Rum as Medicine

Now then, if there’s one drink with a story or two behind it, it’s rum. And while today we mostly think of rum as a good tipple for a night out or a cosy evening in, this sweet and fiery drink once had a far more serious job – as medicine. Yep, that’s right. So grab a glass, settle in, and let me tell you about how rum became the cure-all, at least in the minds of sailors and superstitious folk alike.

Sailors, Scurvy, and Superstition

If you’ve ever heard about sailors and their rum rations, you’ll know rum wasn’t just a drink – it was a lifeline. Back in the days when ships sailed the high seas, fresh food was scarce, and illness was common, rum stepped in as both medicine and morale-booster.

Most famously, rum was thought to keep the dreaded scurvy at bay. Sailors believed the rum ration helped ward off this painful condition caused by lack of vitamin C. Of course, the rum itself didn’t cure scurvy, but it did make the bitter lime juice sailors later mixed into their ration easier to swallow, giving birth to the nickname “limeys.”

Chasing Away Evil Spirits

But it wasn’t all about practical health benefits. Sailors also reckoned rum kept evil spirits away- both the supernatural and the liquid kind! If you felt a chill or thought bad luck was lurking about, a quick swig of rum was believed to offer instant protection.

In parts of the Caribbean, this went even further. Rum was regularly sprinkled around doorways, or even poured directly onto the earth, to keep away mischievous spirits and dark magic. Nothing like a good splash of rum to show bad spirits who’s boss!

Rum, Warmth, and a Good Night’s Sleep

Beyond scurvy and evil spirits, rum was the sailor’s favourite medicine for everything from colds and chills to aches and insomnia. A small measure of rum before bedtime was seen as just the ticket for restful sleep. And let’s face it – after weeks at sea, sleeping comfortably was often a tall order, so who can blame ’em for seeking solace in a warming sip?

Conclusion

Though today we’d hardly call rum a miracle medicine, there’s no denying its fascinating history as a remedy wrapped up in superstition and hope. So next time you pour yourself a dram, raise a toast to the old sailors who swore by their rum ration – and maybe, just maybe, ward off a few spirits of your own.