Herb - DragonBear
|Herb |Governed |Part Used |References |
|Anise | |seeds |Hot in the 3rd degree, dry in the 3rd degree, heat the stomach, liver, spleen, expel wind, |
| | | |resist poison |
| | | | |
| | | |Annis seeds, heat and dry, ease pain, expel wind, cause a sweet breath, help the dropsy, resist |
| | | |poison, breed milk, and stop the Fluor Albus in women, provoke venery, and ease the head-ache. |
| | | | |
| | | |Turner's Herbal, 1551, says that 'Anyse maketh the breth sweter and swageth payne.' ... |
| | | |Carminative and pectoral. ...The stimulant and carminative properties of Anise make it useful in|
| | | |flatulency and colic. It is used as an ingredient of cathartic and aperient pills, to relieve |
| | | |flatulence and diminish the griping of purgative medicines, and may be given with perfect safety|
| | | |in convulsions. |
| | | | |
| | | |J: Anise, a licorice scented ferny annual. The seeds were used to treat gas and to induce |
| | | |sweating, as well as in sweets and candies. |
|Elecampane |Mercury |root |Hot in the 3rd degree, heat the breast and lungs, heat the stomach, resist poison |
| | | | |
| | | |The fresh roots of Elecampane preserved with sugar, or made into a syrup or conserve, are very |
| | | |effectual to warm a cold windy stomach, or the pricking therein,... The dried root made into |
| | | |powder, and mixed with sugar, and taken, serves to the same purpose,... The decoction of the |
| | | |roots in wine, or the juice taken therein, kills and drives forth all manner of worms in the |
| | | |belly, stomach, and maw; ... |
| | | | |
| | | |Enulæ Campanæ Helenij. Of Elecampane. It is hot and dry in the third degree, wholesome for the |
| | | |stomach, resists poison, helps old coughs, and shortness of breath, helps ruptures, and provokes|
| | | |lust; in ointments, it is good against scabs and itch. |
| | | | |
| | | |'Julia Augustus,' said Pliny, 'let no day pass without eating some of the roots of Enula, |
| | | |considered to help digestion and cause mirth.' ... Diuretic, tonic, diaphoretic, expectorant, |
| | | |alterative, antiseptic, astringent and gently stimulant.... |
| | | |Gerard tells us: 'It is good for shortnesse of breathe and an old cough, and for such as cannot |
| | | |breathe unless they hold their neckes upright.' And further: |
| | | |'The root of Elecampane is with good success mixed with counterpoisons, it is a remedy against |
| | | |the biting of serpents, it resisteth poison. It is good for them that are bursten and troubled |
| | | |with cramps and convulsions.' |
| | | |'The wine wherein the root of Elicampane hath steept,' says Markham (Countrie Farme 1616), 'is |
| | | |singularly good against the colicke.' |
| | | | |
|Fennel |Mercury |leaves |heat the stomach, heat the breast, heat the liver, expel wind, resist poison |
| |Virgo | | |
| | | |Fennel is good to break wind, to provoke urine, and ease the pains of the stone, and helps to |
| | | |break it. ... The leaves, or rather the seeds, boiled in water, stays the hiccough, and takes |
| | | |away the loathings which oftentimes happen to the stomachs of sick and feverish persons, and |
| | | |allays the heat thereof. ... Both leaves, seeds, and roots thereof are much used in drink or |
| | | |broth, to make people more lean that are too fat. |
| | | | |
| | | |Fæniculum. Fennel, encreaseth milk in nurses, provokes urine, breaks the stone, easeth pains in |
| | | |the reins, opens stoppings, breaks wind, provokes the menses; you may boil it in white wine. |
| | | | |
| | | |On account of its aromatic and carminative properties, Fennel fruit is chiefly used medicinally |
| | | |with purgatives to allay their tendency to griping and for this purpose forms one of the |
| | | |ingredients of the well-known compound Liquorice Powder. Fennel water has properties similar to |
| | | |those of anise and dill water: mixed with sodium bicarbonate and syrup, these waters constitute |
| | | |the domestic 'Gripe Water,' used to correct the flatulence of infants. Volatile oil of Fennel |
| | | |has these properties in concentration. |
|Horehound |Mercury |leaves |Intemperate and hot in the 2nd degree, dry in the 3rd degree, heat the breast, heat the liver, |
| | | |heat the spleen, cleanse, resist poison |
| | | | |
| | | |A decoction of the dried herb, with the seed, or the juice of the green herb taken with honey, |
| | | |is a remedy for those that are short-winded, have a cough, or are fallen into a consumption, |
