Dictionary of plant lore

475 Pages·2007·2.371 MB·English

by  Donald Watts

Dictionary of Plant Lore
By Donald Watts BA MIL
Bath, United Kingdom
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vii
PREFACE
Sadly, this book is published posthumously. It results from the author’s interest in plant and tree lore and ethnobotanical
studies developed over several decades of research and teaching. Although the author was checking the first print at the
time of his death, any inaccuracies or omissions would undoubtedly have been rectified if he had lived a few months
longer, and I can only apologise for these.
Throughout the book there are references to recipes of the past use of plants for a variety of uses—some of which would
be considered highly imaginative or mythical today. It goes without saying that such recipes should not be attempted by
the lay person, but should be seen in the light of man’s evolutionary understanding of the potential of plants within the
culture and environment that he lived.
The author had a very considerable collection of antiquarian books, but I would like to acknowledge the excellent
support he received from the London Library and West Wiltshire Libraries. I would also like to thank Sheila Tomkinson
for her generous help with proof-reading.
S. Watts
ix
CONTENTS

Preface vii
● A 1
● B 21
● C 53
● D 97
● E 127
● F 143
● G 159
● H 179
● I 206
● J 213
● K 217
● L 220
● M 235
● N 263
● O 269
● P 283
● Q 311
● R 312
● S 335
● T 376
● U 395
● V 400
● W 408
● X 439
● Y 440
● Z 448
Bibliography 449
Abortion 1 Abortion
A have been used in Europe (Lewis & Elvin-Lewis).
A volatile oil made from the wood of VIRGINIAN
JUNIPER, a close relative of Savin, has been used
for abortions (Weiner); if this is the substance
Abies alba > SILVER FIR
known as Red Cedar Wood Oil, then it must have
Abies balsamea > BALSAM FIR been a thoroughly dangerous process (Usher). It is
claimed that the Blackfoot Indians used the rhizome
ABORTION
of SWEET FLAG to cause abortions (Johnston).
At the same time as being an aid to conception,
That sounds highly unlikely, considering the plant’s
TANSY leaves were chewed by unmarried pregnant
universal usage as a mild carminative.
girls to procure an abortion (Porter. 1969). Indeed, the
poisonous oil of tansy has long been taken to induce RUE should never be taken if the patient is preg-
abortion (Grigson). Exactly the same ambivalence is nant (Gordon. 1977) – with good reason, for it
shown in beliefs concerning PARSLEY. It is an aid has often been used for abortions (Clair). French
to conception on the one hand, and a contraceptive as folklore insists that there was a law forbidding its
well as an abortifacient on the other. Cambridgeshire cultivation in ordinary gardens. It was said that
girls would eat it three times a day to get an abortion, the specimen in the Paris Botanical Garden had to
but the belief is actually widespread (Waring). Eating be enclosed to prevent pregnant girls from steal-
HORSERADISH leaves three times a day was a ing it. In the Deux-Savres region of France it was
valued means in the Fen country of causing abortion believed that it caused any woman who merely
(Porter. 1968), knowledge apparently not confined to touched it with the hem of her dress to miscarry
East Anglia, for Whitlock mentions it as a Wiltshire (Sebillot). HEMP leaves were recommended in
remedy, if that is the right word to use. Cambridgeshire, the aim being to cause severe
vomiting, often enough to result in a miscarriage.
LADY LAUREL (Daphne mezereum) is a poisonous
In the Scottish Highlands, it seems that the MOUN-
plant, dangerously violent in its action. Presumably
TAIN CLUBMOSS was used for the purpose.
that is the reason for its inclusion in a list of abor-
James Robertson, who toured the West Highlands
tifacients used in Dutch folk medicine (van Andel).
and Islands in 1768, noted that “the Lycopodium
According to Dodonaeus, it is so strong that it had
selago is said to be such a strong purge that it will
only to be applied on the belly to kill the child..
bring on an abortion” (quoted in Beith).
