sourwood switch
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [X] [Y] [Z] [FULL LIST]
sourwood switch noun A stem or limb from a sourwood tree believed to have curative power, especially over childhood respiratory diseases.
1939 Hall Coll (Chestnut Branch NC) I have cured it [=the croup]. Get you a sourwood switch and then have it a-standing up at the door, and measure your stick, and if the young one grows, why, hit’ll cure it. 1956 Hall Coll (Newport TN) She'd go get a sourwood switch she'd call it, and she would measure her children to cure the croup and the tizik.