Tag: gardening
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The search for treatments began with recognition of disease– The Medicinal Herb Garden in Oslo
At the dawn of medicine various minerals, animal parts, and plants provided the first potential remedies for experimentation by patients, shamans and high priests alike. And so, the first formularies emerged to document treatments that were generally thought to be effective. In medieval Europe, the monasteries became the guardians of much of the medicinal treasure…
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Taking a lead from Nature – Plants, medicines, and scientists with prepared minds
When I write about medicinal plants, I often come across plants I have never seen before or would not have recognised. In such cases, I try to find a specimen to photograph and study, but this may not be possible as medicinal plants may only grow in remote habitats. Where possible I try to grow…
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Mistaking Autumn Crocus (Colchique d’automne) and Lily of the Valley (Muguet) for Wild Garlic (Ail des ours)
In a comment to my recent post on Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum), a reader, Marie-Noelle Chung helpfully drew my attention to the possibility and danger of confusing it with the poisonous Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale) on which I posted earlier. By coincidence, when I took the photos of the wild garlic in early April 2024,…
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The lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) – a beautiful plant used traditionally for the treatment of lung ailments, hence the name ‘Pulmonaria’. But beware …
With a warm mid-February, spring is in the air in the English Midlands. The snowdrops are in full bloom and some other spring bulbs and a few camelias have followed. Walking around my soggy garden today (15 Feb), I came across a fine clump of lungwort in full bloom (see photos), hidden behind a garden…
Medicine Trees 