| | | |either through long sickness, or thin distillations of rheum upon the lungs. ... It also helps |
| | | |pains of the sides. ... A decoction of Horehound (saith Matthiolus) is available for those that |
| | | |have hard livers |
| | | | |
| | | |Marrubium album, is common Horehound. Hot in the second degree, and dry in the third, opens the |
| | | |liver and spleen, cleanses the breast and lungs, helps old coughs, pains in the sides ptisicks, |
| | | |or ulceration of the lungs, it provokes the menses, eases hard labour in child-bearing, brings |
| | | |away the placenta. |
| | | | |
| | | |White Horehound has long been noted for its efficacy in lung troubles and coughs.... |
| | | | |
| | | |J: Horehound, a wooly short periennal. Horehound cough syrups and drinks were prescribed for |
| | | |chesty and head-colds and coughs. |
|Hyssop |Jupiter |leaves |heat the breast, heat the liver, extenuate |
| |Cancer | | |
| | | |taken also with oxymel, it purges gross humours by stool; and with honey, kills worms in the |
| | | |belly; and with fresh and new figs bruised, helps to loosen the belly, |
| | | | |
| | | |Hysopus. Hysop. Helps coughs, shortness of breath, wheezing, distillations upon the lungs: it is|
| | | |of a cleansing quality: kills worms in the body, amends the whole colour of the body, helps the |
| | | |dropsy and spleen, sore throats, and noise in the ears. |
| | | | |
| | | |Expectorant, diaphoretic, stimulant, pectoral, carminative. The healing virtues of the plant are|
| | | |due to a particular volatile oil, which is stimulative, carminative and sudorific. It admirably |
| | | |promotes expectoration, and in chronic catarrh its diaphoretic and stimulant properties combine |
| | | |to render it of especial value. It is usually given as a warm infusion, taken frequently and |
| | | |mixed with Horehound. Hyssop Tea is also a grateful drink, well adapted to improve the tone of a|
| | | |feeble stomach, being brewed with the green tops of the herb, which are sometimes boiled in soup|
| | | |to be given for asthma. |
|Licorice |Mercury |root |Hot in the first degree, heat the breast and lungs |
| | | | |
| | | |Liquorice boiled in fair water, with some Maiden-hair and figs, makes a good drink for those |
| | | |that have a dry cough or hoarseness, wheezing or shortness of breath, and for all the griefs of |
| | | |the breast and lungs, phthisic or consumptions caused by the distillation of salt humours on |
| | | |them. It is also good in all pains of the reins, the stranguary, and heat of urine. ... The |
| | | |juice of Liquorice is as effectual in all the diseases of the breast and lungs, the reins and |
| | | |bladder, as the decoction. |
| | | | |
| | | |Glycyrrhizæ. Of Liquorice; the best that is grows in England: it is hot and moist in |
| | | |temperature, helps the roughness of the windpipe, hoarsness, diseases in the kidneys and |
| | | |bladder, and ulcers in the bladder, it concocts raw humours in the stomach, helps difficulty of |
| | | |breathing, is profitable for all salt humours, the root dried and beaten into powder, and the |
| | | |powder put into the eye, is a special remedy for a pin and web. |
| | | | |
| | | |The action of Liquorice is demulcent, moderately pectoral and emollient. ... Fluid Extract of |
| | | |Liquorice is employed almost exclusively as a vehicle for disguising the taste of nauseous |
| | | |medicines, having a remarkable power of converting the flavour of acrid or bitter drugs, such as|
| | | |Mezereon, Quinine or Cascara. ... |
|Marjoram |Mercury |leaves |Intemperate and hot in the 2nd degree, dry in the 2nd degree, discuss, expel wind, ease pain |
| |Aries | | |
| | | |Our common Sweet Marjoram is warming and comfortable in cold diseases of the head, stomach, |
| | | |sinews, and other parts, taken inwardly, or outwardly applied. The decoction thereof being |
| | | |drank, helps all diseases of the chest which hinder the freeness of breathing, and is also |
| | | |profitable for the obstructions of the liver and spleen.... The decoction thereof made with some|
| | | |Pellitory of Spain, and long Pepper, or with a little Acorns or Origanum, being drank, is good |
| | | |for those that cannot make water, and against pains and torments in the belly; |
| | | | |
| | | |Amaracus, Majorana. Marjoram. Some say 'tis hot and dry in the second degree, some advance it to|
| | | |the third. Sweet Marjoram, is an excellent remedy for cold diseases in the brain, being only |