OLEANDER, too, is extremely poisonous, and has
been used for abortions in India (P A Simpson). NUTMEGS were used at one time – the women in
Hungarian gypsies recommended oleander leaves in London who were the practitioners were actually
wine, together with those of peony, as well as ergot, known as “nutmeg ladies” (Emboden. 1979). BIT-
for abortions (Erdos. 1958). A certain Granny Gray, ING STONECROP is traditionally known as abortive
of Littleport, in Cambridgeshire, used to make up (Schauenberg & Paris). ‘A Middle English Rimed
pills from the very poisonous HEMLOCK, penny- Medical Treatise’ has:
royal and rue. They were famous in the Fen country
She that drynkes fumiter and the stoncrope
for abortions (Porter. 1969) in the mid-19th century.
Schal neuere yong childe in cradell roke.
SAVIN, probably the most notorious of the poison-
ous abortifacients, had been in use, as a matter of In other words, they caused sterility or abortion
common knowledge, since ancient times, and was (I B Jones). A surprising report involves
certainly well known in the 16th and 17th centuries, HOUSELEEK. Some of the plants would be boiled,
for instance, the scurrilous lines in Middleton’s play, and the water given to the girl to drink. Later on, she
A game of chess, act 1; sc.2: would be told to climb a high wall and jump down,
and that would do the trick (Vickery). One assumes
To gather fruit, find nothing but the savin-tree,
that the second part of the treatment would have been
Too frequent in nuns’ orchards, and there planted
the only operative one, yet the plant appears in a list
By all conjecture, to destroy fruit rather.
of abortifacients used in Dutch folk medicine (Van
Some of the common names for the tree bear witness Andel). The dried flowers of SAFFLOWER have been
to this usage, names like Cover-shame and Bastard used in Chinese medicine as a “blood invigorator”,
Killer. And its contraceptive properties were well- whatever that means, though one meaning is certainly
known, too. It was said that a stallion would never to promote menstruation, which is presumably why
cover a mare if there was any savin in the stable the flowers have the reputation in China of causing
(G E Evans. 1966). Even ARNICA, dangerous as abortion (F P Smith). PENNYROYAL, too, is a
it is, has been used in folk medicine (Schauenberg known abortifacient (V G Hatfield. 1994), surprising,
& Paris). MARSH ROSEMARY (Ledum palustre) perhaps, for a plant that is almost a panacea. But it
is another traditional abortifacient (Schauenberg & is also an emmenagogue (Cameron), which would
Paris), and even the dried flowers of FEVERFEW explain the usage.
Abscess 2 Acorns
It is said that a root decoction of the African tree Acanthus mollis > BEAR’S BREECH
CATCHTHORN (Zizyphus abyssinica) will cause
Acer campestre > FIELD MAPLE
abortion (Palgrave & Palgrave). BUSY LIZZIE was
an African plant originally, and some groups used its Acer negundo > BOX ELDER
root as an abortifacient (Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk).
Acer pseudo-platanus > SYCAMORE
SCARLET LEADWORT (Plumbago indica) is a well
known abortifacient in India and Malaysia, but it is a Acer saccharum > SUGAR MAPLE
thoroughly dangerous practice, and could be lethal.
