School: Cullahill (C.), Rathdowwney (roll number 13137)
- Location:
- Cullahill, Co. Laois
- Teacher: Mrs Baird
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0830, Page 262
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- XML School: Cullahill (C.), Rathdowwney
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- XML “Local Cures”
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- In years gone by, numerous cures were obtained through the medium of herbs. The herbs were usually stuped of boiled, and a drink made from them. The people who studied these herbs and prepared them for use were the quack doctors. Nowadays we seldom hear of the latter, although they were certainly very good.
Use was made of the roots, leaves, stalks and flowers. The roots were best collected in Spring or Autumn. Leaves are best gathered when the plant is in flower and might also be gathered when the flowers begin to wither. Flowers should be gathered when they are fully open, and a windy day is the best time to pick leaves or flowers.
Some of the most common medicinal herbs found growing wild are Dandeloin, Celadine, Bilberry, Marshmallow, Broom, Foxglove, Nettle, Elder and hemlock.
A bruised elder leaf rubbed on the face will keep insects away in the heat. Elderberry wine is very valuable for colds, and tea made from the flowers serve the same purpose.
The celadine is among the very earliest(continues on next page)
- Collector
- Eileen Dunne
- Gender
- Female
- Address
- Newtown, Co. Laois
- Informant
- Mr James Walsh
- Gender
- Male
- Address
- Ballykealy, Co. Laois
