Balm of America: Patent Medicine Collection

Balm of America Banner image, a collection of medicine

About the Collection
The Smithsonian Institution began to collect objects related to health and medicine in 1881. It first obtained examples of patent medicines in 1930, acquiring packages of Haarlem Oil (or Dutch Drops), Dr. John Hooper’s Female Pills, and Roche’s Herbal Embrocation. Since then the Smithsonian’s collection of patent medicines has expanded to over 4,000 products, dating from the 19th century to the present day.

About this Object Group
This group of objects features examples from this collection, found in the Division of Medicine and Science at the National Museum of American History. Each entry includes a photo of the object, the product’s name, maker’s name, place of manufacture, and a date range. Ingredients and therapeutic claims are included when indicated on the product packaging.

Browse
Browse the collection by therapeutic category. You can also use the keyword search (at right) which searches all fields of information.

More Information
Learn more about patent medicine history and how this history is revealed in examples from our collection. Questions or comments? Contact us.

Topic: Laxatives

Wyalin Physiological Laxative and Cholagogue

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Treatment of bilious constipation and as a tonic laxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Treatment of bilious constipation and as a tonic laxative
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1938
maker
John Wyeth and Brother
ID Number
MG.293320.1292
catalog number
293320.1292
accession number
293320

Hoff's Malt Extract (Tarrant's

A dietic and healing remedy recommended by European physicians for complaints of the chest and stomach; dyspepsia; obstinate cough; hoarseness, etc. and especially constipation; also a pleasant table beverageCurrently not on view
Description
A dietic and healing remedy recommended by European physicians for complaints of the chest and stomach; dyspepsia; obstinate cough; hoarseness, etc. and especially constipation; also a pleasant table beverage
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1889-1894
maker
Leopold Hoff
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup63]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Kickapoo Indian Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For constipation, sick headache, nervousness and the complexion.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: For constipation, sick headache, nervousness and the complexion.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1881-1906
ca 1900
maker
Healy & Bigelow
Kickapoo Indian Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1222
catalog number
293320.1222
accession number
293320

Uncle Ben Jo's Bell Tongue Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A blood purifier, purgative, diuretic alterative, cures all liver, stomach, bowels and kidney diseases, nervous debility, dropsy, scrofula, salt rheum, all skin diseases, worms, gravel and other bladder disease
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A blood purifier, purgative, diuretic alterative, cures all liver, stomach, bowels and kidney diseases, nervous debility, dropsy, scrofula, salt rheum, all skin diseases, worms, gravel and other bladder diseases, ague, cough, cold, heart disease, rheumatism, asthma, bilious and intermittent fevers, jaundice, chronic diarrhea, flatulency, internal inflammation, erysipelas, constipation, dyspepsia, brain diseases, vertigo or dizziness, gout, lumbago, leuccorrhea and all female diseases, epilepsy, swollen feet and limbs, boils, tumors, tetters, scaldhead, ringworm, ulcers and general debility
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
ca 1880
maker
F. Rumsey Gridley
ID Number
MG.M-10426.66
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Dr. Thacher's Laxative Compound of Senna and Rhubarb

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:LaxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
Laxative
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1936
maker
Thacher Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.06
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Brandreth's V.U. Pills

[No indications or uses for this product are provided on its packaging.]Currently not on view
Description
[No indications or uses for this product are provided on its packaging.]
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1898-1902
Associated Name
Brandreth Pill Works
maker
Brandreth Pill Works
ID Number
MG.M-10413.19
catalog number
M-10413.19
accession number
246707

Syrup of Figs and Elixir of Senna

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To help cleanse the system, to assist in overcoming habitual constipation.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: To help cleanse the system, to assist in overcoming habitual constipation.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1918
maker
California Fig Syrup Company
ID Number
MG.314016.015
catalog number
314016.15
accession number
314016

Dr. Flint's Quaker Bitters

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A stomach tonic. For nervousness, catarrh of the head and stomach, scrofulous humor, canker, pimples and humors on the face, summer complaints, female weaknesses. Restores the appetite, purifies the blood.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A stomach tonic. For nervousness, catarrh of the head and stomach, scrofulous humor, canker, pimples and humors on the face, summer complaints, female weaknesses. Restores the appetite, purifies the blood. For dyspepsia, constipation, sick headache, dizziness, low spirits caused by disordered stomach, rheumatism, neuralgia, kidney and liver complaints, bilious attacks, piles, malaria, torpidity of the system, languor, general debility, fever and ague.
date made
1885-1908
maker
Quaker Bitters Company
ID Number
MG.M-12151.01
catalog number
M-12151.01
accession number
271464

666 Liquid

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:666 Liquid will check malaria in 7 days.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
666 Liquid will check malaria in 7 days. Also for symptomatic cold relief, simple headaches and neuralgia due to colds, or occasional constipation and as a laxative in these conditions.
General Directions: Adult: 1 Tablespoonful in water 3 times a day, before or after meals as agreeable; Children, ages 6-12: 1 Teaspoonful.
Malarial Dose: Adults, 1 tablespoonful in water 5 times a day (3 or 4 hours apart) for 7 days. Children, ages 6-12, 1 teaspoonful in water.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1938 - 1943
maker
Monticello Drug Company
ID Number
MG.274347.187
catalog number
274347.187
accession number
274347