| | | |smelled to helps such as are given to much sighing, easeth pains in the belly, provokes urine, |
| | | |being taken inwardly: you may take a dram of it at a time in powder. Outwardly in oils or |
| | | |salves, it helps sinews that are shrunk; limbs out of joint, all aches and swellings coming of a|
| | | |cold cause. |
| | | | |
| | | |Its properties are stimulant, carminative, diaphoretic and mildly tonic; a useful |
| | | |emmenagogue.... In the commencement of measles, it is useful in producing a gentle perspiration |
| | | |and bringing out the eruption, being given in the form of a warm infusion, which is also |
| | | |valuable in spasms, colic, and to give relief from pain in dyspeptic complaints. |
| | | | |
| | | |J: Marjoram, a tender perennial used in cooking, in spiced wine (hypocras), in brewing beer, and|
| | | |in medicines to 'comfort' the stomach. |
|Mint |Venus |leaves |Intemperate and hot in the 3rd degree, dry in the 3rd degree, heat the stomach, heat the womb, |
| | | |discuss |
| | | | |
| | | |It suffers not milk to curdle in the stomach, if the leaves thereof be steeped or boiled in it |
| | | |before you drink it. Briefly it is very profitable to the stomach. ... Simeon Sethi saith, it |
| | | |helps a cold liver, strengthens the belly, causes digestion, stays vomits and hiccough; it is |
| | | |good against the gnawing of the heart, provokes appetite, takes away obstructions of the liver, |
| | | |and stirs up bodily lust; ... The powder of it being dried and taken after meat, helps |
| | | |digestion, and those that are splenetic. |
| | | | |
| | | |The virtues of the Wild or Horse Mint, such as grow in ditches (whose description I purposely |
| | | |omitted, in regard they are well known) are serviceable to dissolve wind in the stomach, to help|
| | | |the cholic, and those that are short-winded, |
| | | | |
| | | |Mentha sativa. Garden Mints, Spear Mints. Are hot and dry in the third degree, provoke hunger, |
| | | |are wholesome for the stomach, stay vomiting, stop the menses, help sore heads in children, |
| | | |strengthen the stomach, cause digestion; outwardly applied, they help the bitings of mad-dogs. |
| | | |Yet they hinder conception. |
| | | |Mentha aquatica. Water Mints. Ease pains of the belly, headache, and vomiting, gravel in the |
| | | |kidnies and stone. |
| | | |Methastrum. Horse-mint. I know no difference between them and water mints. |
| | | | |
| | | |the French varieties of M. piperita are not identical with those cultivated in England. The |
| | | |variety cultivated in France is known as 'Red Mint' and can grow on certain soils where the true|
| | | |Peppermint does not grow... Peppermint oil is the most extensively used of all the volatile |
| | | |oils, both medicinally and commercially. The characteristic anti-spasmodic action of the |
| | | |volatile oil is more marked in this than in any other oil, and greatly adds to its power of |
| | | |relieving pains arising in the alimentary canal. |
| | | |From its stimulating, stomachic and carminative properties, it is valuable in certain forms of |
| | | |dyspepsia, being mostly used for flatulence and colic. It may also be employed for other sudden |
| | | |pains and for cramp in the abdomen; wide use is made of Peppermint in cholera and diarrhoea. |
| | | |It is generally combined with other medicines when its stomachic effects are required, being |
| | | |also employed with purgatives to prevent griping. Oil of Peppermint allays sickness and nausea, |
| | | |and is much used to disguise the taste of unpalatable drugs, as it imparts its aromatic |
| | | |characteristics to whatever prescription it enters into |
| | | | |
| | | |J: Mint, of all kinds were used in food and medicine. Mint vinegar was used as a mouthwash; mint|
| | | |sauce restored the appetite. Used for all stomach ailments and in treating venom and wounds. |
|Pennyroyal |Venus |leaves |Intemperate and hot in the 3rd degree, dry in the 3rd degree, heat the head, heat the reins and |
| | | |bladder, heat the womb, extenuate, resist poison |
| | | | |
| | | |Dioscorides saith, that Pennyroyal makes thin tough phlegm, warms the coldness of any part |
| | | |whereto it is applied, and digests raw or corrupt matter. ... It eases head-aches, pains of the |
| | | |breast and belly, and gnawings of the stomach; |
| | | | |
| | | |Pulegium. Pennyroyal; hot and dry in the third degree; provokes urine, breaks the stone in the |
| | | |reins, strengthens women's backs, provokes the menses, easeth their labour in child-bed, brings |
