Exploring the history of healing in Gower through its nature, folk medicine and magical charms.
Upcoming Events at The Apothecary
New Research News
Labelling
We are currently busy labelling all of The Gower Apothecary display objects with information regarding what they are and how they were used. We hope you enjoy reading them!
Folk Cures
A large part of the research for The Gower Apothecary project has been to search and identify 'cures' which have been passed down through Gower families. We hoped to find at least 10 but we could never imagine how successful we would be in finding nearly 90. We are also still searching!!!
Healing Charms
Healing charms were used to help either to prevent sickness or to help cure it. Some would be carried in a pocket or some were placed in the home, specifically at certain points in the house.
Superstitions & Omens
It used to be believed that you could predict life events through superstitions and omens, specially from those in nature. Folk could predict who would succumb to death or who would survive it by reading these signs. Superstitions could also help you avoid a bad fate such as sickness as long as you heeded the warnings.
Healing Wells
Gower has a large amount of wells within the peninsula, many of them having been used as healing wells over the centuries. People believed the waters would cure ailments - some wells were used for specific ailments - and water would be drawn from them to drink or apply on the problem area for which a cure was sought.
Spotlight on an Object
Pestle and Mortar
The pestle and mortar was an essential tool of the apothecary trade. They were used to pound herbs, powders and chemicals together for use in medicines.
This lovely example is made of wood and dates back to the Victorian era.
The Gower Apothecary and its Medicine, Magic and Myth project would not have been possible without the financial support from AONB Swansea City Council, The Gower Society and Keep Wales Tidy. We would like to extend a huge thanks for their belief in us.
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