Today, campaigns to raise awareness of the menopause may offer some relief to many women who suffer symptoms. Julia Nurse explores how this challenging time in a woman’s life was ignored, misdiagnosed, or subject to some very odd ‘remedies’ throughout the medieval and early modern period.
Herbal medicines and the early modern menopause
Words by Julia Nurse
- In pictures
![Black and white etching showing a woman representing Wisdom tapping her head to indicate reason and giving Aristotle the key to the treasure-house of Reason, which is shown in the background as a store house filled with sacks.](https://images.prismic.io/wellcomecollection/0832e52a-6d5d-46ad-90a6-42c1b8e24274_01+jr4e9qvs+-+A+woman+representing+Wisdom+giving+to+a+philosopher+Aristotle+the+key+to+the+treasure-house+of+Reason_+to+distinguish+man+from+the+beasts.jpg?w=1338&auto=compress%2Cformat&rect=&q=100)
Aristotle was not far off when he estimated the age range in which menopause occurred. According to him, the onset could occur around the 40s and could last up to the 50th year. But many women will testify that their symptoms of menopause last much longer.
It took a woman to extend this timeframe. In the 11th century, Hildegard of Bingen, a German Benedictine abbess and polymath, claimed that “the menses” could cease as late as the 60th year, sometimes even later, when “the uterus begins to be enfolded”.
![Pen and wash drawing showing a standing female healer, perhaps of Trotula, clothed in red and green with a white headdress, holding up a urine flask to which she points with her right hand.](https://images.prismic.io/wellcomecollection/02f6e02f-a063-4304-8476-dc5fbdc1b9bf_03+ka9yjtq7+-+Trotula+of+Salerno+in+Book+of+learned+medical+treatises+with+some+additional+practical+texts+Miscellanea+Medica+XVIII+p65.jpg?w=1338&auto=compress%2Cformat&rect=&q=100)
Trota of Salerno, a 12th-century female physician and writer on women’s medicine, agreed with Hildegard. Trota was more specific: she said that menopause could appear later for women with a “high complexion”, who led a well-nourished, leisurely lifestyle. Such women spent much of their life pregnant, an exhausting physical strain on their bodies. But this was necessary, for to be seen as ‘infertile’ was considered shameful.
![Medieval woodcut depicting a man with his head in his arms leaning on a table, and a woman beside him wearing a red dress and looking away.](https://images.prismic.io/wellcomecollection/a24d2254-f87d-460a-927b-eeffe14f9d49_Deutsche+Kalendar_+1498%2C+Pierpont+Morgan+Library.png?w=1338&auto=compress%2Cformat&rect=&q=100)
Menstrual blood was deemed a corrosive force to men, with the power to damage a penis, curdle wine and make crops fail, to name but a few of the hazards. Premenopausal women were just as dangerous, as the build-up of blood could supposedly emit poisonous vapours. Women evoked a toxic power, regardless of where they were within the menstrual cycle.
![Medieval line drawing in two frames. The top frame shows a woman fainting and two people trying to catch her and support her down, as two others watch. In the second frame below, they appear to be trying to revive her with fire and by feeding her something from a bowl.](https://images.prismic.io/wellcomecollection/6ea2a618-fe7e-4bad-ba66-d1929f4c7a05_04-Bodleian-Library-MS-Ashmole-399_00069_fol-33r.jpeg.jpg?w=1338&auto=compress%2Cformat&rect=&q=100)
While there was lots of medical advice on how to prevent a dangerous build-up of humours by inducing menstruation (either to be fertile, or to abort unwanted pregnancies), menopause was largely glossed over, if not ignored completely.
![The patient, sitting in the centre, wears a white bonnet, a red cape lined with white fur, and a yellow satin dress. In her left hand she holds a letter, while her right she holds out to the physician who takes her pulse. On the right is a table covered with a Turkey rug: on it is the bowl of gruel which the old maid prepares, together with a pewter ewer and a dish. In the background, a bed with a canopy and curtains, and on the wall a landscape painting in a black frame.](https://images.prismic.io/wellcomecollection/9181564c-f149-4104-a252-f48a93874d7a_05+xcjq2bvs+-+A+physician+taking+the+pulse+of+a+young+woman_+while+an+old+maid+prepares+gruel+for+her.jpg?w=1288&auto=compress%2Cformat&rect=&q=100)
Older women themselves, as well as their symptoms, were relegated to the background. With no hormone replacement therapies or bone-enriching nutrition guidance available, it might be evident that a woman was experiencing menopause in her appearance. Not surprisingly, representations of older women were rarely flattering: loosening skin, increased facial hair and a stooping posture plagued most who reached their 50s. No longer useful in bearing children, a woman was seen as descending into maturity and obscurity with her “wandering womb”, which was believed to be lighter and more mobile once the reproductive function ceased.