Achillea lanulosa > WOOLLY YARROW
(P A Simpson). It is the root that is used, apparently
Achillea millefolium > YARROW
by introduction into the vagina, and that would cause
violent local inflammation (Gimlette). Its close rela- Achillea ptarmica > SNEEZEWORT
tive, CEYLON LEADWORT (Plumbago zeylanica)
Aconitum napellus > MONKSHOOD
is used in the same way in the Philippines (Watt &
Breyer-Brandwijk), and in Guyana, where it is called ACORNS
Gully-root, the leaf decoction of GUINEA-HEN have their own folklore. In some parts of the
WEED (Petiveria alliacea) is used (Laguerre). Continent they were put into the hands of the dead
(Friend). Their cups and stems are the pipes smoked
Abrus precatorius > PRECATORY BEAN
by the leprechauns (Ô Súilleabháin), and the cups are
ABSCESS fairies’ shelter, as Shakespeare knew : “All their elves,
GROUNDSEL, MALLOW or MARSH MALLOW for fear, creep into acorn-cups, and hide them there”
poultices were quite common for boils and abscesses (Midsummer Night’s Dream act 1. sc 1). Carrying
(Hampshire FWI, Flück, Tongue. 1965), and a hot one around in your pocket or purse is a way to keep
compress made from FENUGREEK seeds was used in yourself youthful, and to preserve health and vitality
the same way (Flück). The inner leaves of CABBAGE (Waring), or to prevent rheumatism (Thomas &
could be used, too (V G Hatfield. 1994), and in Ireland, Thomas). Dreaming of then is a good sign – it shows
a favourite treatment was to make a tea from BROOM that health, strength and wordly wealth will be the
tops, and bathe the place with this (Maloney). dreamer’s (Raphael), for acorns were in ancient times
MADONNA LILY petals, macerated in alcohol, the symbol of fecundity – the acorn in its cup was
usually brandy, were bound to abscesses, boils and one of the earliest phallic emblems (the acorn is the
ulcers (Porter), and to all sorts of other skin eruptions. masculine, and the cup the feminine) (Wellcome). But
A poultice of WILD SORREL leaves was used in parts over most of Europe, and in America, a plentiful crop
of South Africa to treat an abscess (Watt & Breyer- of acorns augurs a poor corn crop next year. There
Brandwijk). Similarly, a poultice of chickweed is still was a form of marriage divination connected with
prescribed by herbalists (Warren-Davis). them, or rather, their cups – two of them were taken,
one named for the lover, and the other for one’sself.
ABSINTHE Then they were set to float in a bowl of water;
Thr drink known as Absinthe was actually taken as a watch them – if they sailed together, there would be
“tonic drink”; it became very popular by the end of marriage, but if they drifted apart then it was obvious
the 19th century. Made from oils of WORMWOOD, what the result would be (Trevelyan). Of course,
combined with anise, coriander and hyssop, it is acorns have been of economic importance since
actually a narcotic alcoholic drink, banned now that prehistoric times as a substitute food. The offical
it is realised that it causes permanent neural damage hunger bread of Tsarist Russia consisted of ten parts
(Emboden. 1979). Besides upsetting the nervous of acorn flour, two parts of rye flour and two parts
system, it irritates the stomach and increases heart of rye bran. In parts of Poland, acorn flour was quite
action, and could cause disorientation, delirium and usual as an ingredient of bread – in fact, loaves made
hallucination (Le Strange). At one time, wormwood purely from cereal flour were virtually unknown. In
was used in the preparation of all sorts of medicated Norway, too, acorn flour was used for bread right
wines and ales. Nowadays, extract of aniseed has up to the 19th century (Clark). Another way of using
replaced wormwood in aromatic liqueurs, in Pernod them was to grind them up as flour with peas and
for instance, though small amounts of wormwood beans (Ablett). Very important, too, was the practice
are still added to vermouth, which is a fortified white of releasing pigs into oak woods – Gerard said,”swine
wine (Le Strange). are fatted [on acorns], and by feeding thereon have
Acacia catechu > CUTCH TREE their flesh hardy and sound”. Evelyn followed with “A
peck of acorns a day, with a little bran, will make an
Acacia dealbata > SILVER WATTLE
hog (‘tis said) increase a pound-weight per diem for
Acacia karroo > MIMOSA THORN two months together”.
