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 | Scabious Other Names:
Botanical Name: Scabiosa columbaria
Family: N.O. Compositae |
Description: |
The Lesser Scabious is not uncommon on a chalky soil, and is distinguished from the former by its smaller size. The foliage is of a light hue and the leaves very finely cut into. The flowers are lilac, but in nearly globular heads, not so convex, the corollas being five-cleft, not four-cleft, and the outer florets larger than the inner, though not quite so large as in the Field Scabious. Its properties are similar to the larger species just described.
Scabious herb should be collected in July and August and dried. The root is no longer used. |
Ancient Lore: |
SCABIOUS SCABIOSA COLUMBARIA
The herb bruised and applied, in a short time loosens and draws out any splinter, or broken bone lying in the flesh.
It is a perennial growing to about three feet (90 cm) high with soft, hairy whitish-green leaves and round heads of pale blue flowers.
Where to find it: Dry pastures, cornfields.
Flowering time: Early to midsummer.
Astrology: Mercury owns this plant.
Medicinal virtues: It ripens and digests cold phlegm, voiding it forth by coughing and spitting, and therefore is effectual for coughs and shortness of breath. It also ripens inward ulcers. If the decoction of the herb be taken in wine it is good for the pleurisy.
Four ounces (100 g) of the juice taken in the morning, fasting, with a dram
(1.7 g) of mithridate, or Venice treacle, frees the heart from any infection of pestilence. After taking it, get a two hours 'sweat in bed and repeat the medicine as often as necessary.
The fresh herb bruised and applied to any carbuncle or plague sore will dissolve and break it in three hours.
The decoction of the roots taken for forty days together, or a dram (1.7 g) of the powder of them taken in whey, helps those that are troubled with running or spreading ulcers, tetters or ringworms.
Drinking the juice or decoction helps scabs and breakings out of the itch. The juice made into an ointment is effectual for the same purpose. Made up with powder of Borax and Samphire, the juice cleanses the skin of freckles, pimples, morphew and leprosy. Washing the head with the decoction cleanses it from dandruff, scurf, sores and the itch.
Modern uses: Homoeopathic physicians make use of the Field Scabious for the treatment of chronic irritating skin diseases, such as eczema. The name of the plant 'scabious' is derived from the Latin scabies, which means itch. The plant is not popular with modern herbalists. For carbuncles, Slippery Elm and Marsh Mallow are preferred. For internal and external ulcers and pleurisy, Comfrey is used. |
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