![Black and white image of a book title page. Text reads: An Account of the causes of some particular rebellious distempers viz. the scurvey, cancers in women's breasts, &c. vapours, and melancholy, &c. weaknesses in women, &c. gout, fistula in ano, dropsy, agues, &c. : together with the vertues and uses of a select number of chymical medicines studiously prepar'd for their cure and adapted to the constitutions and temperaments of all ages and both sexes by an eminent practitioner in physick, surgery and chymistry ...](https://images.prismic.io/wellcomecollection/c4982dbf-cdff-4927-a1df-f6bd4362f013_06+An+Account+of+the+causes+of+some+particular+rebellious+distempers.jpg?w=1100&auto=compress%2Cformat&rect=&q=100)
Where menopause was discussed, women were blamed for it. Failure to ensure a regular monthly cycle was viewed as ‘neglect’, which could cause early menopausal symptoms. These were described in 1670 as “rebellious distempers”: “Vapour, Flushings all over the Body, the Whites in abundance [discharge], pursiness at Stomach, loss of Appetite, Cholicks, Faintings, or other the like Weaknesses and Indispositions, which if not timely remedied, brings Ulcers or Cancers in the Womb, Dropsies, Consumptions or other fatal Distempers.”
![Black and white image of a title page. Text reads: De morbis foemineis, the womans counsellour:, or, The feminine physitian, englarged modestly treating of such occult accidents and secret diseases, as are incident to that sex, which their too many modesty, too often to their sorrow, causes them to conceal from others : for a remedy whereof, here they are taught to be their own helpers ; especially in these particulars, of barrennesse and abortion ; of natural and unnatural births : of the suppression of the terms, the immoderate flux thereof, and other infirmities ... with a brief appendix, touching the kinds, causes and cures of dropsies and tympanics of all sorts, as also a supplement touching agues and feavers, usefully applicable to both sexes. Whereunto is added, the mans councellour, healing of ruptures and particular diseases belonging to men by R. Turner.](https://images.prismic.io/wellcomecollection/a686ed5a-0d57-491b-8307-999a7e24f231_07+De+morbis+foemineis_+the+womans+counsellour.jpg?w=547&auto=compress%2Cformat&rect=&q=100)
One physician of 1739 unhelpfully said that such weaknesses were due to the way that most women “liv’d miserably”, but made no suggestion of how to improve their lives and symptoms. By the mid-17th century, women had to “be their own helpers” according to ‘The Woman’s Counsellor’.
![Etching of an old woman dressed in rags holding a rosary in her left hand and a staff in her right. Her face is hidden behind a hood.](https://images.prismic.io/wellcomecollection/7a97c86d-99d7-426c-88c2-09f86099ca5e_08+hrygx6gx+-+An+old+woman+dressed+in+rags+holding+a+rosary+in+her+left+hand+and+a+staff+in+her+right.jpg?w=1221&auto=compress%2Cformat&rect=&q=100)
The menopausal woman was left to suffer in silence throughout the medieval and early modern period. Perhaps faith was the only form of consolation to a lot of women as they reached their middle age, as suggested in this 17th-century etching of a woman stooped over a stick, clutching her rosary beads.
![Black and white mezzotint image showing three women huddled eagerly around a medicine bottle. The bottle's label reads "Mother Gibson's Blessed Medicine"](https://images.prismic.io/wellcomecollection/2fed3dc3-815a-4784-952e-78bd60fc25af_09+mwj8skqf+-+Three+women+huddle+eagerly+around+a+medicine+bottle.jpg?w=1338&auto=compress%2Cformat&rect=&q=100)
With no support from medical men, many aging women seem to have taken matters into their own hands. Despite a lack of specific cures in medical texts, women very likely used and sold medicines, as suggested by this mezzotint from 1771 showing ‘Mother Gibson’ apparently promoting her own medicine to two other women.
![Photograph of four pharmacy vases from the early 19th Century, all cream-coloured and decorated with flowers and words indicating their contents., which include laudanum (far left) and balsamic pills (far right).](https://images.prismic.io/wellcomecollection/020ff2da-609b-4849-a7f2-0c3aa573b47b_10+co79638+-+dispensing-pot-for-mortons-balsamic-pills-italy-1771-1830-dispensing-pot.jpg?w=1338&auto=compress%2Cformat&rect=&q=100)
The only available remedies for menopause-related symptoms were cure-alls that claimed to treat a host of other ‘disorders’ too. Balsamic pills, made from ingredients such as crushed woodlice, flowers and spices, would have offered placebo relief at most, yet they were being sold by and for women in 18th-century London. Sellers include Mrs Hall, a perfumer on the Strand and Mrs Grigg, a milliner in Southwark.
