Folky Friday - August 22, 2025 | Buttermilk, Honey, and Eternal Youth
Ozark folklorist Vance Randolph once recorded a curious belief: mountain folk swore that mixing buttermilk and honey could cure skin disease and restore a youthful glow.
Long before the modern beauty industry began selling “miracle serums” for hundreds of dollars a jar, home kitchens held their own remedies; humble, practical, and passed down through story.
Whether or not buttermilk and honey truly reversed time, the tradition reveals how people in the Ozarks blended food, medicine, and magic in everyday life. It’s a reminder that the line between folk wisdom and billion-dollar industries is thinner than we might think.
What other forgotten folk remedies deserve a second look today?
We shared this image as part of #FolkyFriday on Bluesky, where folklore lovers post weekly traditions, rituals, and superstitions. Join us there for the ongoing conversation—or explore more with our podcast, Lexicons Unbound, where folklore meets your algorithms.
Glowing Tombstones: Folklore Under a Texas Moon