Acacia seyal > SHITTAH Acorus calamus > SWEET FLAG
Adam-and-Eve 3 Agrimony
ADAM-AND-EVE AFRICAN MARIGOLD
(Boland), or ADAM -AND-EVE-IN-THE- (Tagetes erecta) Not African at all, as is well-known,
BOWER (Macmillan) are names given to WHITE but a native of Mexico, brought back to Spain, and
DEADNETTLE, “because in the flower, if you hold it then naturalised in North Africa, where the soldiers
upside down, the stamens can be seen lying for all the of the Emperor Charles V, in the 1535 expedition to
world like two people side by side in a curtained bed”. free Tunis from the Moors, found it growing, and
assumed it was native (Fisher). It is claimed that
Adansonia digitata > BAOBAB
this plant, or indeed any of the species, will reduce
ADDER’S TONGUE eelworm damage if planted among valued plants. The
(Ophioglossum vulgatum) A plant with an evil root secretion will kill eelworms at three feet distance
reputation, destroying the grass in which it grows, (M Baker. 1977). They will, too, kill nematodes in the
and injuring the cattle that graze there (Addison). soil, as well as whitefly, and are really great to grow
Nevertheless, the leaves, when pressed, produce a near potatoes and tomatoes (Boland & Boland), and
green oil, sometimes known as Green Oil for Charity also carrots and onions (Vickery. 1995), to keep pests
(Leyel. 1937), considered by the older herbalists as a away.
balsam for green wounds. An ointment, often called
Ageratum conyzoides > GOATWEED
Green Adder ointment, is also used. This dates from
ancient times, and is still available in the 20th century Agrimonia eupatoria > AGRIMONY
(Savage). The doctrine of signatures ensured that it
AGRIMONY
would be used for snake-bites.
(Agrimonia eupatoria) A bitter herb, one of those
ADENOIDS once used to make beer keep (Bottrell). But:
In Russian folk medicine, a gargle of BEET juice is a
Kirn milk and agrimony
recognized remedy for adenoids. (Kourennoff).
Mak’ the lasses fair and bonny (Simpkins).
Adhatoda vasica > MALABAR NUT
A Guernsey preservative against spells, and a
Adiantum capillus-veneris > MAIDENHAIR FERN typically complicated one, to be hung round the neck:
take nine bits of green broom, and two sprigs of the
Aegopodium podagraria > GOUTWEED
same, which you must tie together in the form of a
Aesculus hippocastanum > HORSE CHESTNUT cross; nine morsels of elder, nine leaves of Betony,
nine of Agrimony, and a little bay salt, salammoniac,
Aesculus octandra > YELLOW BUCKEYE
new wax, barley, leaven, camphor and quicksilver. The
Aframomum melegueta > MELEGUETA PEPPER quicksilver must be enclosed in cobbler’s wax. Put
the whole into a new linen cloth that has never been
AFRICAN BLACKWOOD
used, and sew it well up so that nothing will fall out.
(Dalbergia melanoxylon) Among some of the peoples
Hang this round your neck. It is a sure preservative
of the Sudan, the causes of illness are divined through
against the power of witches (MacCulloch). Agrimony
burning the young growths of this tree. The wood will
was used in Guernsey for divinations too; one charm
burn “bright and sharp”, so giving information about
was to put two fronds of agrimony, each bearing nine
the activities of witches, which can then be interpreted
leaflets, crosswise under the pillow, securing them
by diviners (Rival). More empiricially, decoctions
by two new pins, also crossed. The future husband
of the roots are given throughout East Africa in the
would appear in a dream (MacCulloch). But actually
treatment of sickness ascribed to the effect of an evil
dreaming of agrimony foretells sickness in the house
spirit, and the bark is one of the ingredients of the
(Mackay).
steam bath used for the same purpose (Koritschoner).
