patent medicine

Patent medicine refers to over-the-counter remedies that became popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries. These products were often marketed as cures for various ailments, claiming to provide quick or miracle results. Many patent medicines were sold with proprietary formulas, meaning the ingredients were kept secret, and their effectiveness was often unproven or exaggerated. They could contain ingredients like alcohol, herbs, or even potentially harmful substances. Today, the term is largely historical, as regulations ensure that medicinal products are tested for safety and efficacy before reaching consumers.