Mahogany medicine chest with 6 labelled glass bottles and 69 labelled glass phials of homoeopathic medicines, by J.P. Berry of Northampton, 19th century

This mahogany medicine chest contains 69 small glass vials with handwritten labels and six large bottles. Homeopathy relies on the idea that ‘like cures like’. For instance, if you are vomiting, your treatment will be something that causes vomiting but in a smaller, much diluted dose. One of the large bottles is labelled “Urtica urens”. This treatment is made from a dwarf stinging nettle and is used on burns and skin irritations, the same effect the plant has on the body.