How did people get rid of lice in the Middle Ages? - briefly
Medieval people combated head lice with heated metal lice‑combs, herbal baths (e.g., rosemary, lavender, or vinegar rinses), and frequent laundering of garments in boiling water. Monastic rules frequently required regular inspection and the application of these methods to keep infestations under control.
How did people get rid of lice in the Middle Ages? - in detail
In medieval societies, infestations were tackled through a combination of personal hygiene, chemical agents, mechanical removal, and communal regulations.
Personal grooming relied on fine-toothed combs made of bone, ivory, or metal. Regular combing dislodged insects and their eggs, especially when performed after washing the hair with hot water. Bathing practices varied by region; monasteries and wealthier households employed heated water and soap derived from animal fat and ash, which killed parasites on contact.
Herbal preparations formed a major chemical approach. Dried rosemary, lavender, sage, and thistle were crushed and mixed with vinegar or wine to create rinses and poultices. The volatile oils in these plants acted as repellents, while the acidity of vinegar disrupted the lice’s exoskeleton. In some areas, ash laced with salt was sprinkled onto hair and scalp, creating a desiccating environment that proved lethal to both adult insects and nits.
Thermal methods included steam and smoke. Clothes and bedding were hung over open fires or placed in heated chambers, exposing lice to temperatures above 50 °C for sufficient periods to ensure mortality. Smoke generated from burning juniper, sage, or other aromatic woods was used to fill rooms; the inhaled particulates suffocated the parasites and left a lingering deterrent scent.
Mechanical removal extended to shaving or cutting hair short, a practice common among soldiers and laborers who could not afford extensive grooming. Cutting hair reduced the habitat for lice and made subsequent combing more effective.
Institutional measures reinforced individual efforts. Guilds and monasteries imposed regular inspections of clothing and bedding, levying fines on households that failed to maintain cleanliness. Some towns enacted ordinances requiring the burning of infested garments and the periodic replacement of communal blankets. In plague‑affected regions, quarantine of contaminated dwellings limited the spread of lice‑borne diseases, indirectly curbing infestations.
Overall, medieval lice control combined direct physical removal, plant‑based chemicals, heat and smoke treatments, hair management, and community enforcement to achieve sustained reduction of the parasite.