Please note several things:
- We aren’t doctors, we aren’t even healers. Pretty much, we’re authors who make stuff up for a living and enjoy researching historical tidbits to share (especially the crazy ones). Do not try any of these herbs without consulting a doctor first.
- Yes, there is WAY more information about all the herbs we’re going to mention, and there are WAY more herbs than we list. However, it was an hour long class, and there really are only so many appropriate memes.
- We focused mainly on herbs we had on hand to do a fun show-and-tell with. Obviously being online you can’t see, touch, or smell these herbs. For that, we are humbly sorry (except we really feel we are owed a huge thanks on your part regarding the valerian root – just saying)
A brief intro about ourselves if you missed it in Part One...
This is the voice of Eliza Knight (yes, I totally just did that with my hands cupped around my mouth, because I’m a dork like that). I have always been fascinated by healing herbs and ways to heal the body naturally. It’s amazing how many things we did back in the day, that we still do now (and also a lot we figured out were a bad idea!) Because that is a part of my “real life,” I have added it to many of my books. Several of my heroines are able to use healing herbs to help people, and some use them as poisons. My favorite two herbal heroines are Shona from HIGHLANDER’S TOUCH and Julianna from THE HIGHLAND WARRIOR’S BRIDE. Shona is a healer, and is often called to the castle and village to help people, but she has also been nicknamed the Witch of the Wood, since people were so suspicious of women who could heal with herbs. Julianna, uses her herbal knowledge for good & bad. She’s a warrior, and uses poisons on her weapons.
Last week I introduced you to some of the poisonous herbs and how they can help... or not. Let's continue the: too much of a good thing can actually kill you… And sometimes it was on purpose discussion! Oh, and I'm going to give you some information on antidotes, too!
*Please note: we’re pretty certain poisoning on any level is a felony so just keep it in your reading and writing!*
Deadly Nightshade
Also known as belladonna. The deadly nightshade plant is
made up of beautiful berries that look and taste sweet. But beware!
One of the deadliest plants out there, its leaves, roots,
flowers and berries are all poisonous. And the sad part is the berries are very
attractive and tasty--but deadly. Many children are poisoned throughout the year
by eating the juicy, delicious berries.
Used for nefarious purposes or in an accidental overdose,
nightshade can be the end for any person. The poison juice from the plant was
used on weapons throughout history.
If ingested, the symptoms of poisoning
present quickly and include: dilated pupils,
sensitivity to light, blurred vision, accelerated heart rate, loss of balance/vertigo,
headache, rash, flushing, severely dry mouth and throat, slurred speech, inability
to urinate, constipation, hallucinations, delirium, and convulsions.
However, it was also used for medicine! Wait, what? Scary! Belladonna
can be used to relieve pain, as a muscle relaxer, an anti-inflammatory, and also
to treat menstrual problems, ulcers, and motion sickness.
Fun fact #1: Macbeth of Scotland, when he was still one of
the lieutenants of King Duncan I of Scotland, used it during a truce to poison
the troops of the invading King of England (Harold Harefoot), to the point that
the English troops were unable to stand their ground and had to retreat to
their ships.
Fun fact #2: It is suggested that in Romeo and Juliet,
Juliet drank the juice of a deadly nightshade berry to fall into her deathlike
sleep.
Monkshood
Also known as wolfsbane, monkshood helps reduce fever and
kills viruses. So why is it listed in our poison herbs section? Because it also
kills humans...
Historically, monkshood was used for fevers. It is also considered
an antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral.
Symptoms of monkshood poisoning may appear almost
immediately, usually not more than an hour later. Death can occur within 2-6
hours with a fatal poisoning. Large doses can produce death almost
instantaneously. The initial signs include:
nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, followed by a sensation of burning in the
abdomen, burning, tingling, and numbness inside the mouth and on the face. In
severe cases, motor weakness occurs and sensations of tingling and numbness will
spread to the limbs. The heart rate will increase and become irregular. Other symptoms
may include sweating, dizziness, difficulty in breathing, headache, and
confusion.
