The common wisdom is that willow has always been used for pain relief. I’ve been told that it was recommended by Hippocrates, Galen and Dioscorides for that. However, when I sat down to research this post I was unable to find much mention of willow in the books of these men. The mentions that I did find mostly recommended it to… Continue Reading…
The Carnation has been used medicinally for approximately 2000 years, at least in China. This site gives a good account of its use there. Gerard tells us of the carnation:“The conserve made of the floures of the Clove Gillofloure and sugar, is exceeding cordiall,and wonderfully above measure doth comfort the heart, being eaten now and then.”and“It prevaileth against hot pestilentiall fevers, expelleth… 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…
