Medieval Herbalsim

Past societies didn't view food, medicine and magic as different categories.

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Think of how you might make someone a chicken soup when they're sick, or how XXX is thought to be good luck.

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Diet was one of the primary ways XXX improved their overall health. There are hundreds of plants that we nowadays considered weeds, that are in fact edible.

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One of my favourites to talk about here, is the dandelion. So many home owners spray pesticides, or fight to dig up the roots of dandelions to stop them coming back. But they are so useful for our gut health.

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The dandelion is a bitter food. Eating a leaf of a dandelion before a big meal can help stimulate the digestive juices. The buds can also be fried in olive oil and garlic as a tasty spring treat. The roots themselves can be boiled and fried like potato (alternatively, you can make a decoction to help your gut).

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We don't know 100% how people engaged with plants in the past, but through written documents, folklore and archaeological evidence, we can piece together ideas about what kind of plants were in their environment, which were cultivated, which they valued over others, and what kind of remedies they might be making to treat various ailments.

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If you're keen to learn more then XXX.