Irish Wild Plants

In ancient Ireland it was believed there were 365 different parts to the body, and a different plant existed to cure the ailments of each part. After describing the history of herbs in Ireland and traditional herbal medicine, different aspects of plant folklore are examined: roles in magical protection, use in charms and spells, plants as emblems

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Most of us are never far away from green and growing things and indeed our lives would feel much poorer without them. The wild plants of Ireland have been bound up in our culture from the earliest times appearing in the ancient Irish brehon laws and nature poetry as well as myths and legends and much folklore. According to that folklore a person who carries a four-leaved shamrock will be lucky in gambling, while a girl who puts nine ivy-leaves under her pillow will dream of her future husband. Herbal medicine was also important in ancient Ireland. There were 365 parts to the body, and a different plant existed to cure the ailments of each part. Plants are described in seasonal order, a fresh perspective which brings us back to the viewpoint of our ancestors. After the history of herbs in Ireland and traditional herbal medicine, different aspects of plant folklore are examined. Included are their roles in magical protection, their use in charms and spells (especially for love!), plants as emblems in children's games, in Irish place names and folklore cures.
As with its companion Irish Trees - Myths, Legends and Folklore, this book is beautifully illustrated with specially commissioned watercolours by Grania Langrishe.