Mushrooms.

Mushrooms.
Folklore.

Mushroom, the plant of immortality? That's what ancient Egyptians believed according to the Hieroglyphics of 4600 years ago. The delicious flavour of mushrooms intrigued the pharaohs of Egypt so much that they decreed that mushrooms were food for royalty and that no commoner could ever touch them. This assured themselves the entire supply of mushrooms.

In various other civilizations throughout the world including Russia, China, Greece, Mexico and Latin America, mushroom rituals were practiced. Many believed that mushrooms had properties that could produce super-human strength, help in finding lost objects and lead the soul to the realm of the gods.

For centuries, the sudden and rapid eruption of circles of mushrooms from the soil led people to believe that dark or terrible forces were at work. Lightning strikes, meteorites, shooting stars, earthly vapours, and witches have all been proposed as agents of their origin.

One common theme in all these traditions is the belief that dire consequences await anyone foolhardy enough to enter a fairy ring. Trespassers would be struck blind or lame, or even disappear to become slaves in the fairies' underground realm. In Wales the rings were associated with fertility and doom, and anyone foolish enough to plough one up would incur the wrath of the fairies. It was also widely believed that if animals grazed within a fairy ring their milk would putrefy.

On the positive side, fairy rings were said to bring good luck to houses built in fields where they occur. In another tradition, the rings were sites of buried treasure, but there was a catch, the treasure could only be retrieved with the help of fairies or witches.

Many cultures had other weird and wonderful explanations for the origins of fungi.

In parts of Africa, mushrooms were sometimes regarded as souls of the dead, or as symbols of the human soul.

Between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries, people in rural areas of central Europe would exhibit strange symptoms from time to time, dementia, facial distortions, hallucinations, convulsions, and paralysis. Cattle would stop producing milk, and other farm animals would also behave strangely. On many occasions these people were persecuted by religious zealots, tried as witches, and subjected to the cruellest of tortures. Thousands were executed in the name of Christianity.

We now know that these people were not possessed by evil spirits, but were exhibiting signs of ergot poisoning, after eating bread made from rye contaminated with the fungus Claviceps purpurea. Most 'bewitchments' took place in the cool, damp river valleys of south western Germany and south eastern France, where conditions were perfect for ergot to thrive and rye was a staple cereal crop.

Nearly 300 years after the notorious witchcraft trials in Salem, Massachusetts of 1692, there is compelling evidence that the accused in this case were also suffering from ergotism. The symptoms were again consistent with poisoning. Damp and rainy weather conditions recorded at the time were also ideal for ergot. The weather the following summer was drier and the bewitchments abruptly ended.

Fungal Folk Remedies.

Throughout history, folk healers have employed many medicinal qualities of the fungus kingdom, some real and others imagined.

The antibiotic properties of moulds have been known for countless generations. In the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the Knights Templar used mould extracts to treat infected wounds. Fungi have also been used in Europe as remedies for boils and abscesses, in gargles to treat throat infections, as laxatives, as contraceptives, and to remove skin blemishes.

The Stinkhorn (Phallus impudicus) has been used in Europe to treat rheumatism, epilepsy, gout, and skin cancer-but it was also blamed for outbreaks of cholera and madness! Puffballs have many uses. Their dried spores were used to staunch the flow of blood from wounds or nosebleeds; smouldering puffballs were once used to transfer fire from place to place; and beekeepers in some places still blow the spores of the giant puffball into hives to narcotize the bees.

Oriental herbalists have been using Reishi mushrooms (Ling Chi or Ling Zhi: Ganoderma lucidum) for some 4,000 years. These mushrooms are claimed to be effective against many ailments, including arthritis, several cancers, heart disease, and hepatitis. In western Africa fungi have been used to treat venereal diseases.