| | | |away the placenta, stays vomiting, strengthens the brain, breaks wind, and helps the vertigo. |
| | | | |
| | | |Pennyroyal Water was distilled from the leaves and given as an antidote to spasmodic, nervous |
| | | |and hysterical affections. It was also used against cold and 'affections of the joints.' ... Its|
| | | |action is carminative, diaphoretic, stimulant and emmenagogic, and is principally employed for |
| | | |the last-named property in disorders caused by sudden chill or cold. |
| | | |It is also beneficial in cases of spasms, hysteria, flatulence and sickness, being very warming |
| | | |and grateful to the stomach. |
|Rosemary |Sun |leaves |Intemperate and hot in the 2nd degree, dry in the 2nd degree, heat the head, heat the heart, |
| |Aries | |heat the joints, ease pain |
| | | | |
| | | |It is an herb of as great use with us in these days as any whatsoever, not only for physical but|
| | | |civil purposes. The physical use of it (being my present task) is very much used both for inward|
| | | |and outward diseases, for by the warming and comforting heat thereof it helps all cold diseases |
| | | |both of the head, stomach, liver, and belly.... It is very comfortable to the stomach in all the|
| | | |cold griefs thereof, helps both retention of meat, and digestion, the decoction or powder being |
| | | |taken in wine. It is a remedy for the windiness in the stomach, bowels, and spleen, and expels |
| | | |it powerfully. It helps those that are liver-grown, by opening the obstructions thereof. |
| | | | |
| | | |Rosmarirum. Rosemary, hot and dry in the second degree, binding, stops fluxes, helps stuffings |
| | | |in the head, the yellow jaundice, helps the memory, expels wind. See the flowers. Serapio, |
| | | |Dioscorides. |
| | | | |
| | | |Tonic, astringent, diaphoretic, stimulant. Oil of Rosemary has the carminative properties of |
| | | |other volatile oils and is an excellent stomachic and nervine, curing many cases of headache. |
| | | |... The young tops, leaves and flowers can be made into an infusion, called Rosemary Tea, which,|
| | | |taken warm, is a good remedy for removing headache, colic, colds and nervous diseases, care |
| | | |being taken to prevent the escape of steam during its preparation. It will relieve nervous |
| | | |depression |
| | | | |
| | | |J: Rosemary: a shrubby tender periennial with pine-scented leaves, symbolic of wisdom and |
| | | |faithfulness. The flowers, boiled in tea, were an all-purpose medicine; the leaves boiled in |
| | | |white wine made a face wash. |
|Sage |Jupiter |leaves |Intemperate and hot in the 2nd degree, dry in the 2nd degree, heat the stomach, heat the liver, |
| | | |heat the womb |
| | | | |
| | | |Matthiolus saith, it is very profitable for all manner of pains in the head coming of cold and |
| | | |rheumatic humours: as also for all pains of the joints, whether inwardly or outwardly, and |
| | | |therefore helps the falling-sickness, the lethargy such as are dull and heavy of spirit, the |
| | | |palsy; and is of much use in all defluctions of rheum from the head, and for the diseases of the|
| | | |chest or breast. |
| | | | |
| | | |Salvia. Sage: hot and dry in the second or third degree, binding, it stays abortion in such |
| | | |women as are subject to come before their times, it causes fruitfulness, it is singularly good |
| | | |for the brain, strengthens the senses and memory, helps spitting and vomiting of blood: |
| | | |outwardly, heat hot with a little vinegar and applied to the side, helps stitches and pains in |
| | | |the sides. |
| | | | |
| | | |Stimulant, as tringent, tonic and carminative. Has beenused in dyspepsia, but is now mostly |
| | | |employed as a condiment. ... It is highly serviceable as a stimulant tonic in debility of the |
| | | |stomach and nervous system and weakness of digestion generally. |
| | | | |
| | | |J: Sage: a green woody periennial, symbolic of age and wisdom. The leaves were used in salads |
| | | |and green sauces and as a spring tonic. "A man shall live for aye who eats sage in May." 'Cleans|
| | | |out' the system. |
|Thyme |Venus |leaves |Intemperate and hot in the 3rd degree, dry in the 3rd degree, heat the stomach, heat the breast,|
| | | |heat the womb, extenuate |
| | | | |
| | | |It purges the body of phlegm, and is an excellent remedy for shortness of breath. It kills worms|
| | | |in the belly,... It is so harmless you need not fear the use of it....The herb taken any way |
