P-R - Petersfield Physic Garden

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P-R

Herbs A-Z
Pennyroyal - Mentha pulegium
PENNYROYAL (Mentha pulegium) Food flavouring and flea deterrent. It provokes menstruation so was used to expel  the dead child and afterbirth . In Victorian times, to induce abortion. Also for chest complaints  and stomach disorders, jaundice and leprosy.
PERIWINKLE (Vinca major) since commonly found  in graveyards, was believed to protect the dead from evil spirits. Also used to treat hysteria and nightmares.
PLANTAIN (Plantago major) Way bread, Soldier's herb. Young leaves eaten as a salad green. Used to stop bleeding, bowel disorders, women's courses, dropsy, eye problems, falling sickness (epilepsy), fluxes, gout, headaches, inflammations, itch, jaundice, obstructions, rein or kidney disease, shingles, swellings, tetters and ringworm, ulcers, sores, cankers, fistulas, bloody urine and worms.
PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE (Lythrum salicaria) Herb Twopence, Grass Polly. Used for skin infections, vaginal discharges, nosebleeds and eye washes.
ROSEMARY (Rosemarinus officinalis) Food flavouring, in medieval times, included in all wedding bouquets as a symbol of fidelity, Mary, in her flight from Egypt, threw her cape over a Rosemary bush, the flowers turned from white to blue - the rose of Mary . Tucked under a pillow it was supposed to prevent nightmares . Used for treating falling sickness (epilepsy), palsy, whites ( vaginal discharge) and wind and toothache.
RUE (Ruta graveolens) used for flavouring beer, crushed leaves in nostrils to stop nose bleeds, a range of chest complaints, sciatica and St. Anthony's Fire. ( acute inflammatory disease of the skin)

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