Friday Feature: Bush's Specific

In honor of Women’s History Month, Patch perused the publication Beadland to Barrow, a history of the county published by the Barrow County Historical Society, to learn more about the women who shaped and contributed to that history. One woman in particular stood out in the more than 400 pages — she created what is believed to have been the first product manufactured in the area. Meet Mrs. Laura Latimer Bush, creator of “Bush’s Specific.”

A mixture of castor oil, olive oil, mineral oil, aqua ammonia and red sassafras — a concoction to relieve burns, scalds, itching and spasmodic croup — is believed to have been the first product manufactured in the area now known as Winder.

Its discovery came out of everyday necessity in 1871 when Jug Tavern (now Winder) resident Laura Latimer Bush used the mixture as a treatment for a severe burn on the face of one of her children. The product that became known as “Bush’s Specific” was manufactured on the site where the historic Barrow County Courthouse now stands.

According to the historical society, the product became widely known and was sold across Georgia and into the Carolinas. Bush’s husband, Wiley Harrison Bush, traveled across the state selling it to drug stores and was known as “Dr. Bush.”

Production of Bush’s Specific continued even after Laura Bush’s death in 1911 with her daughter Cleo continuing the enterprise. Upon Cleo Bush’s retirement, the product was also retired.

A machine use to mix the product is exhibited at the .