| | | |inwardly, comforts the stomach much, and expels wind. |
| | | | |
| | | |Thymum. Thyme. Hot and dry in the third degree; helps coughs and shortness of breath, provokes |
| | | |the menses, brings away dead children and the after birth; purges flegm, cleanses the breast and|
| | | |lungs, reins and matrix; helps the sciatica, pains in the breast, expels wind in any part of the|
| | | |body, resists fearfulness and melancholy, continual pains in the head, and is profitable for |
| | | |such as have the falling-sickness to smell to. |
| | | | |
| | | |Antiseptic, antispasmodic, tonic and carminative. ... Thyme tea will arrest gastric |
| | | |fermentation. It is useful in cases of wind spasms and colic, and will assist in promoting |
| | | |perspiration at the commencement of a cold, and in fever and febrile complaints generally. |
| | | | |
| | | |J: Thyme: a low, creeping perienial with tiny leaves, symbolic of courage. Used in cooking, and |
| | | |in baths and as an astringent. Burned as to fumigate against infection and to scent sacrifices. |
None "moist" or "cold". None that "cool" parts of the body. None that bind or open. None purging.
Of Medicines hot in the second degree
These are something hotter than the natural temper of a man.
Use. Their use for such whose stomachs are filled with moisture, because their faculty is too hot and dry; they take away obstructions or stoppings, open the pores of the skin, but not in the same manner that such do as are hot in the first degree, for they do it without force, by a gentle heat, concocting, and expelling the humours, by strengthening and helping nature in the work; but these cut tough humours, and scatter them by their own force and power when nature cannot.
Of Medicines hot in the third degree
Those which attain the third degree of heat, have the same faculties with those before mentioned; but as they are hotter, so are they more powerful in their operations, for they are so powerful in heating and cutting, that if unadvisedly given they cause fevers.
Use. Their use is to cut tough and compacted humours, to provoke sweat abundantly; hence it comes to pass they all of them resist poison.
Of drying Medicines
Drying medicines have contrary faculties to these, viz. to consume moisture, stop fluxes, and make such parts dry as are slippery, they make the body and members firm, when they are weakened by too much moisture, that so they may perform their proper functions.
Yet although the members be strengthened by drying medicines, they have notwithstanding their own proper moisture in them, which ought to be conserved, and not destroyed, for without it they cannot consist. If then this moisture be consumed by using, or rather over use of drying medicines, the members can neither be nourished, nor yet perform their proper actions.
Such medicines as are dry in the third degree, being unadvisedly given, hinder the parts of the body they are appropriated to, of their nourishment, and by that means brings them into consumption.
Besides, There is a certain moisture in the body of man, which is called radical moisture, which being taken away, the parts must needs die, seeing natural heat and life also consists in it, and this may be done by too frequent use of medicines dry in the fourth degree. And it may be this was the reason of Galen's writing, that things dry in the fourth degree, must of necessity burn; which is an effect of heat, and not of dryness, unless by burning, Galen means consuming the radical moisture.
The use then of drying medicines, is only to such bodies, and parts of the body, as abound with moisture, in which observe these rules.
1. If the moisture be not extreme, let not the medicine be extremely drying.
2. Let it be proper to the part of the body afflicted, for if the liver be afflicted by moisture, and you go about to dry the brain or heart, you may sooner kill than cure.
A Modern Herbal, first published in 1931, by Mrs. M. Grieve
In Two Volumes
Dover Publications, Inc.
New York
This Dover edition, first published in 1971, is an unabridged republication of the work originally published by Harcourt, Brace & Company in 1931
International Standard Book Number: 0-486-22798-7
Libary of Congress Catalog Card Number: 72-169784
Manufactured in the United States of America
Dover Publications, Inc
180 Varick Street
New York, N.Y. 10014
This electronic version was first published on the World Wide Web in 1995, by Ed Greenwood, Arcata California, USA.