![Black and white page of text from an 18th-century advertisement. Text reads: REMARKS on the USE and PROPERTIES of VARIOUS USEFUL FAMILY MEDICINES, invented by the late Dr ARNAUD, and Mr. GOULARD, now prepared and fold ONLY by Mrs. TURMEAU. Dr ARNAUD and GOULARD'S BALSAMIC CERATE of. SATURN. This preparation is happily adapted to eradicate all external disorders and all accidents incident to the human body, and has been found by its long use and great virtues, superior to any hitherto made use of, for all delicate and tender constitutions, and for all sores seated on the most tender organs, swellings, &c. It will assuage the most angry inflammations, itchings, irritations of the skin, whatever cause they may arise from, if immediately applied. It is excellent for Burns, Scalds, Cuts ; will prevent their blistering ; also, for stings of Gnats, wasps, and other insects. Sores, Ulcers, Tumours, Bruises, of whatever denomination, are by its application brought into a kind suppuration, and will speedily be cured, if advisable ; if not, will keep the wound in a gentle suppuration until it is proper to be healed, without the assistance of any plaster, so great are its virtues and faculty. Ulcerated legs, of many years standing, have been cured by lit in a short time, though deemed incurable. Open Cancers, the most terrible of all ulcers, will, if at all practicable, be happily cured; at least, it is the most effectual application for giving the afflicted patient relief. All kinds of eruptions whatever, pimples, tetters, and scorbutic complaints, will be cured by its application. Sore heads, either scaly or verminous, will be immediately cleansed, and many other diseases. Finally, it is gentle in its operations, agreeable both to sight and smell, and may safely be used to any part of the body of either sex, of all ages, and by all constitutions. This Cerate is of long established reputation, prepared and fold only by Mrs. TURMEAU, in pots of 10s. 6d. or 5s. 3d. and small boxes at 3s.](https://images.prismic.io/wellcomecollection/4c033fa2-bf17-4b1e-b55e-d889c00a8355_11+A+dissertation+on+the+properties+and+use+of+Goulard%27s+true+original+extract+of+saturn_+or+lead%2C+imported+from+Montpellier.png?w=408&auto=compress%2Cformat&rect=&q=100)
A similar multi-use ‘tonic’ was made and sold “only by Mrs Turmeau”. Advertised as a “family medicine”, one lethal ingredient in Turmeau’s “vegeto-mineral water” was lead, which would, no doubt, have caused more harm than good.
![Photograph of a book open showing two handwritten pages of recipes in 17th-century handwriting. Recipe on the left page is for "A most rare powder which the Countess of Barkes paid after the rate of ten pounds the ounce"](https://images.prismic.io/wellcomecollection/c53f393d-9ef3-4573-bfd0-32db97959059_12+d6xusz78+Lady%27s+Ayscough%27s+recipe.jpg?w=1338&auto=compress%2Cformat&rect=&q=100)
In Mrs Ayscough’s recipe book, from the late 17th century, references to women’s troubles are largely confined to recipes for miscarriage, “Hard travaile in child birth”, assistance with “afterpains”, “sore nipples” or just the “flowing of flowers” (periods). Recipes for general “agues” (fevers) or distempers might have relieved some menopausal symptoms. The Countess of Barke’s may have been one such remedy. Containing “Crabbs eyes”, “harts horne”, “amber” and “one dram of Bezer stone”, there was “not any sikness wherein it availeth not”, but it was a very rare and pricey powder at £10 an ounce – the equivalent of well over £1,000 today!
![Colour illustration on a slightly age-yellowed page showing a sprig of rosemary with light blue flowers.](https://images.prismic.io/wellcomecollection/c341e674-9b4b-49df-91d4-8abf02ec0a7a_13+A_curious_herbal_%28Page_159%29_BHL296519.jpg?w=600&auto=compress%2Cformat&rect=&q=100)
A more familiar remedy suggested in Ayscough’s manuscript included rosemary steeped in a syrup of roses, which was prescribed for the “meakness of the memory”, a tonic that would not be out of place today.
![1966 colour advertising insert for Organon's Androgynon for the menopause.](https://images.prismic.io/wellcomecollection/98438e4c-4ac7-49e9-b6dd-0079b252fe00_14+ygmsbvfp+-+En+el+climaterio+calma+clinica+y+plenitud+femenina_+Androgynon+prolongado+Protecci%C3%B3n+natural%2C+Gestanon+Organon.jpg?w=760&auto=compress%2Cformat&rect=&q=100)
Today, hormone replacement therapy is widely used to treat symptoms of menopause. But it doesn’t suit everyone, and many women also continue to turn to complementary and alternative medicines, including herbal therapies that have been used for hundreds of years. Medical literature is sparse, considering the number of people affected, but women are now less likely to be forced to “be their own helpers” unsupported, and doctors are calling for more studies so that (unlike their historic predecessors) they can discuss and treat menopause symptoms in an informed way.
About the author
Julia Nurse
Julia Nurse is a collections research specialist at Wellcome Collection with a background in Art History and Museum Studies. She currently runs the Exploring Research programme, and has a particular interest in the medieval and early modern periods, especially the interaction of medicine, science and art within print culture.