Ever Wondered Life In The Medieval Period?
By julito
@antonbunot (11093)
Calgary, Alberta
July 14, 2016 8:26pm CST
I do! So, this morning I decided to do some research. Here are some facts during the medieval period (5th century - 15th century):
1. SOAP - According to a Yahoo article there were no bath soaps like Dove, Palmolive, et al during the medieval period. So, what did they use when taking a bath? URINE! Ewww!
2. TOOTHPASTE and MOUTHWASH - There were no colgates and listerines. So, what did they use to brush and freshen their breaths? Burnt herbs like rosemary and mint for toothpaste and wine for mouthwash. Whew!
3. DEODORANT/antiperspirant - Of course, there were no deodorants like "secret" et al in the middle ages. So, what did they use to deodorize their armpits? Nothing! Everyone smelled funky. Yikes!
4. TOILET PAPERS - They used dry leaves to wipe off their bums. And what when they accidentally scraped some of their poops with their fingers? No doubt, they used urine and water to clean their hands. Ewww, again!
There are some more but I'd better stop before you puke. So, the medieval period was 500-plus years ago, do you think 500 years from now, people will be laughing at us as far as hygiene is concerned? Will people be wondering why we showered, used soaps, brushed our teeth, and even why we had sex?
What do you foresee?
19 people like this
19 responses
@sol_cee (38219)
• Philippines
15 Jul 16
@antonbunot Where have you been yourself?
1 person likes this
@sol_cee (38219)
• Philippines
15 Jul 16
@antonbunot Shoot. Sorry to hear that. Did you go to the Phils?
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
15 Jul 16
I wouldn't trust that yahoo article if I were you.
Soaps WERE used in medieval time, though was usually made from ash or even animal fat. They scented their WATER with rose and herbs as well.
King Henry VIII was even known to bathe with scents of Lavender and Orange.
Of course they didn't have deodorants and other toiletries such as paper to wipe with, but they did combat the stench as best they could.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
15 Jul 16
@antonbunot Either way soap had been invented in the medieval time period.
I"ll share two links if you don't mind?
and
http://www.godecookery.com/mtales/mtales08.htm
HOME ? SITE MAP ? A MEDIEVAL WOMAN'S LIFE - AT HOME - BIRTHS - WEDDINGS - DIVORCE - DEATHS - MANNERS - EDUCATION - EMPLOYMENT - RECREATION ? CLOTHES - ITEMS OF CLOTHING - DRESS ACCESSORIES ? FABRICS & SEWING ? BEAUTY, HEALTH & HYGIENE ? BIBLIOGRAPHY ? LINK
@antonbunot (11093)
• Calgary, Alberta
15 Jul 16
@ScribbledAdNauseum Well, maybe the royals had the luxury to use what the peasants could have not afforded.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
15 Jul 16
@antonbunot True but I think it might have been more than that as well. After all, roses grow all around and I can't see where a peasant couldn't pick their own flowers to infuse in steeped water.
I think it could have partially been a social standing as well. The ways of the past intigue me alot.
@antonbunot (11093)
• Calgary, Alberta
29 Jul 16
@SIMPLYD Ha, how did you know that is what I am doing? Hmmm, you must be doing, too. So we have something in common!
1 person likes this
@antonbunot (11093)
• Calgary, Alberta
15 Jul 16
@jaboUK He lost! Mayweather is too good a boxer!
1 person likes this
@antonbunot (11093)
• Calgary, Alberta
15 Jul 16
@jaboUK . . . LOL . . O, by the way, 2 years ago a Mexican boxer drank his urine before his match with American boxer Mayweather. The reason - Urine is full of vitamins.
1 person likes this
@antonbunot (11093)
• Calgary, Alberta
17 Jul 16
@RubyHawk I am sure they will be laughing at us driving cars to go to work instead of just flying like superman.
1 person likes this
@antonbunot (11093)
• Calgary, Alberta
25 Jul 16
@RubyHawk I wish we live 500 more years to find out how people live
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
17 Jul 16
@antonbunot Very likely. It would be fun to look back and see what's happening in the future.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72533)
• Philippines
16 Jul 16
And they didn't die of cancer and some weird diseases caused by the chemicals that are present in our toiletries! Yay!
You feeling better these days? Nice to have you back.
1 person likes this
@Vivenda (583)
• Portsmouth, England
29 Jul 16
Things seem to have looked up by the 16th century. I gather Queen Elizabeth I had a bath every 6 months whether she needed it or not!
And some nations look down on Europeans/Americans for using toilet paper. They wash themselves thoroughly after doing the deed!
As far as washing with urine is concerned: Are you extracting the micturition fluid?
1 person likes this
@antonbunot (11093)
• Calgary, Alberta
29 Jul 16
LOL . . . bathing every 6 month?! Just one day without taking the shower, I feel itchy! About washing with urine . . never tried yet. But I read a Mexican boxer drank a glass of his urine before a match. He lost though.
1 person likes this
@antonbunot (11093)
• Calgary, Alberta
15 Jul 16
@Lucky15 Come on, don't pass! Say what you foresee . . unless you don't foresee anything at all.
1 person likes this
@brokenbee (11090)
• Philippines
15 Jul 16
I remember during our time, we used guava stalks and leaves for our oral hygiene... hihihi jk!
1 person likes this
@antonbunot (11093)
• Calgary, Alberta
15 Jul 16
@brokenbee Come on, in the 70's and 80's Listerine was already sold in Ilocos. You are kidding, right? Maybe your late grandma used guava stalks and leaves to freshen her breath . . while your lolo - - agngail ti gawed ken mama!
1 person likes this
@brokenbee (11090)
• Philippines
16 Jul 16
@antonbunot hahaha yup, I was just kidding! Lol!
Yup, they used to chew betel nut. Lol
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
27 Jul 16
We are so blessed now; so many comforts in life they did not have in the past.
1 person likes this
@antonbunot (11093)
• Calgary, Alberta
27 Jul 16
@acelawrites - - Yeah, we are! But 500 years from now people may be wondering why we used soaps when showering. I hate to think that they may even be wondering why we showered at all!
1 person likes this
@antonbunot (11093)
• Calgary, Alberta
17 Jul 16
@Tr8600 But you may be a reincarnation of one that lived in the medieval period. Just kidding!
@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
15 Jul 16
I'm glad of the current state of sanitation. I did hear that back then they didn't wipe their fingers on napkins at the dinner table they wiped them on the family dog under the table.
1 person likes this
@antonbunot (11093)
• Calgary, Alberta
15 Jul 16
@koopharper hahaha! And the dogs licked their hands!
1 person likes this
@Macarrosel (7498)
• Philippines
15 Jul 16
I can't foresee anything right now for I am laughing while reading your discussion. . A big YUKS to all of that hahaha.
1 person likes this
@antonbunot (11093)
• Calgary, Alberta
15 Jul 16
@JudyEV Yeah, everyone smelt the same. So nobody was wondering - - "What's that smell!?"
1 person likes this
@ilocosboy (45156)
• Philippines
15 Jul 16
that was the way of life during those times, if we live in that times we may have experienced that too.
1 person likes this
@antonbunot (11093)
• Calgary, Alberta
15 Jul 16
I experienced similar thing when I was a kid . . . I used a small tree branch to wipe off my poop.