- #1
Thread Owner
Bottle Vitals
| Embossing | Date | Color | Shape | Size (Width x Height x Depth) | Value* |
| Lydia E Pinkham's Vegetable Compound | 1880s | Aqua | Rectangular flask with neck | 3.75" x 6.5" x 1.875" | $12.00 |
Bottle Views (click to enlarge):
| Front | Back | Side | Side | Bottom |
 |  |  |  |  |
| Lydia E Pinkham's Vegetable Compound | C 6 |
Lydia Pinkham started out making an herbal tincture in her kitchen that blossomed into a thriving business. She started selling her remedies in the 1870s, and turned them into a household name by the end of the century. This particular remedy was a tincture of various roots (unicorn, life root, black cohosh, pleurisy), fenugreek seed, and of course, alcohol. It was designed as a remedy for all sorts of "female problems" ranging from menstrual cramps to hot flashes. It also made claims of strengthening the ovaries, improving the chances of conception, and at one point was associated with the slogan "there's a baby in every bottle".
The advertising and packaging included her picture, and she encouraged women to write to her with their problems, assuring them that no male would ever read what they wrote. Sort of an 1800's "Dear Abby", perhaps? She would even answer the letters, continuing to do so even after her death in 1883. (It was later revealed that it was her daughter-in-law answering the letters.). It was apparently widely believed to be effective, and according to participants in one city council meeting in 1970, it was on par with Swamp Root, but not quite as good as goat milk. However, recent studies have found it to be no more effective than a placebo.
The formula changed over the years, particularly the alcohol content, but it continues to be sold to this day. You can find it at Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid, as well as on Amazon. Here's what it looked like back in the day, vs the modern equivalent that still carries her portrait
I forgot to get a photo of this one before cleaning, but again all I used was soap and water and several scrub brushes.
*Value is based on sold eBay listings as of the posting date, and varies with condition.
