In the medieval view of medicine, respiratory illness was seen as a “loss of internal fire.” The “old practice” involved a Lipid-Herbal Barrier. Before the invention of modern vapor rubs that use petroleum and synthetic menthol, healers used Mutton Suet—the hardest and most stable of animal fats—to create a “shield” over the chest.
They would infuse this fat with “hot” herbs like Hyssop and Thyme, then beat in raw honey. When applied to the skin, this mixture trapped the body’s natural heat, creating a localized “fever” on the chest that helped the lungs stay warm and productive. The honey acted as a drawing agent, pulling “stuck fluids” toward the surface to be cleared.
The Benefits
- Antispasmodic Action: Hyssop contains essential oils that help relax the muscles of the bronchial tubes, easing the strain of a heavy cough.
- Thermal Regulation: Unlike modern oils that can feel “greasy” and cold, traditional suet creates a breathable, waxy layer that reflects the body’s own infrared heat back into the tissues.
- Terpene Delivery: The volatile oils in the herbs are preserved perfectly in the fat-honey matrix, allowing them to be inhaled slowly throughout the night as the body heat releases them.
The Remedy: The Monk’s Honeyed Hyssop Shield
A traditional chest-warming balm, free of refined sugars and industrial oils.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Mutton Suet or Beef Tallow (the traditional “hard” fats)
- 1 tbsp Raw Honey
- 1 tbsp Dried Hyssop (or Thyme if Hyssop is unavailable)
- 1/2 tsp Pine Resin (scraped from a tree or food-grade essential oil)
- A pinch of Black Pepper (to stimulate surface circulation)
Instructions
- The Fat Infusion: Melt the suet or tallow in a double boiler over low heat. Add the hyssop and the black pepper.
- The Digestion: Let the herbs “digest” in the warm fat for at least 2 hours. The fat should take on an herbaceous, spicy scent.
- The Resin Dissolve: Stir in the pine resin until it is completely melted into the oil.
- The Strain: Filter the liquid through a fine cloth into a ceramic bowl.
- The Honey Union: Wait until the fat starts to “cloud” at the edges as it cools. Whisk in the raw honey with a small wooden whisk or fork. You want to whip it until the mixture is pale and airy.
- The Application: Rub a thick layer over the chest and the upper back (between the shoulder blades) before sleep. Cover with a warm wool flannel cloth to maximize the “heat-trap” effect.
