to bliss he is brought;

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She is the lily of generosity,

She is the periwinkle of prowess,

She is the solsequium of sweetness,

     and the lady of loyalty.

                       "Blow, Northern Wind"
                        Harley 2253

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LI. Heliotrope, or solsequium

Spontaneously my fertile land

  brings forth spring

Shining flowers turn the summit

  saffron gold

Lesser settings fade, plants

  alone reveal

Why your Greek name is wisely given.

                              Aldhelm,
                              Riddle LI

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The calendula flower is good to see,

it makes the sight bright and clear;

wisely to look on its flowers

draws out of the head

the wicked humours.

                      Macer, On the Strengths
                      of Herbs

Rodewort... Þis flour hauyÞ a gret vertue, for what day Þou seist it, in Þat day shal nat Þe feuere take Þe, Þe whiche is clepid febris acuta. ...Who Þat hauyÞ Þis feuere on him, Þis si3t wole nat helpe him, but he shal take to him a lef an half lef of Þis herbe and soke hem in wyne and Þan drynke Þat wyn and Þe leues also.

                                                        Macer

Calendula ...This flower has great virtue, for on the day you see it, in that day the fever that is called febris acuta shall not affect you... Whoever has this fever already, the sight of calendula will not help him, but he shall take to him one and one-half leaves of this herb and soak them in wine, and then drink that wine and the leaves also.

                                       Macer

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Gif mon mið treowe geslegen sie oððe mid stane oððe byle on men gebersted . to Þon dolh sealf . gytÞrife . ontre . geloðwyrt . sigelhweorfa . gecnuwa Þa wyrta swiÞe gemeng wel wið buteran y on Þa ilcan wisan gerena the ic aer cweÞ.

                                              Leechbook,
                                              I.xxxviii.vii

If one be wounded by wood or by stone or if a boil bursts in one * for this wound a salve * corn cockle * silverweed * potentilla * calendula * pound the worts smooth  mix well with butter as I said above.

                                   Leechbook,
                                    I.xxxviii.vii

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Sealf wiÞ cancre . genim cu meoluc butan wætere læt weorÞan to fletum geÞwer to buteran ne wærc on wætre. Nim sigelhweorfan Þa smalan unwærcene  do cleane cnuca smooth gemeng wel wið Þære buteran do on Þannan ofer fyr awyl swiðe aseoh wel Þurh clað lacna mid Þy.

                                            Leechbook,
                                            I.xliv.ii

A salve for cancer * take cow's milk without water  churn it to cream  to make butter   do not wash in water.   Take the small calendula unwashed    make it clean   pound it thoroughly   mix it well with the butter in a pan over the fire seethe it smooth   strain well through a cloth  cure therewith.

                                  Leechbook, 
                                  I.xliv.ii

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Please note: Many plants have been used in past and present times for medicinal purposes, and as one of the focuses of Wyrtig is the history of gardening, these uses are discussed here. However, common sense requires that you consult your family physician or other health care provider before using any plant materials for medicinal purposes. The old saying that "A doctor who treats him- (or her-) self has a fool for a patient" is no less true in herbal medicine than in any other branch of the healing sciences. Herbal remedies should not be used by the uninformed; medical advice should be sought before using any herbal remedy.