Herbal Medicine in Medieval Times

 

Herbal Medicine in Medieval Times:

Whoa, whoa, whoa – It’s Magic!

By Marie Powell

In the past few years, I’ve been writing a medieval fantasy novel series for young adults. Last of the Gifted: Spirit Sight is about as far from science as it can get: the Welsh brother-and-sister team that are my protagonists solve their problems with magic.

But during the writing, I had questions about how their medieval world worked. It’s not surprising that I was a little preoccupied with medicine and healing, especially during this time of pandemic and social isolation. I turned to alternative medicine and biology resources to find out what people might have used to treat infections, everyday ailments, and even wounds in medieval times.

Note that I said alternative resources. The websites I looked at all point out that we must consult a doctor before using any of these plants or herbs today, and special precautions must be taken before using anything that has medicinal properties.

That said, it’s fascinating to read about what medieval people thought about biology and medicine. We think of herbs for cooking today, but for the medieval Welsh, plants in the fields and and gardens were more often used as a source of medicine, rather than cooking (Freeman, 1996).

For example, the common flower Marigold or Calendula might be found in gardens today for beauty or to attract helpful insects and birds (Russo, n.d.). It blooms in the morning, and it certainly adds colour to any garden. Medieval herbalists also thought it could help with a variety of ailments, from menstrual cramps to inflammation (Russo, n.d.). In the 12^th and 13^th Centuries, people mixed marigold with other herbs like St. John’s Wort and aloe to treat wounds. (Quave, 2018)

That was interesting for me, since my story takes place during a major war between Wales and England, and there are lots of injuries to treat. Other plants were thought to be useful as well. Comfrey was used to help heal broken bones (Hedgerow Medicine, n.d.). Moss was used to dress wounds at least since 1014, and Agrimony or Agrimonia eupatoria was thought to help stop bleeding (Hedgerow Medicine, n.d.) (Woodbury, 2012).

Of course, I looked at Welsh texts in translation, like the “Medical Book of the Physicians of Myddvai.” This source lists 32 days in the year that were considered dangerous to your health (I leave you to look them up from the links below and see if you agree). It also suggests various remedies, including: “The mugwort, madder, meadow sweet, milfoil, hemp, red cabbage, and the tutsan, all these seven herbs enter into the composition of the medicine required. Whosoever obtains them all, will not languish long from a wounded lung, or need fear for his life” (ab Ithel, 1861). Writers often say that research is like going down a rabbit hole, and that website was one rabbit hole that kept me occupied for several days.

North Wales is mountainous, and I began to wonder if my characters experienced altitude sickness or what they used as a cure. One source suggested Rhodiola Rosea (Plants for a Future, n.d.), which is found in the UK. Apparently it tastes a bit like spinach so it may have provided nutrients to supplement their diet, too. But don’t try this at home: medical studies and climbers recommend acclimatization, rest, hydration, high-calorie foods, and avoiding depressants instead (Curtis, 1998) (Usher, 2018).

What about that blue dye that Celtic peoples are reported to have used to bolster their courage in battle? That’s Woad (wohd) or Isatis tinctorial. The plant has a yellow flower, but the blue dye comes from its blue-green leaves after they've been dried, powdered, and brewed. Some sources say its roots and leaves, when prepared properly, could also be used as an ointment to fight infections and sores (Ellis, 2018), or to prevent “hardness of the spleen” (Grieve, 1995-2020). Sounds uncomfortable!

I’m still looking for great resources as I delve into the magic of Book 2 of my series, Last of the Gifted: Water Sight. Meanwhile, I’ve listed some resources below for further reading. Know any good resources on medieval magic and medicine? Please leave a comment and let’s discuss it!

Disclaimer: The content of this article is purely research. The author is not a medical professional or herbalist. Please consult a physician or medical professional for advice before using any herbs or alternative medicines.

