HAVE you ever thought about using vipers’ broth or snail milk water to cure a cold? Or how about a cure for the bite of a mad dog?

No, these aren’t fictional recipes from a witches’ handbook but real-life concoctions widely used in the early 18th century.

They’ve been the kept secret of Nicola Lillie’s family for the past three centuries but are now available to a wider audience. She has published it as a book, holding the launch at Wheatley Park School on Saturday.

Lavender Water and Snail Syrup – which refers to ingredients used in some cures – was compiled by Elizabeth Ambler in the early 18th century but was never published.

The original manuscript, which contains numerous Georgian cures and medicines, was handed down by Elizabeth to her daughter Anne, who moved into Holton Park in 1819 after it was built by her brother Elisah in 1805.

The site, which was used as a hospital for American soldiers during the Second World War, was bought by the local authority in 1948 with Holton Girls’ Grammar School opening a year later.

Holton Park Girls’ Grammar School then coverted to a comprehensive after merging with Shotover School secondary modern in 1971 which became Wheatley Park School.

The book has been passed down through a number of generations, most recently to Mrs Lillie who was handed the book in 1992 from her Aunt Diana.

Ms Lillie, who taught art at Oxford Brookes in the 1970s, said: “I remember receiving a parcel from my Aunt Diana which included an intriguing old recipe book.

“Inside the book, pasted to the front page was a very old black and white photo of a portrait of Elizabeth Ambler.

“Opposite the photo was the title ‘Elizabeth Ambler and her Physick Book’ and the title ‘this lady was the first wife of Elisah Biscoe and mother of Elisah Biscoe of Hilton Park, Oxford.”

Her daughter Laura helped illustrate the book, which includes more than 170 recipes of treatments.

One of the recipes includes Sir Walter Raleigh’s cure against the plague.

Some of the contributions were from the printed works of respected medical men, but most were collected from family members, friends and neighbours.

Contributors were asked to write their offering themselves rather than dictate them.

Ms Lillie, who now lives in Cornwall, said: “The book launch was a very memorable occasion. I’m amazed that it actually happened. We’ve even had family coming from Australia for it.”

Marilyn Yurdan, who lives in Abingdon, edited and transcribed the book, said: “I am very pleased about it and about 90 people turned up on Saturday which is great.”

The book, which is published by The History Press, costs £9.99.

How to beat the plague according to Sir Walter Raleigh

Take three pints of Malmsey of Canary sack

Boil in it one handful of sage and as much rue till one pint is wasted away

Then drain it and set it over the fire again

Put one dram of long pepper, half an ounce of ginger and a quarter of an ounce of beaten nutmeg together

Let it boil a little and then put one dram and a half of mithridate, one dram of Venice Treacle and a quarter of a pint of hot water

Take it three spoonfuls at a time every morning and evening

Family ties

1712: Elizabeth Ambler born

1746: She marries Elisah Biscoe

1749: Daughter Anne born

1754: Son Elisah born

1776: Elizabeth dies. Book is given to Anne

1805: Elisah builds Holton Park

1808: Anne’s daughter Mary married Thomas Tyndale and he took up living at Holton

1819: Anne and her two other daughters Elizabeth and Letitia moved to Holton. Book is passed to Letitia

1840s: House was then inherited by Mary’s son William Earle Tyndale. He married Elizabeth Sandeman and they had a large family of seven boys and one girl. Book is passed to William’s daughter Frances (Fanny)

1880s: One of the boys, Stafford, inherited Holton from William and he had eight children with his wife Ethel Frances Primrose. Book is passed to Stafford’s daughter Mollie

1911: Family leave Holton for Canada

1992: Book posted to Nicola Lillie from Canada