Agrimony tea can be drunk as an ordinary beverage
AFRICAN CORN LILY
tea, popular once with French peasants (Cullum). It
(Ixia viridiflora). Ixia, the generic name, comes from
was known as Tea Plant in Somerset (Macmillan),
the Greek word ixos, meaning bird lime, for these
and it is thé des bois in France, too (Clair). But it
plants have a sticky sap, and can be used for the
can be used as a gargle for a dry cough (Conway),
purpose.
or for a whole variety of ailments, lumbago among
AFRICAN MAHOGANY them (Vickery. 1995). It had a reputation for curing
(Khaya ivorensis) A sacred tree in Yoruba belief, jaundice, and Culpeper assured us that “it openeth and
venerated because of its usefulness, but the foot of cleanseth the liver”, and in fact that was what it was
this tree was believed to be the favourite haunt of used for in Gaelic folk tradition (Beith). Gerard had
wizards. It is, too, the symbol of vengeance, and must already recommended the leaf decoction as “good for
not be cut down until the tree spirit that lives in its them that have naughty livers, and for such as pisse
branches has been propitiated by the offering of a bloud upon the diseases of the kidneys”. It is still used
fowl, or some palm oil (J O Lucas). by herbalists as a liver tonic (it is sometimes known as
Ague 4 Alder Buckthorn
Liverwort), as well as for some kinds of rheumatism write, for such as are sicke of an ague, especially
(Conway), for which it was a popular medicine in children and infants …”. In Sussex, it used to be said
Cumbria (Newman & Wilson). The tea was a gypsy that eating nine SAGE leaves on nine consecutive
remedy for curing coughs, too (Vesey-Fitzgerald), and mornings (or some say seven leaves on seven
it is good for sore throats (A W Hatfield). It is still mornings (Thompson. 1947)) is a cure for the ague
used for digestive disorders, and as a “blood puri- (Fernie).
fier” (Clair), the latter recorded as a folk medicine in
A Suffolk cure for ague was a mixture of beer, gin
Dorset (Dacombe).
and ACORNS (Gentleman’s Magazine; 1867).
Agrimony was an ingredient in genuine arquebus- Surely the strangest, and one of the more disgusting,
cade water, as prepared against wounds inflicted by remedies for the ailment was the Scottish one that
an arquebus, and mentioned by Philip de Comines prescribed “a little bit of ox-dung drunk with half a
in his account of the Battle of Morat, 1476. Eau scruple of masterwort” (Graham). Wearing round the
d’arquebuscade was still supplied in 1897 for sprains neck a bag filled with grated HORSERADISH was a
and bruises (Fernie). “Agrimony sod in red wine, Cambridgeshire ague preventive. TEASEL was used
wherewith if wounds be washed, it cleanseth all in some parts (Black). The Gentleman’s Magazine
filth and corruption from it …”(Lupton). It was an in 1867 mentions a remedy where the patient had to
ingredient of a plaster to get thorns or splinters out of gather teasels and carry them about with him. But
a wound (Dawson. 1934), according to a 15th century the remedy lay apparently in what was found inside
leechdom. Agrimony and black sheep’s grease were the teasel – in Lyte’s translation of Dodoens, 1586,
used for a Scottish ointment (Dalyell), and another he says “the small wormes that are founde within
ointment, for backache, was made with our plant the knops of teasels do cure and heale the quartaine
and mugwort, in the 14th and 15th centuries (Henslow ague, to be worne or tied about the necke or arme”
Dawson, ). (see HULME. 1895). In the Fen country of England,
OPIUM POPPY was grown so as to provide the
Agrimony wine is made, typically, to drink when one
medicine to treat the endemic ague or malaria rife
has a cold (Grigson. 1955), and the infusion was once
there (see MALARIA), and the doctrine of signatures
used as an eye lotion for the cure and prevention of
would ensure that WILLOWS would feature in ague
cataract. This kind of use is ancient; the Anglo-Saxon
medicine; it grows in wet conditions, and the disease
version of Apuleius, for example, had a remedy for
is caused by damp. A charm used in the Lincolnshire
“sore of eyes”, as well as for a number of other ail-
marshes to get rid of the ague was to take a sprig of
ments, including snake-bite, for which there were
ROWAN over a stile, and then return home by another
other remedies in that period. Storms quoted another
route. In that way, the disease would leave the patient,
Anglo-Saxon magical cure, in which he recommended
and the next person who passed over the stile would
the use of agrimony to “make one ring about the bite,
then take it (Gutch & Peacock).
it (the poison) will not pass any further…”. Lupton,
too, noted that agrimony by itself was enough: AKEE
“… with a wonderful facility (it) healeth the bites (Blighia sapinda) An African tree, but cultivated in
of serpents and other venomous beasts”. tropical regions and southern Florida for its fruit,
known as akee, which is from an Ashanti word.
