Herbal Folklore: 6 Herb Stories About Luck, Life and Love

Many of the herbaceous plant we utilize for natural medicinal drug do with a rich story of employment as well as their own folklore . I ’m often drawn to the ancient stories that accompany some of our in effect plant therapist because I ’m in reverence of the hunch early the great unwashed had to incorporate them into their lives . Without the background of modernistic technology to understand these plants ’ factor and how they work in the soundbox , our ascendant craft these magical story that gave a hint to how the flora could be grown , identified or put into healing activeness .

Here are some of my favorite herbal folk tales of plant aboriginal or naturalise in North America . While these stories apparently are n’t meant to be taken literally , they often remind me of the regard we should pay off these special plants . Plus , it ’s play to take part in the share-out of level that have been passed down from generation to propagation for hundreds of age .

1. Cut-Leaved Toothwort (Cardamine concatenata)

cutting - leaved toothwort is one of our outflow beauties that show its cheek in woodland areas across the easterly United States . The Iroquois say that if you place the roots in your pocket or in your sassing , it would help you pull in women . I suppose this mystic use as a honey potion has some validity , as this plant has been used for beef up the affection . It ’s also a folk remediation for odontalgia .

2. Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

Periwinkle develop around the trees outside my front door — and according to folklore , that ’s a good matter , as it ’s a symbol of harmoniousness and protection . The pretty royal heyday is said to deoxidise anger and anxiety in all those who come in contact with it . In fact , newly get hitched with distich would go so far as to stuff their mattresses with its vine because it was enounce to be a root of fidelity . Travelers would even carry it with them as a agency of protection on the open route .

3. St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

An identifying feature of St. John ’s wort is cross - like material body arrangement of its leaves around the radical of the industrial plant . This feature touch to its folkloric use as a protection against immorality . Goth in mediaeval Europe hung the stalks above the entering to their homes to protect against demons and witchery . It flower and was harvest on the Clarence Day of St. John ( June 24 ) , a solar day that celebrates the disciple of Jesus . Today , it ’s a powerful healer for depression and anxiety — which some might say are demons in and of themselves .

4. Cinquefoil (Potentillaspp.)

Much of cinquefoil folklore circles around the numeral five . This wild penis of the rose household is sometimes called “ five fingers ” because of the palmate , or hand - similar , growth pattern of its five leaves and , as such , was said to be used as shelter against meddling , preventative and witchcraft . multitude would hang it , along with hawthorn , above their doors to keep witches out .

Cinquefoil was also said to bring good fortune in any one of the five area of love , money , health , power and wisdom . Many medieval practices help ensure these thing . Filling an empty shell with the herb would protect the home from damaging influence . fisherman held it with them to provide luck in catching a large harvest . Knights bust an picture of cinquefoil on their armour to symbolize mastery of the five senses , which is to say , awareness of oneself . It was even used in herbal sexual love potion .

5. Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota)

As a child , I was told the tarradiddle of Queen Anne . While she sew a piece of lacing , she prick her finger and a droplet of line landed in the eye of the fabric . That ’s how you’re able to identify this wildflower , by the bantam deep - over-embellished floweret put in the center of the white flower cluster . However , it seems that the folklore around Queen Anne ’s lacing , or wild carrot , might not be that impeccant . One folk tale propose the flower ’s namesake to be Anne Boleyn , who was sentenced to beheading by her married man , King Henry VIII , for treason , adultery and witchery , among other charges . The ruddy floweret is said to be where her oral sex was cut off , and the surrounding whitened blossom her arrest .

But for less wild imagery , let ’s go back to the finger prick . According to herb doctor Matthew Wood , in queen tales , grapheme who prick a digit are often emerging into a raw chapter of their lives , particularly one where they are more aware of their intimate identicalness or vulnerability . This is interesting considering this herb ’s consumption for char ’s health .

6. Elderberry (Sambucusspp.)

elderberry are more than a wonderful herb and tasty yield : They come from a plant ample in folklore . It ’s said that elderberry bush serves as a doorway to the fairy man , and according to one particular history , the Elder Mother dwells inside the President Bush . Someone who thin the President Bush without permission from the Elder Mother will die . The custom was to get on bended knee to postulate the Elder Mother for her Sir Henry Wood and , in exchange , offer your body back to the earthly concern when you pass on . This might be something to keep in mind if you take a carving or peck the berries themselves .

These history are among many circularise around the herbal domain . As you study your favorite herbs , consider the folklore that ring them and allow yourself to take part in the magic and marvel if these fascinating plant .

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