Alexis Soyer, in his Pantropheon, states: Whoever wishes to preserve his health must eat every morning, before breakfast. young onions, with honey.1″ Such a treat is assuredly not very tempting : besides, this rather strong vegetable leaves after it a most unpleasant perfume, which long reminds us of its presence ; wherefore this recipe has not met with favour, and, indeed, it is much to be… Continue Reading…
The lettuce that our Leech wants in her leech’s bag is Lactuca virosa, the wild lettuce. Lactuca sativa has had most of the active principles bred out of it although Aelfrida would not have hesitated to use the sativa in a pinch, especially for lesser complaints. It has been commonly used as a sedative and a sleep inducer. The plant gives… Continue Reading…
The stinging nettle has walked through history hand in hand with the human race. Traces of this herb have been found in the earliest of human habitation sites. It has been recognized as a potent medicine for much of that time. From the Leechbook of Bald, written in the ninth century, we find this recipe: A wound salve ; take heads… Continue Reading…
