M-O - Petersfield Physic Garden

MALLOW (Malva sylvestris) Common Mallow, Cheeses, High Mallow. The source of a yellow die. The flowers were spread on doorways and woven into garlands or chapters for celebrating May Day. Used to treat loss of appetite, bowel disorders, coughs, poor digestion, stones and gravel and scurvy.

MARSHMALLOW (Althaea officinalis) liquid obtained used as a love potion. Also used for wasp and bee stings, sore and swollen breasts, shortness of breath and chest complaints, convulsions and cramps, ear and eye problems, ruptures, swellings and tumours.

MEADOWSWEET (Filipendula/spiraea ulmaria) strewn on floors to give rooms a pleasant odour, used for flavouring wines, beer and vinegar. Used for eye problems, fevers, fluxes, and wounds.

MOTHERWORT (Leonurus cardiaca) makes mothers joyful and settles the womb, used for fainting and swooning, and kills worms.

MULLEIN (Verbascum nigrum) dried leaves and stems used as lamp wicks ( Candlewick Plant). Used for wide rand of lung disorders, colic and, outwardly, for piles.

OPIUM POPPY (Papaver somniferum) Illegal to extract the sap from the seed head. Seeds used as a food source. It is said four poppy seed bagels will produce a positive drug test. Used as a narcotic, easing pain and causing sleep, treating catarrh, cramps and nervous complaints.

OX-EYE DAISY (Leucanthemum vulgare) Girls would put the flower under their pillows to dream of their future husband) . Used to treat internal and external wounds and bruises, inflammations, liver disorders, sciatica and palsy (paralysis).