Less likely remedies include the wearing of a Cramp Ball (Daldinia concentrica) in the armpit to protect oneself from cramps. Other fungi have been claimed as aphrodisiacs-the recipe for one such potion calls for boiling a toad with some mushrooms in spring water. Young men in Lapland would carry a fungus (Trametes suaveolens) hanging from their waists when courting. Trametes has an anise-like odour that may work as an attractant, a deodorant, or not at all.

Fly Agaric.

This is one of Ireland's must distinctive mushrooms. It is found throughout the Northern Hemisphere and known for its unpredictable and potent poison. The cap is a bright scarlet colour with white to yellowish warts. The gills and stem are both white. Its favourite habitat is under pine and birch trees.

Its poisonous properties have had a fascination for humans over the centuries. When the Vikings invaded Ireland they are said to have eaten Fly Agaric before battle to make them demonic and behave in a berserk manner. Folklore from the Northern countries often refers to Fly Agaric as a gift from the gods to provide men with fearlessness and strength.

In Walt Dinsey's Fantasia a fairy ring of Fly Agaric shimmers into colour and shapes to the music of Tchailkovsky's Nutcracker Suite. The poison is not deadly, but its effects are unpredictable and it may cause death in some people. Generally though, there is a great variation in its effect.

In medieval times the mushroom was used to stupefy flies. It was added to milk and left around the house in dishes. In fact, in those times it was called the Bug Agaric.

In many cultures it has been used as a gateway to the 'other' world. When fresh it is very poisonous and you must be careful after handling it that it does not get into your system. Fly Agaric is found throughout the Northern Hemisphere and has been used by tribes in these areas during rituals that involve spirits. Even today, it is still used in some tribes in Eastern Siberia. The North American Indians also used it in a similar manner.

In 'civilized' Europe its use has given rise to the 'little people' such as faeries and leprechauns. Lewis Carroll was obviously familiar with its affects. In Alice in Wonderland there is a scene where a caterpillar is sitting on a mushroom (Fly Agaric) smoking a pipe and Alice is in front of him at mushroom height. She nibbles on the mushroom to make herself bigger and smaller. After the publication of Alice in Wonderland images of the Fly Agaric appeared in much Victorian literature. It was also painted on children's toys and cradles.

I shall write more about Fly Agaric in December concerning its association with Santa Claus.

Field trip to the bog.

Field trip to the bog

On October 6th we went on a field trip to a bog in Ballintubber County Mayo with the college.

Here are a few of the plants we saw. I’ve included a little folklore with them concerning their use.

Bog Cotton. Cursed by St.Patrick. Used for filling mattresses and pillows.

Bog Asphodel. Also known as Cruppany grass in County Donegal. Farmers believed that it gave their sheep foot rot or ‘Cruppany’. Also known as Bone-breaker for the same reason.

Bog Myrtle. Considered blessed in Irish folklore, Valued for its many uses which included being used to repel insects, flavour beer and provide yellow dye. It gives off o lovely fragrance when burnt. Leaves off the bush used to be put in linen presses to scent clothes and keep away moths and also into beds to repel fleas. The tops of the branches were used for tanning. The fruits were used in soups and stews to add flavour. Used for medicinal purposes to treat sore throats and kidney trouble. A sprig of Bog Myrtle would be tucked behind the ears or in the hat band to keep the bugs at bay. Herbalists have also been aware of the antibacterial properties of this native herb, known commonly as Sweet Gale. However its uses have been mostly forgotten in recent times. Scientists, who tend to be a little reticent at embracing herbalists' anecdotal evidence, are coming round to supporting Bog Myrtle as the next “big thing” in the pharmaceutical industry for use in skin creams for the treatment of acne. It is reputed to enhance healing through its antiseptic properties.

Sun Dew. Gives off sticky dew which is secreted by the leaves to trap flies & other insects in order to supply additional nourishment. It was said to be a love charm because of its ability to lure and trap other creatures and was known as the herb of love. In Ireland the leaves were boiled in milk (that of asses preferably) as a cure for whooping cough, asthma and Jaundice. Despite this, farmers suspected Sun Dew (wrongly) of giving their sheep liver rot. In ancient times Sun Dew was used by Celtic tribes for dyeing their hair.

