Diaphoretics

/daɪæfəˈrɛtɪks/ noun

Definition

Plural of diaphoretic; medicinal substances or drugs that induce or promote sweating, historically used in medical treatments.

Etymology

From diaphoretic (Greek dia- + phoresis + -etic), with the plural -s, referring to a class of medical remedies used since ancient and medieval times.

Kelly Says

Medieval physicians prescribed diaphoretics like hot peppers, ginger, and certain herbs to treat everything from fevers to mental illness—interestingly, many of these substances genuinely do raise your body temperature, showing our ancestors observed real biological effects even if their explanations were wrong.

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