Fun fact: It is suggested that this would be the poison
Romeo used to end his life in the tragic play.
Oleander
Don’t let the prettiness of the petals fool you! All parts
of the plant can be deadly! Helpful tip: don’t use the sticks for your camping
cookout...
Symptoms of oleander poisoning include: severe vomiting and
diarrhea, sweating, coma, heart attack, and seizures.
How can something like that be helpful you ask?
Allegedly, oleander can be used as an antidote to a
snakebite… A poultice of the “fruit” can produce sweating to break a fever. A
salve can be used for relieve back pain…
The Babylonians and Romans used a mixture of oleander and
licorice to treat hangovers. Pliny, the Elder of ancient Greece, wrote about
the appearance and medicinal properties of oleander.
“But ye flower and the leaves have a power destructive of
dogs & of Asses & of Mules & and of most four-footed living
creatures, but a preserving one of men, being drank with wine against the
bitings of venemous beasts & ye more if you mixed it with Rue, but ye more
weak sort of living creature, as goats & sheep, die, if they drink ye
maceration of them.” ~Dioscorides, De Materia Medica, Book IV, 82
Anitdotes
No, there is no such thing as iocane powder… So, though we
all love the Dread Pirate Roberts, we can’t build up an immunity to it like he
did…
But there were antidotes to poisons—sometimes. Below I list
some of the most common antidotes!
1.
Vomiting.
2.
Prayer
3.
Commonly used antidotes for certain toxins were:
a.
mulberry leaves boiled in vinegar to combat
henbane
b.
garlic for serpent's bites
c.
frankincense for hemlock.
d.
Commonly thought to cure any poison: fennel
seeds boiled in wine, mugwort, mallow, meadowsweet, lovage.
e.
Oddly enough, some extremely toxic plants were
considered to be effective antidotes.
4.
To avoid being poisoned royals/nobles often had
taste testers. They would avoid new or unfamiliar foods. Gemstones, amulets,
special cups, charms and prayers were also used.
5.
When in doubt—pee on it.
6.
If you feel you are suffering from poison—call 911.
6.
If you feel you are suffering from poison—call 911.Subscribe to our newsletters for another awesome recipe! Mid-October, we sent out the healing balm recipe (which was also posted here), and in mid-November, we will sent out a pet paw ointment recipe for the coming winter!
Madeline: http://eepurl.com/biji1j
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| Eliza Knight & Madeline Martin at the Historical Romance Retreat |
ABOUT MADELINE MARTIN:
Madeline Martin is a USA TODAY Bestselling author of Scottish set historical romance novels. She lives a glitter-filled life in Jacksonville, Florida with her two daughters (known collectively as the minions) and a man so wonderful he's been dubbed Mr. Awesome. All shenanigans are detailed regularly on Twitter and on Facebook.
Madeline loves animals in sweaters, cat videos, wine and Nutella. Check out her FB page on any given Friday to see what great new book she's giving away by one of her fellow authors.
She also loves connecting with her readers, so feel free to follow her on any one of her social media platforms, or send her a message :)
FB page: https://www.facebook.com/MadelineMartinAuthor/
Twitter: @MadelineMMartin
ABOUT ELIZA KNIGHT:
Eliza Knight is an award-winning and USA Today bestselling indie author of over fifty sizzling historical romance and erotic romance. Under the name E. Knight, she pens rip-your-heart-out historical fiction. While not reading, writing or researching for her latest book, she chases after her three children. In her spare time (if there is such a thing…) she likes daydreaming, wine-tasting, traveling, hiking, staring at the stars, watching movies, shopping and visiting with family and friends. She lives atop a small mountain with her own knight in shining armor, three princesses and two very naughty puppies.
Website: www.elizaknight.com
Blog: www.historyundressed.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/elizaknightfiction
Twitter: @ElizaKnight
Instagram: @ElizaKnightFiction
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