We all know that medicine isn't always the sweetest tasting thing in the world, but how do you feel about snail syrup? No, this isn't something we've plucked from the pages of a Roald Dahl recipe book; this Revolting Remedy was a very real method that people used to treat their sore throats in the past.

What is it exactly?

Snail syrup is exactly what it sounds like – the mucilaginous essence of snails that people would consume to treat their sore throats and coughs.

When did people do this?

Snail Syrup was traditionally used as treatment in Ancient Greece but it was still being used right up until the Middle Ages. In fact, a company in Chile still stock a cough syrup which contains the scrumptious slug syrup.

Why on earth would they do it?

Snail syrup might not sound like the tastiest of treatments, but the mucilaginous essence of snails was believed to cure a multitude of illnesses, including rheumatism, rickets and even cold sores. However, snail mucus is actually a mixture of protein and glycolic acid which means it does have regenerative qualities, so there is a little method behind this madness.

How did they do it?

People would casually venture down to their gardens and pluck the juiciest snails out as if it were the most normal thing in the world. The most common way to make snail syrup was to cut the snails open and allow the mucus to drain into a bowl before adding sugar in order to sweeten the mixture and give it the consistency of a syrup. In 1728, a doctor wrote the following recipe for this charming concoction:

“To make a syrup of snails, take Garden snails, early in the morning while the dew is upon them, one pound; take off their shells; slit them; and with half a pound of sugar, put them in a bag; hang them in a cellar and the syrup will melt and drop through; which keep for use. It possesses in the best manner all the virtues of snails."

Thanks but no thanks! Any alternatives?

If a cup of Snail Syrup isn't appealing to you, then you can always try one of our more conventional cough cures.

First off, you need to differentiate whether you have chesty cough or a dry cough. Typically, a dry cough will be felt as a tickle in the back of the throat that incurs coughing, whereas a chesty cough will usually produce phlegm. If you need help diagnosing your cough then speak to a pharmacist today. From tablets and capsules to throat sprays and liquids, Online Pharmacy UK stock a wide range of cough treatments which are all free of snail syrup! You can also try throat lozenges to ease the effects of a sore throat or we have a selection of alternative health products that may also help.

Keep out of reach of reach of children. If you are unsure about your health condition always speak to a medical professional. All content on this website is for information purposes only and should not be taken as professional medical advice. Always read the label prior to using any product.