J: Jadwiga
Copyright 1999, Jennifer A. Heise
A selection of herbs used in medieval times
Local Spices:Savory Seeds in The Middle Ages
Anise (Pimpinella anisum)
This is the favorite digestive/carminative of the period. Anise was one of the comfit seeds mentioned by Rumpolt.It was used in mustards and other sauces. Apparently anise seed was added to the doubly-baked breads or rusks called binavice or biscotum which were called "soldier's bread" by Syrennius, who "noted that anise seed was normally added not so much for the flavor as for health reasons" (Dembinska, Food and Drink of Medieval Poland). Banckes' Herbal suggests it to treat gas, induce sweating, and as diuretic and/or laxative, but says, "And the seed must be parched or roasted in all manner medicines; then it will work the rather." William Turner (16th cent): "Anyse maketh the breath sweeter and swagethe payne." The Roman Pliny mentioned it in bread. Edward IV of England reputedly had sachets of anise and orris root to perfume his linen.(Clarkson)
Herbs of Eastern Europe
(known in Medieval and Renaissance periods)
Elecampane (Inula helenium) (Russian "ninepowers", Ukrainian "wonderful power" -- Zevin)
Zevin says, "Elecampane is one of the oldest herbs in the Russian tradition. . . Reference to this herb can be traced to the seventeenth century, when the court physician to Czar Michael Fedorovich prescribed this herb for the czar and his family. An herbal dated at 1672 states that 'The root of the Ninepow shoudl be crushed and mixed with raw honey . . . and can be taken in the morning and the evening. It will calm down coughing and expel any thick phlegm inside the throat. The same root cooked in wine and sweetened with sugar is good, and when taken internally helps people breathe easier.' "(p. 72)
Fennel, Florence (Fennel bulb, sold in the US as Anise root or Fennel root)
"Szymon Syrennius mentioned Florence Fennel as well, and even included a recipe for pickling it in vinegar and salt so that the 'leaves and bulbs last all year around.' He further noted that fennel was used in making mead. We know from linguistic evidence, however, that fennel was a latecomer to the Polish kitchen garden since its name in Polish, koper wl/oski, literally 'Italian dill'" Dembinska 122
Knab: "In the Middle Ages, fennel was grown in the monastery gardens and on the estates of Kazimierz the Great (1333-1370). There were over 200 recipes for its use, including that of an aphrodisiac. . . Marcin of Urzedow wrote: 'fennel is known by everyone in Italy. They use it in baked cakes and bread.'" p. 114. Zevin claims that fennel was used in Russia before the importation of Greek herbals.
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
"Marcin of Urzedow noted that 'hyssop is an excellent herb; scarce is the person who does not have it in his garden.' It appeared in Poland in the 16th century and was spread by the Benedictine and Cistercian monks who grew it in monastery gardens" Knab, p. 122. Probably used both as a cleansing medicine and in cooking. Hildegarde of Bingen suggests eating it cooked and pulverized to purge bad humors.
Marjoram, sweet (Origanum majorana)
Sweet marjoram is used in Rumpolt's recipe for a marinade of veal. It may also have been used in Polish sausages and other foods.
Knab says, "Marjoram was brought to Poland in the 16th Century . . and became extremely popular both in the kitchen and stillroom. Syreniusz recalls that it was 'sown and planted on windows in various pots." p. 135. Zevin describes its use in Russia as a deodorizer, a practice that might be period.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Peppermint was apparently used in Poland for the same medicinal purposes as in the rest of the world:
Syreniusz: "Drunk in red wine it will stop the hiccups, vomiting and coughing fits and also warm the stomach" also leaves could be applied for insect stings and headaches. (Knab, p. 147.)
Zevin erroneously dates the introduction of Peppermint to Europe to the 18th century, suggesting that it was not known in Russia.
Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis)
Rosemary, a tender perennial, may have been known in Poland & Hungary during late medieval times. Both Queen of Hungary water and Lavendogra traditionally include Rosemary, and it was associated with weddings, used in wreaths and other decorations.
Sage (Salvia Officinalis)
Knab says that sage was brought to Poland in the 16th century, and that "three sage leaves ingested in the morning were thought to protect one the whole day 'against the plague and pestilential airs.'" (p. 157) It was probably used to treat throat ailments as a drink or gargle.
Thyme (Thymus sp.)
