Medieval wellness is back—and it’s all over your FYP

A new study reveals that many modern wellness trends have roots in early medieval medical practices. Researchers analyzed medieval manuscripts and found remedies similar to those promoted online today. Natural remedies, such as beef tallow and castor oil, are gaining popularity both online and in mainstream culture. Some medieval hacks, like peach pit and rose oil for headaches, are supported by modern science. A 9th-century hair treatment involved herbal-infused salt and vinegar, followed by a lizard ash salve. Topical ointments and detox cleanses using herbs and distilled alcohols mirror current TikTok trends. Many health and beauty hacks were found in the margins of non-medical books. This suggests a widespread interest in wellness during the "Dark Ages". People were actively seeking cures and observing the natural world, documenting information wherever possible. The researchers suggest that people in the Dark Ages would have loved TikTok.