Lane's Cold Tablets Laxative

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Successfully used in the treatment of colds, grip, headache and as a gentle laxative for the bowelsCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Successfully used in the treatment of colds, grip, headache and as a gentle laxative for the bowels
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1927
maker
Kemp and Lane
ID Number
MG.293320.3019
accession number
293320
catalog number
293320.3019

Milk of Magnesia

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Laxative, sour stomachCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Laxative, sour stomach
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
After 1906
maker
National Pharmacy Company
ID Number
MG.274347.219
catalog number
274347.219
accession number
274347

Egyptian Regulator Tea

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:A remedy for constipation and biliousness. Keeps the bowels clean.Currently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
A remedy for constipation and biliousness. Keeps the bowels clean.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1900
maker
Egyptian Drug Company
ID Number
MG.M-10416.03
catalog number
M-10416.03
accession number
246707

Dr. J. Walker's Vinegar Bitters

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:Dyspepsia, indigestion, rheumatism, diarrhea, consumption, catarrh, bronchitis, neuralgia, headache, boils, ulcers, sore eyes, dropsy, scald head, paralysis, erysipelas, scrofula, tetter, skin diseases,
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
Dyspepsia, indigestion, rheumatism, diarrhea, consumption, catarrh, bronchitis, neuralgia, headache, boils, ulcers, sore eyes, dropsy, scald head, paralysis, erysipelas, scrofula, tetter, skin diseases, bilious, remittant and intermittant fevers, pains in the back, shoulders, heart and chest, liver and kidney troubles, stomach ache, jaundice, gout and fits, dizziness, colds and coughs, croup, palpitation of the heart, lead colic, nausea, biliousness, constipation, piles, worms
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1870-1890
maker
R. H. McDonald Drug Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1284
catalog number
293320.1284
accession number
293320

Bromo Quinine Cold Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:For sinus and nasal congestion, headache, feverish feeling, muscular aches and pain, temporary constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer, or as found in contemporary medical literature, are:
For sinus and nasal congestion, headache, feverish feeling, muscular aches and pain, temporary constipation
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1960-1970s
maker
Bristol-Myers Company
ID Number
MG.313462.082
catalog number
313462.082
accession number
313462

Adler-I-Ka Intestinal Evacuant

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For gas in stomach or bowel and for occasional constipation and heartburnCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For gas in stomach or bowel and for occasional constipation and heartburn
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1930
after 1902
maker
Adlerika Company
ID Number
MG.M-10426.71
catalog number
M-10426
accession number
246707

Garfield Tea Laxative

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Is composed wholly of herbs and is a remedy for occasional Constipation. Flush the bowels with Garfield Tea. Garfield Tea is taken by many users with satisfactory results.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: Is composed wholly of herbs and is a remedy for occasional Constipation. Flush the bowels with Garfield Tea. Garfield Tea is taken by many users with satisfactory results. It is a splendid laxative and diuretic.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
c. 1939
depicted
Garfield, James A.
maker
Garfield Tea Company
ID Number
MG.254865.04
accession number
254865
catalog number
254865.04

Sagraphen Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:A reliable and efficient laxative and catharticCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
A reliable and efficient laxative and cathartic
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
after 1938
maker
Bristol-Myers Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1362
catalog number
293320.1362
accession number
293320

D & H Little Liver Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For torpid liver, dyspepsia, indigestion, sick headache, constipation and biliousnessCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For torpid liver, dyspepsia, indigestion, sick headache, constipation and biliousness
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1920
maker
Doty and Humphrey Drug Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1317
catalog number
293320.1317
accession number
293320

Kennedy's Laxative Cough Syrup

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitisCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For coughs, colds, croups, la grippe, whooping cough, and bronchitis
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1906-1908
maker
E. C. DeWitt and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10766 [dup18]
catalog number
M-10766
accession number
256193

Dr. Carter's K & B Tea

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
S. C. Wells and Company
ID Number
MG.254865.20
accession number
254865
catalog number
254865.20

Dilaxin

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: laxativeCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are: laxative
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1922
maker
Raladam Company
ID Number
MG.313462.021
catalog number
313462.021
accession number
313462

Lydia E. Pinkham's Liver Pills

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:For constipation, biliousness and torpidity of the liverCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
For constipation, biliousness and torpidity of the liver
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1908-1918
maker
Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.293320.1342
catalog number
293320.1342
accession number
293320

Heneph's Blue Flag Laxative Tablets

The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:The prevention of appendicitis and the relief of constipationCurrently not on view
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided by the manufacturer are:
The prevention of appendicitis and the relief of constipation
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1920
maker
Heneph Company Inc.
ID Number
MG.293320.1304
catalog number
293320.1304
accession number
293320

Dr. Hand's Pleasant Physic

The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:For relief of infants, children, or adults suffering from constipation. Especial value during pregnancy, after confinement, and in obstinate constipation.
Description
The indications or uses for this product as provided on its packaging:
For relief of infants, children, or adults suffering from constipation. Especial value during pregnancy, after confinement, and in obstinate constipation. Stimulates the liver, tones the bowels, and does not gripe.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1920
maker
Hand Medicine Company
ID Number
MG.M-12151.04
accession number
271464
catalog number
M-12151

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.