Marie Powell’s castle-hopping adventures in North Wales have led to the publication of her new series, Last of the Gifted, including Spirit Sight this summer and Water Sight this fall with Wood Dragon Books (participation made possible through Creative Saskatchewan’s Book Publishing Grant Program). Marie is the author of 40 children’s books published by Scholastic Education, Amicus, Learner/Lightning Bolt, and others. Find her at https://mariepowell.ca  

Photo credits:

1 - Marigold or Calendula (Alvesgaspar, 2008)

2 - Agrimony - (Rosser1954, 2019)

3 - Rhodiola Rosea - (Σ64, 2007)

4 - Woad flowers - (Pethan, 2005)

 Creative Commons license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

Bibliography: Further Reading List

Σ64. (2007, August 5). Rhodiola rosea. Retrieved from Wikimedia.org: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rhodiola_rosea_01.jpg

ab Ithel, W. J. (1861). The Medical Book of the Physicians of Myddvai. Retrieved from Celtic Literature Collective: Welsh MSS Society: http://www.maryjones.us/ctexts/meddigion_myddfai.html

Alvesgaspar. (2008, January). A Field Marigold inflorescence (Calendula arvensis). Retrieved from Wikimedia.org: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calendula_January_2008-1_filtered.jpg

Curtis, R. (1998). Outdoor Action Guide to High Altitude: Acclimatization and Illnesses. Retrieved from Princeton University: AEE Wilderness Safety Page: http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/safety/altitude.html

Ellis, M. E. (2018, 05 12). Woad Uses Beyond Dye: What Can Woad Be Used For In The Garden? Retrieved from Gardening Know-How: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/woad-plant/woad-uses-beyond-dye.htm

Freeman, B. (1996). First Catch Your Peacock: Classic Guide to Welsh Food. Retrieved from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_cuisine#cite_note-FOOTNOTEFreeman199648-8

Grieve, M. (1995-2020). Woad. Retrieved from Botanical.com: https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/w/woad--28.html

Hedgerow Medicine. (n.d.). Hedgerow Medicine. Retrieved from Hedgerow Medicine: http://www.hedgerowmedicine.com/blog/list

O'Brien, L. (2018, January 21). Lora O'Brien, Irish Author & Guid. Retrieved from Celtic Woad - An Authentic Resource?: https://loraobrien.ie/celtic-woad-an-authentic-resource/

Pethan. (2005, May). Isatis tinctoria. Retrieved from Wikimedia: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Isatis_tinctoria02.JPG

Plants for a Future. (n.d.). Rhodiola rosea - L. Retrieved from Plants for a Future: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Rhodiola+rosea

Quave, C. (2018, Oct 25). Wound healing with botanicals: A review and future perspectives . Retrieved from NCBI Resources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6519724/

Rosser1954. (2019, May 13). The Hemp Agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum), growing in Lainshaw Woods, Stewarton, East Ayrshire, Scotland. Retrieved from Wikimedia.org: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hemp_Agrimony_(Eupatorium_cannabinum),_Lainshaw_Woods,_Stewarton,_East_Ayrshire.jpg

Russo, S. (n.d.). Calendula: Healing From The Inside Out. Retrieved from Emerald Pharms: http://emeraldpharms.com/medicinal-plants/calendula-healing-from-the-inside-out

Science Direct. (n.d.). Calendula. Retrieved from Science Direct: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/calendula

Usher, T. (2018, April 16). Vice. Retrieved from Today I learned: The UK Is the World's Biggest Importer of Legal Cocaine: https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/vbxqy9/today-i-learned-the-uk-is-the-worlds-biggest-importer-of-legal-cocaine

Whiteman, R. (1997). Brother Cadfael's Herb Garden: An Illustrated Companion to Medieval Plants and Their Uses. Bulfinch.

Woodbury, S. (2012, 08 19). Medicinal Herbs in Wales. Retrieved from SarahWoodbury.com: https://www.sarahwoodbury.com/medicinal-herbs-in-wales/