It was very effective for stomach upsets.

[Mamyalynne]

Cardamoms are great for upset tums and you can incorporate them into a soothing drink.

[hc4361]

I remember it and we always used black jack to draw splinters out,

[woofgang]

Yes I remember it and a similar thing called Dr Collis Browns. Collis Browns was available until last year when it seems to have stopped being made. I have got a small stash of it because its the best thing I have ever found for when my IBS is bad.

[Tilly2]

Thanks for that Wednesbury link, Buen. I really enjoyed reading that.

Fennings Fever Cure! I had forgotten about that. Vile, vile stuff!

[Buenchico]

For Woofgang:
https://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/j-collis-browne-apos-s-mixture/prd-33ke

[bhg481]

My mother used to dig splinters out of me using a needle sterilised in a gas flame; she always claimed it had to be a needle and a pin wasn't safe. I never understood why (and still don't).

[Tilly2]

I still use a needle for splinters. I just run it under the hot tap.

A pin's not slender enough.

[MargoTester]

We always used to have J Collis Browne in the medicine cupboard for diarrhoea. Does anyone remember that?

[woofgang]

Chris thank you! Last time I looked for it, no one had it and the messages I got on the websites were not just that it was out of stock but that they were no longer stocking it. It has a tiny amount of morphine in it hence you can only buy one bottle at a time and many places won't stock it at all.

[dannyk13]

bhg I think needles are made of stainless steel but pins aren't.

[Togo]

//Indian Brandy is a traditional herbal remedy for the relief of flatulence//

Does it still work Tills? It would have been caused by the Andrews Liver Salts no doubt. I have a jar of Vics Vaporub tucked away if you are in need.(or mildly curious)

[Tilly2]

Togo, I don't know if it still works, cos' I haven't got any.

Thank you, but you can keep the Vicks in the cupboard. I have always hated that stuff. It was the bane of my life as a child. That, and sulphur tablets. Ugh!

[Togo]

Haha Tills. I bet your liberty bodice had a lovely apothecary aroma. (^_*)

[Tilly2]

Didn't have one. Had to make do with a floorcloth with arm holes cut out.