Tormentil. The roots of Tormentil were boiled in milk and the milk then given to calves and children to cure them of colic. The name Tormentil reflects this. In Irish folk medicine a mixture of Tormentil, wine and milk was recommended for heart complaints and the roots were used to cure diarrhoea and colic. In Ireland it was also mixed with St.John’s Wort to produce a sleeping draught. The roots of Tormentil contain a lot of tannin and were used in Ireland for tanning, especially during the eighteenth century when tree bark had become scarce. The roots were also used for producing a red dye while the flowers were used to produce a yellow dye.

Devils Bit Scabious. In Ireland it was believed if cows eat a lot of them their milk will be very creamy and that it grew on land that would give good milk. Its name comes from the legend that the devil was jealous of all the healing qualities of the herb so he bit off the end off its root in spite. It was said to be a cure for the plague, fever, poison, venomous bites, bruises, falls, blood clots, swellings of throat, wind, worms, wounds, scurf, dandruff, pimples and freckles. It was used for coughs and internal inflammation. A decoction made from the root was used as a wash for skin eruptions and to clear the head of scurf, dandruff and sores. This emphasis on skin complaints is the origin of the name ‘Scabious’.

Heather. In Ireland it was used to make brooms and beds (springy branches). It was used as fuel for the fire. The flowers were used to make dye. It was a good fodder for livestock; it was used in the production of ale. Honey made from heather is highly prized. In Ireland heather tea was used in the treatment of a weak heart and also for curing coughs. It was also known as a cure for asthma.

Knapweed. In Ireland a decoction of its roots was used in folk medicine as a cure for jaundice and liver trouble and as a tonic for cleansing the system.

Deer’s Grass. The berries when boiled yield a black dye which is suitable for dyeing cloth.

Royal Fern. In Ireland the rhizomes were used in folk medicine as a cure for sprains, dislocations and bruises by boiling them down in water and bathing the effected part with the liquid. It was also used as a cure for rickets, rheumatism and sciatica.

It just goes to show Bogs CAN be interesting places.

Traditional Irish Herbs.

Traditional Irish Herbs.

Dandelions were cultivated at a Cistercian monastery in County Tipperary. Elders still claim that wherever Comfrey & Nettles grow together a monastery was sure to have existed on the site. Since comfrey is the cure for stinging nettles!
In many cemeteries you will often find self heal along the gravesides.

Prior to the 19th century the people relied on local healers, the old 'bean na luibheanna' and fairy doctors. There were few qualified doctors in rural Ireland. The two cultures lived side by side - the educated and those who believed in the underworld of the fairies, superstition and magic. The fairy doctors were said to have the cure for ailments caused by the fairies. For example, Fairy Dart was a severe attack of Rheumatism, which was treated with herbs such as Nettles, Willow Bark or Meadowsweet. These herbs contain salicin, an ingredient found in Aspirin.

The three most popular herbs used were Vervain, Eyebright and Yarrow, depending on the nature of the complaint. Vervain was once held sacred and gathered at special times of the day, on the rise of the Dog Star, when neither the sun nor moon was shining. Today Vervain is effective for treating liver conditions, gallstones and a relaxant in nervous conditions.

There was a fairyman in Coolcullen, County Kilkenny who had the ability to cure mastitis in cows. He made up an ointment of herbs, including wild garlic and butter for rubbing on the udder. The owner of the sick cow then went home without muttering a word to anyone. If he did, the remedy would not work and the spell is broken.

In rural Ireland for centuries folks chewed Feverfew leaves in a sandwich to prevent blisters, or just sniffing the scent of the plant. We now understand that Feverfew is an herbal remedy for Migraines and Arthritis.