Agropyron repens > COUCHGRASS
Canning and exporting them is now an industry in
Agrostemma githago > CORN COCKLE Jamaica. The aril is the edible part, but if they are
AGUE under-ripe, they are poisonous, and risky if over-ripe
A charm, using GROUNDSEL. A woman suffering (Menninger). African women grind the bark and mix
from the disease was recommended to tell her it with locally made black soap to wash with during
husband to tie a handful of groundsel to her bare pregnancy. This is supposed to ensure an easy delivery
bosom while the charmer spoke the necessary when the time comes (Soforowa).
incantation (Black). It had to remain there, and as Alcea officinalis > MARSH MALLOW
the herb withered, the ague would go away. Wesley
prescribed another charm for the same sickness – ALDER BUCKTHORN
“For an ague … take a Handful of Groundsell, shred (Frangula alnus) The berries, bark and leaves are
it small, put it in a Paper Bag, four Inches square, toxic, for they are a violent purgation. As Gerard
pricking that Side which is to [go] next the Skin full pointed out, “the inner bark hereof is used by divers
of Holes. Cover this with thin Linnen, and wear it countrymen, who drinke the infusion thereof when
on the Pit of the Stomach, renewing it two Hours they would be purged. It is… a medicine fit for
before the Fit : Tried”. That charm was being used clownes rather … than for dainty people”. Hill noted
in Cornwall long after Wesley’s time. PANSY leaves that in Yorkshire “they bruise the bark with vinegar,
in the shoe were said to cure ague, but Gerard was and use it outwards [externally] for the itch, which it
more conventional. “It is good, as the late Physitions cures very safely”. And in the Balkans, a rash would
Alexanders 5 Almond
be bathed in a decoction, which had to be left under ALMOND
the eaves overnight (Kemp). (Prunus amygdalus, or sometimes Amygdalus
communis). The two varieties are dulcis and amara,
ALEXANDERS
sweet and bitter almonds. The former are often known
(Smyrnium olusatrum) A Mediterranean plant,
as Jordan Almonds, a name that has nothing to do with
naturalised now in Britain, chiefly near the sea,
the Middle East. Jordan is the same as the modern
probably as a relic of old cultivation as a potherb
French jardin, in other words, it is the cultivated kind.
(Grigson). There have been a number of medicinal
A crazy tree, according to beliefs on the Greek islands.
uses in past times, notably for dropsy, for which
Crazy, because it is apt to bloom as early as January; if
Dioscorides recommended it. A 15th century leechdom
frosts occur afterwards, as they often do, then there will
also prescribed it, and other herbs, “for all manner of
be no crop (Argenti & Rose). These early flowering
dropsies: take sage and betony, crop and root, even
Prunuses have always been a source of comment –
portions, and seed of alexanders, and seed of sow
witness the name Precocious Tree for the apricot. Such
thistle, and make them into a powder, of each equally
a habit accounts for its symbolism of hope.
much; and powder half an ounce of spikenard of
Spain, put it thereto, and then put all these together in To dream of eating almonds, according to the old
a cake of white dough and put it in a stewpan full of dream books, signifies a journey, its success or oth-
good ale, and stop it well; and give it the sick to drink erwise depending on whether they were the sweet or
all day …” (W M Dawson). Alexanders also used to bitter kind you were eating (Dyer). Some superstitions
be prescribed for bladder problems. from the Mediterranean area show the almond to be
a protective influence. In Morocco, for example, they
ALGAROBA BEANS would say that a jinn does not come near a person who
CAROB pods are known in commerce as Algaroba- carries a stick cut from a bitter almond tree, or who is
beans. The word itself is exactly the same as ‘carob’. carrying a charm made from its wood (Westermarck).
