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Historical Herbs

Many modern medicines have their origins in
plants and herbs still used today,
here are some of the most enduring...

Achillea millefolium
Yarrow

Named after Greek hero, Achilles, who purportedly used the plant on the battlefield to staunch the blood of his warriors, Yarrow is often used to treat cuts and bleeding wounds. Its bitter virtues support the gut and liver. It can help regulate the menstrual cycle and can relieve colds and congestion.

Köhler, F.E., Köhler’s Medizinal Pflanzen (1883-1914).jpg

Boswellia serrata
Frankincense

Brought over from the Middle East, Frankincense can be used for medicines, essential oils and incense.  It is a powerful reliever of pain. It can reduce inflammation and can improve healing post-surgery. It has decongestant and expectorant properties helpful in relieving symptoms of respiratory illness. It has been used topically to treat skin infections, boils and burns.

Woodville, W., Hooker, W.J., Spratt, G., Medical Botany, ed. 3 (1832).jpg

Galium aparine
Cleavers

A humble hedgerow plant native to Europe, cleavers, or goosegrass, is member of the bedstraw family valued for their scent as a strewing herb in the Middle Ages.  It is a powerful lymphatic supporter, shifting metabolic waste through the kidneys and improving overall urinary and circulatory health.  It is cooling and soothing, and can be used internally as a spring detox herb, or topically as a wash for various skin disorders.

Thomé, O.W., Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz (1886-1889).jpg

Allium sativum
Garlic

Garlic is an excellent antimicrobial detox herb. It has been used since the first century AD for heart disease and infections. Louis Pasteur noted its antibiotic virtues in 1858. It can be used to treat infections of many kinds including colds and flus. It can help increase circulation and improve overall immune health.

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Euphrasia officinalis
Eyebright

Eyebright, a delicate flowering plant, usually found on dry, sunny hillsides has long been famed for its ability to soothe and remedy eye problems. It is soothing to the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and upper respiratory tract. Its bitter properties can improve digestive health, and favoured by the Tudors as an addition to wine for this reason. It can also be used to treat catarrh, sore throats and mouth ulcers,

Amédée Masclef, ATLAS DES PLANTES DE FRANCE, Paris 1891.jpg

Hypericum perforatum 
St John's Wort

A perennial that blooms in midsummer around St Jon's Day (24th June). According to the Doctrine of Signatures, the small 'dots' on the leaves containing the red pigment indicates its power to stop bleeding and heal wounds.  It has long been used to treat 'melancholia', ward off magical influences that cause disease  It is anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. It has been used to treat wounds, cuts and bruises. 

Vietz, F.B., Icones plantarum medico-oeconomico-technologicarum (1800-1822).jpg

Inula helenium
Elecampane

Sacred to the ancient Britons, and protective against the magic of elves, it was also known as Elfdock. Infused in oil it was treatment for snake and spider bites by the Romans. Culpeper recommended it to warm a cold and windy stomach, and it is still used as a warming expectorant for chesty coughs and colds

Bessler, B., Hortus Eystettensis (1613).jpg

Boswellia serrata
Frankincense

Brought over from the Middle East, Frankincense can be used for medicines, essential oils and incense.  It is a powerful reliever of pain. It can reduce inflammation and can improve healing post-surgery. It has decongestant and expectorant properties helpful in relieving symptoms of respiratory illness. It has been used topically to treat skin infections, boils and burns.

Woodville, W., Hooker, W.J., Spratt, G., Medical Botany, ed. 3 (1832).jpg

Galium aparine
Cleavers

A humble hedgerow plant native to Europe, cleavers, or goosegrass, is member of the bedstraw family valued for their scent as a strewing herb.  It is a powerful lymphatic supporter, shifting metabolic waste through the kidneys and improving overall urinary and circulatory health.  It is cooling and soothing, and can be used internally as a spring detox herb, or topically as a wash for various skin disorders.

Thomé, O.W., Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz (1886-1889).jpg

Lavandula spp.

Lavender

Spanning over two thousand years of documented use, Lavender is one of the most well known herbal plants,

Dodoens [Dodonaeus ], R., Stirpium historia commentariorum. Imagines ad vivum expressae (1

Euphrasia officinalis
Eyebright

Eyebright, a delicate flowering plant, usually found on dry, sunny hillsides has long been famed for its ability to soothe and remedy eye problems. It is soothing to the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and upper respiratory tract. Its bitter properties can improve digestive health. It can also be used to treat catarrh, sore throats and mouth ulcers,

Amédée Masclef, ATLAS DES PLANTES DE FRANCE, Paris 1891.jpg

Hypericum perforatum 
St John's Wort

A perennial that blooms in midsummer around St Jon's Day (24th June). According to the Doctrine of Signatures, the small 'dots' on the leaves containing the red pigment indicates its power to stop bleeding and heal wounds.  It has long been used to treat 'melancholia', ward off magical influences that cause disease  It is anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. It has been used to treat wounds, cuts and bruises. 

Vietz, F.B., Icones plantarum medico-oeconomico-technologicarum (1800-1822).jpg
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