What is it about the change of season, the fresh gold leaves, the pumpkin spice, or the cooler weather that sparks our curiosity about nature? In herbal medicine, autumn teaches us to slow down after busy harvest days and embrace earlier sunsets and cooler mornings among withered flowers. Most of all, fall brings us an abundance of medicinal plants, corn, pumpkins and an appreciation for those who have worked with these plants in the past. Herbal folklore has taught us how to store herbs for the winter, who worked with medicinal plants and how they prepared herbal medicines.
What is herbal folklore?
Folklore is the traditional customs and beliefs passed down from generation to generation through word of mouth or literature. In herbal medicine, the traditional use of plant knowledge has been passed down through cuisines, gardens, midwives, and the cultures of indigenous peoples. Herbal folklore outlines the historical uses of medicinal plants, but most importantly it describes the people who first practiced herbal medicine
There are countless examples of herbal folklore spanning different cultures throughout history and around the world. It is no coincidence that we see yarrow growing near historical battlefields, as many historical figures carried yarrow leaves in their medicine pouches. According to folklore, Achilles, the Greek warrior, applied fresh yarrow leaves to battle wounds by rubbing the leaves vigorously in his hands and then applying this quick compress to the wound, which is why yarrow is named after the warrior: Achillea. His last name is millefoliumwhich translates to “a million leaves” because the leaves are made up of millions of small, soft, green leaves.
Another example of herbal folklore is the history of pumpkin use. In addition to our beloved Halloween holiday, pumpkins represent America’s gateway to fall festivities. Their presence in folklore can be traced back to people’s doorsteps to lure trick-o-treaters, or used in gardening contests, and even as a symbol of the struggle to abolish slavery in America during the 19th century. In 1865, pumpkins were made into pumpkin pie to symbolize the unity of our country after the abolition of slavery. They then became a traditional dessert every Thanksgiving.
Native Americans have a strong history in herbal folklore. Zea girl or Corn was sacred to many Native Americans and often used for medicinal purposes. The Navajo people used all parts of Zea girl. From the leaves they make ceremonial medicine compresses for night chants (Moerman). The corn leaves were mixed with tobacco and used for religious traditions by preparing a poultice during the winter months and singing during ceremonies for good health. The Mohegan people, another Native American tribe, prepared a decoction or strong tea with corn cobs to support healthy skin.
Finally, deeply rooted in Mexican tradition, vibrant marigolds are sacred symbols during Día De Los Muertos. Calendula officinaliS belongs to the marigold family and can easily be spotted in place of the traditional marigold. Both flowers have vibrant orange and yellow colors and are believed to lead deceased loved ones to altars or festivities to honor their lives.
What is ethnobotany?
It is important to note the difference between folklore and ethnobotany. Ethnobotany is the comprehensive record of people using plants for medicinal purposes in their native regions. Folklore speaks of the practice of people using plants for medicinal plants through cultural tradition, using practices passed down to them.
A profound example of ethnobotany can be found among enslaved African and Native Americans. Gossypium hirsutum, commonly known as Cotton Root Bark, enabled enslaved African and Native American women to provide themselves with reproductive health care and address pregnancy-related issues at a time when health care was not available to them. Cotton root was used by chewing the fresh bark, and the root and seeds were made into a strong decoction that was consumed in times of need. (L. Culpepper). The plant these women were forced to grow was the same plant that provided them with the necessary herbal care to protect themselves from the effects of sexual injustice.
Herbal folklore serves as one of the founding principles of herbalism. In the fall, we keep a close eye on our planting traditions and make our winter remedies with freshly harvested roots because our ancestors taught us to do so. As these folkloric traditions endure, they work in tandem with ethnobotany to advance plant medicine and secure its rightful place within modern, integrated health care.
References
- Moerman E., Daniel, Native American Ethnobotany. 1998 wood press, page 610)
- L. Culpepper. Gossypium spp. (Cotton Root Bark): A Symbol of Resistance, Vol.15, Number 2. PG 49-52).
Lauren Ann Nichols-Sheffler attended the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism and received her certificate in Medical Herbalism. She owns it Blue yarrow herbs also known as Herbal Vice, an herbal product company that practices bioregional herbal medicine by growing plants and sourcing locally. Lauren loves educating and advocating for plant sustainability. She is the purchasing and sourcing manager for WishGarden Herbs.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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