ALKANET There is sexual symbolism, too. Greek mythology
(Anchusa officinalis) “The gentlewomen of France has the Phrygian tale of Attis. In one version he is
do paint their faces with these roots. as it is said” castrated by the gods, and dies. His testicles fall to the
(Gerard). Anchusa is from the Greek meaning to ground and sprout new life in the form of an almond
paint or dye (another species is Dyer’s Bugloss (A tree (Edwards). Not that this symbolism is entirely
tinctoria). Alkanet seems to be one of the most Greek, for at gypsy weddings in parts of Spain every-
ancient of face cosmetics (Clair). This use of the roots one heaps pink almond blossoms over the bride’s head
for making rouge led to the plant becoming known as as she dances. Such throwing over the bride’s head is
a symbol of falsehood (Folkard). known in Greece as, significantly, “pouring”, as if the
Allium ascalonium > SHALLOT almond blossom were life-giving water. An almond
tree will always fruit well near the home of a bride,
Allium cepa > ONION
it is said. Almond paste, called ‘matrimony’, since
Allium porrum > LEEK it blends sweet and bitter flavours, usually appears
on wedding cakes. In Italy, pink and white sugared
Allium sativum > GARLIC
almonds are distributed in ornamental boxes at wed-
Allium schoenoprasum > CHIVES dings, like bread cake elsewhere. So universal are
almonds at Greek weddings that the question “when
Allium ursinum > RAMSONS
will we eat sugared almonds?” is asked instead of
ALLSPICE when will the wedding be (Edwards). They are equally
(Pimento dioica) It is called Allspice because it prominent at Indian weddings, and some are put at
seems to combine all the flavours of nutmeg, clove, every table setting at the reception; they may indicate
cinnamon, and juniper berries, making it a favourite both prosperity and children, i.e., money, fertility
ingredient for mulled wine (Leyel.1937). The ripe and sexual fertility. Sugared almonds may, in certain
berries have been used in Jamaica for flavouring a circumstances, be given at a Greek funeral, but the
special drink based on rum, and known as pimento symbolism is the same. The funeral would have to be
dram (Brouk). There used to be something called a that of a spinster, and the almonds are for a parody
spice plaster to put on parts affected by rheumatism of a wedding that did not take place in life, and also
or neuralgia. The way to make it was to crush an to mark her wedding to Christ (Edwards). In another
ounce or so of whole allspice, and boil it down to a manifestation of the symbolism, unmarried girls often
thick liquor, which was then spread on linen ready keep some of the almonds for divination. Three under
to be applied (A W Hatfield). One sometimes comes the pillow will inspire dreams of the future husband.
across the belief in America that a necklace of Aloe chinensis > BURN PLANT
allspice worn round a baby’s neck will help teething
Aloe vera > MEDITERRANEAN ALOE
(H M Hyatt).
Alopecia 6 American Wormseed
ALOPECIA AMERICAN CHESTNUT
MAIDENHAIR FERN has been used to stop the (Castanea dentata) Very rare in the United States
hair falling out, a use stemming from the legend now, the result of chestnut blight disease. While the
that the hair of Venus (capillus-veneris) was dry tree was plentiful, it was used in domestic medicine,
when the goddess came out of the sea, since when particularly an infusion of the dried leaves, given for
the fern has been used in hair lotions, particularly whooping cough, and carrying one in the pocket was
for lotions to prevent the hair from going out of curl said in Iowa to bring good luck (Stout).
on damp days. From there it is but a short step for
AMERICAN COWBANE
the doctrine of signatures to ensure that it should be
(Cicuta maculata) Cherokee women, so Weiner
used for alopecia. It is the ashes of the fern, mixed
reported, chewed and swallowed the highly toxic
with olive oil and vinegar, that are used (Leyel.
root for four consecutive days to induce permanent
1937). SOUTHERNWOOD had a similar reputation.
sterility!
