Hosted online by The British Academy on June 17, 2021
Abstract: Medieval medicine often conjures up images of bubbling potions and dubious cure-all ingredients like snails, said to heal anything from nosebleeds and headaches to spleen pain. With recipes passing between communities, across borders and down the generations, many herbs found in medieval remedies such as ginger and lavender are still commonly used today. But could there also be some medical merit behind many of the seemingly bizarre ingredients?
Medieval potions and modern lotions
Paper by Claire Burridge and Nat Mady
Hosted online by The British Academy on June 17, 2021
Abstract: Medieval medicine often conjures up images of bubbling potions and dubious cure-all ingredients like snails, said to heal anything from nosebleeds and headaches to spleen pain. With recipes passing between communities, across borders and down the generations, many herbs found in medieval remedies such as ginger and lavender are still commonly used today. But could there also be some medical merit behind many of the seemingly bizarre ingredients?
Dr Claire Burridge is a Leverhulme Early Career Fellow a the University of Sheffield. She is the author of “Incense in medicine: an early medieval perspective,” published in Early Medieval Europe. You can find Claire on Academia.edu or follow her on Twitter @ClaireBurridge3
Nat Mady is the founder of Hackney Herbal, which promotes health and well-being through herbs. You can follow her on Twitter @hackneyherbal
Top Image: Lady with a flask and herbs – British Library MS Harley 3802 f. 1r
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