One Popular Condiment Was Once Sold As Medicine

Philadelphia scientist James Mease created the first tomato-based ketchup in 1812, and two decades later, the condiment was being used for medicinal purposes.

Ohio-based physician Dr. John Cook Bennett thought ketchup held the secret to curing diarrhea, indigestion, and liver damage, so he turned it into "tomato pills."

By 1837, Dr. John Bennett had partnered with drug manufacturer Archibald Miles to produce the pills. The pair called the product "Dr. Miles' Compound Extract of Tomato."

Soon, dozens of competitors made their own versions of the pills, most

of which were frauds. They were all abandoned by 1850, as studies showed they had little medicinal value.