Historical Herbery--a mix of fantastic and facts?

[Cerulean_damselfly]

I've been fascinated in how looking at bits of the work of Shakespeare (as also in looking at Chaucer (circa 1350) and Dante (circa 1250-1300), there are authors picking out vernacular folklore. My original curiousity was trying to find resources on the real plants or recipes that might have been suggested in some of Shakespeare's work.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakespeare_garden

Not strictly on that topic, but related--here's a mix of astrology, folklore, chemistry, alchemy and pure faith in the accounts and recipes--the antidote for scurvey was fascinating to me (but please don't try this at home!):

http://www.planetherbs.com/articles/johnhall.html

(note--I think the author of the article of herbs wrote a book and did a tarot called Herbal Tarot, as well).

Note also they were describing the 'plants of Saturn' and perhaps other astrological temperments and attributions...this was the 1570s in Great Britain.

I wasn't certain where to post this--it's not really magic or strictly herbs, kind of a mixed topic.

Anyone else have herbal historical resources to share? I am reading a library book on "Witchcraft Medicine" which is more a survey of literature and historical notes. Since I found out "Scarborough Faire" as a British ballad was linked to a cheery folkloric naming of a series of impossible tasks with a Springtime setting, I've been fascinated by such European folklore!

I adore oldish garden and recipe resources that relate to folklore, like Farmer's Almanacs! (We are very cautious about doing what's suggested--I just like to sift through the ideas).

Cerulean_Damselfly

[Maggie]

I've been fascinated in how looking at bits of the work of Shakespeare (as also in looking at Chaucer (circa 1350) and Dante (circa 1250-1300), there are authors picking out vernacular folklore. My original curiousity was trying to find resources on the real plants or recipes that might have been suggested in some of Shakespeare's work.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakespeare_garden

Not strictly on that topic, but related--here's a mix of astrology, folklore, chemistry, alchemy and pure faith in the accounts and recipes--the antidote for scurvey was fascinating to me (but please don't try this at home!):

http://www.planetherbs.com/articles/johnhall.html

(note--I think the author of the article of herbs wrote a book and did a tarot called Herbal Tarot, as well).

Note also they were describing the 'plants of Saturn' and perhaps other astrological temperments and attributions...this was the 1570s in Great Britain.

I wasn't certain where to post this--it's not really magic or strictly herbs, kind of a mixed topic.

Anyone else have herbal historical resources to share? I am reading a library book on "Witchcraft Medicine" which is more a survey of literature and historical notes. Since I found out "Scarborough Faire" as a British ballad was linked to a cheery folkloric naming of a series of impossible tasks with a Springtime setting, I've been fascinated by such European folklore!

I adore oldish garden and recipe resources that relate to folklore, like Farmer's Almanacs! (We are very cautious about doing what's suggested--I just like to sift through the ideas).

Cerulean_Damselfly

You might try looking for the old herbals, such as Culpepper's. His was first published in 1649 and contains quite a bit of what you mention.

Maggie

[Faust]

mixing a red herb and a green one completely restores your health

[Cerulean_damselfly]

Thanks much for the responses!

I found Culpepper online as well--thank you very much...

http://www.bibliomania.com/2/1/66/113/frameset.html

Best regards,

Cerulean_Damselfly