Knab says thyme came to Poland with Bona Sforza. However, Zevin says, "In addition to its use as a folk remedy, the leaves were added to sacrificial holy fires by Slavic tribes before the advent of Christianity. They considered the aromatic smoke a sign that the sacrifice was accepted by the gods, " going on to say that after Russia's conversion to Christianity, thyme was/is used to decorate icons of the Virgin Mary, and it was known as "our lady's herb". (p.140)
Medieval Use of Herbs--
a class presented in the East Kingdom Pages program
By Jadwiga Zajaczkowa
Marjoram, a small-leaved plant related to oregano with a lighter flavor. Used in cooking, in spiced wine (hypocras), in brewing beer, and in medicines to 'comfort' the stomach.
Mint of all kinds was used in food and medicine. Mint vinegar was used as a mouthwash; mint sauce restored the appetite. Used for all stomach ailments, in fevers and in treating venom and wounds. Wilfred Strabo said in the 10th century that there were as many types of mint as the sparks that fly from Vulcan's forge-- in other words, lots!
Rosemary: pine-scented leaves, symbolic of wisdom and faithfulness. The flowers, boiled in tea, were an all-purpose medicine. A 1525 herbal suggests it boiled in wine for a face wash-- a sort of medieval Stridex. Putting the leaves under your pillow guarded against nightmares. The ashes of the wood, burnt, were used for cleaning teeth. Brides and grooms exchanged rosemary wreaths instead of rings; rosemary was also planted or strewn on graves. Rosemary was burned as an incense to kill or prevent infection, including the plague. Rosemary is said to have blue flowers because the Virgin dried her cloak on it on the way to Egypt.
Sage: a shrub with gray-green sharp-tasting leaves, symbolic of age and wisdom. The leaves were used in salads and green sauces and as a spring tonic. "A man shall live for aye who eats sage in May." A tonic that is supposed to 'clean out' the system. In the Renaissance, the English ate sage butter in May.
Thyme: a low, creeping plant with tiny leaves, symbolic of courage. Used in cooking, and in baths and as an astringent. Burned as to fumigate against infection and to scent sacrifices. There are lots of varieties of thyme; they all have different scents. Legend has it that caraway-scented thyme was used so often in cooking 'barons' (big roasts) of beef that they are called 'herba barona'. Supposedly ladies embroidered a thyme sprig in flower, along with a bee, on favors for their favorite knights.
Anise. Smells and tastes like licorice. The seeds were used to treat gas and to make people sweat. They were also used in sweets and candies.
Jadwiga's Stillroom Book
On the Medieval and Renaissance Use of Herbs
Mentha species
Contrary to rumor, medieval people did recognize different varieties of mint, including garden mint, peppermint, and pennyroyal. Culpeper cites both green mint and pepper, along with water and horsemint, as well as pennyroyal. However, as mint hybridizes at the drop of a leaf, "Walafrid Strabo wrote in his Hortulus, 'Mint I grow in abundance in all its varieties. How many there are I might as well try to count the sparks from Vulcan's furnance beneath Etna.'" (Clarkson, Green Enchantment).
Mint was considered soveriegn for stomach aliments....
Banckes' mentions mint, white mint and red mint (garden mint). Banckes suggests a mouthwash of mint steeped in wine or vinegar for toothache, and rubbing the powder on the teeth for a "sweet mouth"; also suggests it to restore appetite and for all digestive disturbances. Culpeper says Spear or Garden mint 'applied to the forehead and temples... eases pains of the head"; applied with salt, it "helps the bites of mad dogs..."; "Mint is an herb that is useful in all disorders of the stomach, as weekness, squeamishness, loss of appetite, pain, and vomiting", and he strongly recommends the spirit (distillation) as even better. Peppermint he suggests even more strongly for stomach complaints, "for which there are few remedies of greater efficacy." Parkinson suggested it "in baths with Balm and other herbs" (Clarkson, Magic Gardens).
Rosemary:
Banckes' and Culpeper say it was used for stomach troubles and to clear the head (Culpepper). It was supposed to improve the memory, if consumed or smelled, and to sharpen the mind (Culpeper, Clarkson), also against headaches.
Primary Sources:* An Herbal [1525] Also known as Banckes' Herbal. Author unknown, published 1525. Facsimile & transcripted edition ed. by Larkey & Pyles. (NY: Scholars' Facsimiles and Reprints, 1941)
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(Cindy Renfrow)
John Gerard's
Herball or General Historie of Plantes
1633
Mint - pages 679-682.
"Mentha. Mints.
Garden Mint taken in meat or drinke warmeth and strengtheneth the stomacke... and causeth good digestion."
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