See Gerard’s prescription “the ashes of burnt
Southernwood, with some kind of oyle that is of thin AMERICAN PENNYROYAL
parts … cure the pilling of the hairs of the head, and (Hedeoma pulegioides) It was used medicinally by the
make the beard to grow quickly”. American Indians. The Iroquois, for example, steeped
the leaves to make a tea for headaches (Weiner), and
A cap of IVY-leaves worn on the head was supposed
they also used it to keep off insects (a volatile oil
to stop the hair falling out (Leather), or to make it
is still made from it for just this purpose). Another
grow again when illness had caused it to fall. Gerard
use, known by the Penobscot, was for suppressed
claimed that a gall from a DOG ROSE, stamped
menstruation (Youngken). This is still in use, often
with honey and ashes “causeth haires to grow which
with sage (Corlett), and is a Hoosier remedy for the
are fallen through the disease called Alopecia, or the
condition, as a form of birth control (Tyler).
Foxes Evill”.
AMERICAN WHITE HELLEBORE
Alopecurus myosuroides > HUNGRY GRASS
(Veratrum viride) Poisonous, of course, like the true
Alopecurus pratensis > FOXTAIL, i.e., MEADOW hellebores. People like the Blackfoot Indians have
FOXTAIL been known to use the plant for suicidal purposes
(Johnston). The alkaloids in it lower the blood
Althaea rosea > HOLLYHOCK
pressure, and so reduce the heart rate (cf WHITE
ALUM-ROOT HELLEBORE (Veratrum album). Owing to its emetic
(Heuchera americana) The root of this plant would qualities it is seldom fatal to man (in accidental
be used when a powerful astringent was needed, circumstances), but overdoses are distressingly
for example, a wash can be made for wounds and energetic (Lloyd). The Cree Indians used the
obstinate ulcers (Lindley). The Meskwaki Indians powdered roots for a snuff in the treatment to reduce
used the leaves in a similar way for sores (H H Smith. hernia. The patient would be raised on a platform to a
1928), and a tea is an American country remedy for horizontal position. He would take a good pinch of the
diarrhoea (H M Hyatt). snuff, and during the violent sneezing that followed
someone would be standing ready to push the hernia
AMBOYNA WOOD back with his fist! (Corlett). The Quinault Indians
(Pterocarpus indicus) The red resin of this tree is boiled the whole plant, and drank it in very small
known as dragon’s blood, and was once much used in doses, for rheumatism. Others, who know all about its
medicine, but now seems to be confined to use as an poisonous character, just tie a leaf round the patient’s
aphrodisiac, or at least as a man-attracting charm arm, or wherever, to relieve pain (E Gunther). Because
(C J S Thompson. 1897). it is so poisonous, it is no surprise that the root was
carried as a charm to ward off evil spirits, or to kill sea
AMERICAN BLACKBERRY
monsters, by the Salish Indians of Vancouver Island
(Rubus villosus) Like most of the brambles, this was
(Turner & Bell).
used as an astringent tonic for diarrhoea, dysentery,
and the like (Grieve.1931). The astringency probably AMERICAN WORMSEED
helps the throat membranes, for the Cherokee people (Chenopodium ambrosioides) As the name implies,
made a habit of chewing the roots and swallowing this plant is a famous anthelmintic. But care has to
the saliva when they had a cough. They also used it be taken, for an overdose can be dangerous, even
as a poultice for piles. A syrup of blackberry root fatal (Tampion). Brazilian curanderos use it as an
is an American country remedy for dysentery, and ingredient in the ritual baths that form part of healing
the juice of the fruit, spiced and laced with whisky, ceremonies (P V A Williams). It must grow in Africa,
is a well-valued carminative drink in Kentucky, the too, for the leaves are one of the ingredients used
original of the well-known “Blackberry Cordial” in the steambath used to treat sickness ascribed to
(Lloyd). the effect of evil spirits (Koritschoner). To prevent