Category: Folk Herbalism
-
A Soft and Sweet Beauty: Marshmallow
“Marshmallow leaves is an old fashioned remedy for coughs, colds and whooping cough. An ounce of the leaves in one and a half pints of boiling water boiled down to one pint, makes a useful fomentation for inflamed wounds, boils or abscesses.” – Tommy Fagan, County Longford, Schools’ Collection, 1930’s
-
The Savior: Garden Sage
“It (wild sage) is usually found near a cliff or by the side of a fence. This herb has got great praise from the old people, because one very remarkable story is related about a certain man who lived in this district. He was suffering from a pain near the heart, so finally one day…
-
The Herb of Longevity: Self Heal
“The Song of the Self Heal Faery, When little Elves have cut themselves, Or Mouse has hurt her tail, Or Froggie’s arm has come to harm, This herb will never fail. The Faeries’ skill can cure each ill, And soothe the sorest pain; She’ll bathe and bind, and soon she’ll find, that they are well…
-
Soft Hearted Violet
“…Of the flower of violet and of sugar is made sugar of violets, of the same flower and of honey of violets and of the same flower and oil is made of violets. Whichever it is desired to make, put the flower in the honey, oil or sugar, leave it there for a period of…
-
The Folklore of Daffodils and the Return of Spring
“Life’s a dog and then you die? No, no. Life is a joyous dance through daffodils beneath cerulean blue skies and then, then what? I forget what happens next.” Edward Abbey I noticed that the first daffodils are beginning to emerge on our local fairy fort, Rathvilly moat, so I wonder if this is a…