One of the earliest Irish records of herbs used was on the battlefield of 3000 years BCE after the battle of Magh Tura, Co. Mayo, between the Firbolgs and invading Tuatha De Danaan, baths of herbs were prepared into which the wounded were plunged. The De Danaan also had a great physician named Dianacht, who recommended a porridge consisting of Hazel buds, Dandelion, Chickweed and Wood Sorrel boiled together with meal. This was used for the relief of colds, phlegm, throat troubles and worms up until the last century.

Early Irish physicians based their traditions and knowledge, not only on Galen & Hippocrates, but also on Dianacht. During and after the Battle of Clontarf (1014), soldiers returning from battlefields stuffed their wounds with Sphagnum Moss. Sphagnum Moss was used by roman soldiers as a field dressing and it was the responsibility of their centurion to make sure this was done.

Wild Garlic had its place in Irish Herb Lore and was used for coughs, asthma & shortness of breath. On the farms it was used for black leg in cattle. Farmers made an incision in the animal's neck and popped in a clove of garlic sealing it by typing the hairs from the skin together, thus the first sutures before Vets were available.

Hoarhound grows abundantly in ditches and was prepared in a strong brew used to bring on menstruation. The leaves of fresh Marshmallow were boiled and placed in dressings for sprains and swellings. Comfrey Root was commonly used after it was carefully dug up so as not to disturb the skin, grated and spread out on a clean cloth and applied over a broken bone, wound or bad bruise. It set up like plaster and was left there until it fell off.

A Study in Herbalism.

A Study in Herbalism.

Over hundreds of years the healing properties of plants and herbs has not changed. What our ancestors considered a healing plant or herb thousands of years ago is still a healing plant or herb today. Healers of the ancient world were expected to know their herbs, plants gave healing powers to those who studied them, worked with them and respected them.

A rich heritage of plant lore exists in Ireland and we can trace this heritage at least as far back as the Bronze Age. From the analysis of pollen grains we know that during this period people used Meadowsweet as a floral tribute at burial sites. From Druidic times to the present century, Ireland has had a long tradition of healing and excellence in medical education.

Today we have the opportunity to benefit from the accumulated herbal knowledge and wisdom of our ancestors and this allows us to look back through history harvesting for our own benefits the herbs that have stood the test of time. However, a great deal of credit for this knowledge should go to the women healers of the past for it was they who essentially began the work of learning and understanding herbs and because of their healing powers they were persecuted as witches, of course when the male physicians arrived on the scene they claimed the right and the credit for all this knowledge.

Many of the synthetic medicines that are on the market today owe their existence to natural herbs, plants and trees. St John’s Wort, Lavender, Feverfew, Witch hazel, the list is long, in fact the original painkiller marketed over a hundred years ago is a derivative of White Willow bark, its name is Aspirin.

Herbal medicine sometimes referred to as herbalism is the use of herbs for their therapeutic or medicinal value. An herb is a plant or part of a plant that is valued for its medicinal, aromatic or savoury qualities and they contain a variety of substances that act upon the body. Herbalists use the leaves, flowers, stems, berries and roots of plants to prevent, relieve and treat illness and herbal medicine has a long and respected history.

The World Health Organisation estimates that 4 billion people, 80% of the world population, have used or presently use herbal medicine for some aspect of their primary health care. Herbal medicine is a major component in all indigenous people’s traditional medicine and it is a common element of homeopathic and naturopathic medicine.

Major pharmaceutical companies are currently conducting extensive research on plant materials gathered from the rain forest and other places for their potential medicinal value. However, they need to be quick for at the rate of deforestation that is being carried out in South America, we may be losing hundreds or thousands of potential cures. Over the next series of posts I will be concentrating on various herbal remedies.

I must point out that you should always consult a qualified medical doctor as some herbal treatments may have a reaction to prescribed medication. Never stop your medication without consulting your G.P.

I use herbal remedies to compliment my prescribed medication with my doctor’s knowledge.