School: Donore (roll number 6668)

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1. Herbs and Weeds

   

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   Herbs and Weeds The most harmful weeds growing on our farm are thistles because they spread very quickly. Nettles are said to grow only in good land. Scutch grows only in poor land. There are certain herbs that have medicinal properties - nettle (young), the flannel leaf, the dock leaf, the yellow flower of the furze, and the marsh mallow. Young nettles were formerly used to purify the blood. The flannel leaf was used as a cure for consumption. The flower of the furze was used to cure a burn. Marsh mallows were used for curing sprains. Young nettles used to be minced with gurel and given to children in the Spring time. Nettles are also given to ducks and turkeys. The dock leaf is used as feeding for pigs. Water cress is eaten with salt. Wine is made from dandelions and elder berries. Ink is made from elder berries Ivy leaves are used for dying purposes and for cleaning dark clothes. Laurel leaves are used for flavouring puddings (rice etc) Bay leaf is used when potting herrings. Frances O'Toole (Scoláire) Got from - Mrs Annie O'Toole, (aged about 58) Donore, Drogheda

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   Topics

   1. activities
      1. medical practice
         1. folk medicine (~11,815)

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Frances O' Toole

   Gender

   Female

   Informant

   Mrs Annie O' Toole

   Gender

   Female

   Age

   58

   Address

   Donore, Co. Meath