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Medieval Herbs Are Still Useful Today

by: LeeDobbins
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Word Count: 413

For millenniums, in all different cultures throughout the world, cultivating and reaping herbs has been performed. It was even considered a high art in medieval Europe. With the Greeks lacking medical know-how and technology, the Middle Ages relied heavily on Medieval herbs for medicines. The practice they used mixed knowledge through experience with balderdash, but they did know much that was well-grounded.

Beautiful and beneficial Medieval herb gardens provided families with medicine, food seasonings, and a place to escape from reality. The Cloisters in New York provides a modern-day version of these gardens. Despite being built years later in the 1930s, Cloisters was fashioned to look as much like the cloisters of old through treatises and poetry from the time. This goal was more than achieved.

The herb garden is prominently featured among The Cloisters' numerous sections. Despite the various types of New York weather that occur throughout the year, over 250 species are able to be grown.

This was loosely based on many sources but does not follow any of them perfectly. This resulted in elevated beds, wattle fences and a central wellhead which are all common traits of any Medieval herb garden model. Encompassed by orchards and a number of other plants, the Medieval herbs form the centerpiece of the garden, which any home practitioner would be envious of.

In the winter, many are placed inside pots that are similar to ones found in the period. This helps the fragile ones survive in the cold, harsh climate.

Herbs cultivated during Medieval times could be used for silly reasons like trying to ward off evil ghosts. It was believed that dill held magical powers. People also thought that they could be protected from the plague by rosemary. To try to treat epilepsy, sage was used.

Herbs were arranged at the Cloisters in nine sections corresponding to classifications used in the period. The first section holds Absinthe and Thistles, the second contains medical herbs, such as St. John's Wort and Liquorice. The third section holds Lavendar, Lemon Balm and other aromatics.

Some types of herbs were used for art and purposes such as encouraging love and marriage. These were thought to be 'magic' plants. The final group contains cooking herbs like Caraway, Fennel, Parsley, and Borage.

Despite the availability of the same plants, modern day herbalists are using medieval herbs less than in past times when their use was wide-spread. The medicinal properties of these herbs is more publicly discussed and correlates with similar uses of those in ancient times.