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Ancient Old Time Uses of Flowers

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posted 4 months ago

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I picked up a book a while back. It looked very old
and medieval. They had a bunch of medicinal uses and preparations for common flowers that we today see as ornamental. Few of them were: aster, tansy, day lilies, rose, daisy, etc.

I think in ancient times there was this lost art of utilizing flowers for different things. Medicinal, natural pesticides, etc. If anyone knows what this book is or any book like this or care to share any thoughts.

I thought it was a really neat source of information. It was a lot of flowers that most of us grow to be ornamental.

Riona Abhainn

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I'm guessing you don't have the book anymore? I'm also guessing it was hardbound?

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Rad Anthony

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No I don't.

I was at a bookstore and remember looking through it for a while. It looked like it was written in medieval style or time.

Anne Miller

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To me, back in medieval times flowers were used much as they are used today.

Flowers brighten a room ...

flowers have medicinal uses ...

Flowers can be eaten ...

what were other uses in medieval times/

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Rad Anthony

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I don’t remember exactly it’s been so long. A lot of concoctions to help with menstrual cramps, natural pesticides, intestinal worms and parasites, fevers and common illnesses, all sorts of ailments. But I remember it was regular old flowers you have in abundance at stores and what have you.

Some were soaked in oil, extracts, etc. I remember Tansy was a big one, daffodils, daylilies, and some more I forget. Man I’d love to come across that book again lol

Rad Anthony

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Yea I guess we do most of those things nowadays too.

Allan Babb

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posted 4 months ago

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There are plenty of Herbals out there, with a lot of them backed up by science, some even written by doctors. The book you found could be anything, but I seem to remember a Herbal that used wood cut prints for illustration. Maybe that's what you grabbed. Hard to tell really.

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There are the Bach Flower Remedies, developed by a doctor in the 1930s.

There is a lot of information about older herbal remedies. We have a number of herbalists here who post in the medicinal herbs forum. And then we have a number of people practicing herbal remedies in the SKIP Natural Medicine forum. So if you have any questions, share them and we will get you on the right track.

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Rad Anthony

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posted 4 months ago

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Thanks I sure will. I appreciate the wisdom.

Erika Gruber

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Location: Germany 7a

posted 4 months ago

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This ancient herbal knowledge is also available online—at least in German-speaking countries.
Here's an example.

Daisy - Medicinal Plant of the Year 2023

I also use medicinal plants and have a shelf for them in the basement.

Best regards
-----------------------------
www.miteigenenhaenden.de

Joylynn Hardesty

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posted 4 months ago

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My favorite herbalist is Sharrol Tilgnor. She has spent time with us here on Permies several times.

From her Permies profile:

Who is Sharol Tilgner?: I am an herbalist, licensed naturopathic physician, farmer/gardener, teacher and herbal medicine maker. My mission is to inspire and empower you with the healing wisdom of herbs. Learning about herbs gives us a tool to live a vital and energetic life. I have spent much of my 58 years wildcrafting, growing, preserving and using medicinal herbs. I am a fourth generation Oregonian, an organic/biodynamic farmer, physician, and herbalist. I teach others to grow, and preserve their food and medicine and stay healthy via natural methods. I reap tremendous joy from teaching people to take charge of their health care. Writing is one of the best ways to reach people, and share my knowledge as a physician/herbalist/farmer...

I recommend Herbal ABC's. Here is a whole Permies thread about the book. There are links there to purchase it.

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Jill Dyer

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posted 4 months ago

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Hi Rad - I wonder if the book you picked up was Gerard's Herball first published in 1597, so Elizabethan,
online at https://archive.org/details/ (the 1633 edition). I'm sure there have been many modern reprints though.
Another possibility is "The Complete Herbal" by Nicholas Culpeper which has been digitised by Project Gutenberg -: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/49513/49513-h/49513-h.htm There's a note from the transcriber that it's not a particularly good idea to follow the recipes . . .
More ideas to follow up -: https://www.botanicgardens.org.au/discover-and-learn/watch-listen-read/medieval-herbals-botanical-bookworms
Success in your sleuthing!

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r ranson

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I wonder if the book mentioned here is related?
https://permies.com/t/95206/Gorgeous-color-botanical-drawing-Passiflora#780435

It links to the Botanical Register which has amazing drawings as well as some historical uses of the plants.

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Jill Dyer

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posted 4 months ago

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When I gave it more thought, what came to mind was putting lavender in with the washed and stored bedlinens, and wormwood (Artemesia absinthium) for moth and other insect repelling, although that uses the leafy twigs. That could be useful now planted around apple trees to deter codling moth, eh? All sorts of herbs and flowers were mixed with rushes, reeds or straw to minimise smells? and deter fleas. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strewing_herb
Here's another Medieval Herbal from Project Gutenberg
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/51764/51764-h/51764-h.htm

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Rad Anthony

Posts: 151

Location: PA

posted 4 months ago

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Wow I appreciate y'all. These bits of wisdom are gold. I'm going to go through these when I get some time to think in peace. Been so doggone busy w work....if I see it I will remember. I remember how they drew the illustrations. Very arcane looking. Thanks for everything

Rad Anthony

Posts: 151

Location: PA

posted 3 months ago

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Hey I just wanted to say I finally found the book I was hunting for.

It's called "Tacuinum Sanitatis" from 14th century Italy.

It was a midevial guide for healthy living and gave allt types of oddball uses for common foods we eat today. I also checked out all the other resources y'all shared with me and bookmarked them. Thanks!

Rebecca Rosa

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posted 3 months ago

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I love making teas for enjoyment and medicinal use and enjoy making tea blends.
I also love dehydrating and using my own herbs and spices for culinary use and there are lots of good, reputable sources for up to date information on these uses.

I do have a cookbook called "To the King's Taste" with recipes from Richard II's court adapted for modern use. I was surprised by how much they seemed to love elder flower and elder syrup, especially

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Rad Anthony

Posts: 151

Location: PA

posted 3 months ago

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Yes I researched some common plants our grandparents and great grandparents grew, they were probably the last common wave of folks still utilizing this type of wisdom with herbs and plants. I think most likely until grocery stores became a thing.

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