In
Celtic belief the Rowan ranks high amongst sacred plants, a staple
food of the gods of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Like many favoured
fruits and nuts: apples, peaches, almonds etc. the seeds probably
contain hydrogen cyanide, in small quantities, hydrogen cyanide
has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion,
it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer
but it causes respiratory failure and death in excess. It may
be tempting to see a significance in the fact that so many Eurasian
sacred 'foods of the gods' or 'foods of immortality' contain cyanide
but a short reflection shows that if the gods were to try and
avoid it they would not have much left to choose from for their
five a day.
There were once taboos in the Highlands against
the use of any parts of the tree apart from the berries, except
for ritual purposes. For example a threshing tool made of rowan
wood and called a buaitean was used on grain meant for rituals
and celebrations it was also sometimes used for churn staff, distaff,
the pin of the plough etc. Copulating beneath a Rowan was recommended
for those finding it difficult to conceive.
The Rowan is so long revered as one of the four
protective talismans from witches, bogles and the evil eye that
every country house is likely to have one near the front door.
In particular it was used to protect cattle and dairy products.
Used along with ivy and honeysuckle as a magical milk protector
(hoops of the stems placed under pails etc. to prevent the milk
from being stolen by witches, malign spirits or the shidhe (faerie
folk).).
"Roddin Tree and rede threde,
Hag stane an lammer bead,
Mak the witches tine thire speed."
A hag stane is usually a naturally holed
flint or a stone holed by a piddock (a stone boring marine
mollusc), lammer is amber.
Medicinal uses of rowan
Antibacterial, Antidote, Astringent, Demulcent,
Expectorant, Haemostatic, Laxative, Ophthalmic, Poultice.
Definitons
of medical actions
Ribwort plantain is a safe and effective treatment
for bleeding, it quickly staunches blood flow and encourages the
repair of damaged tissue. The leaves contain mucilage, tannin
and silic acid. An extract of them has antibacterial properties.
They have a bitter flavour and are astringent, demulcent, mildly
expectorant, haemostatic and ophthalmic. Internally, they are
used in the treatment of a wide range of complaints including
diarrhoea, gastritis, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome,
haemorrhage, haemorrhoids, cystitis, bronchitis, catarrh, sinusitis,
asthma and hay fever. They are used externally in treating skin
inflammations, malignant ulcers, cuts, stings etc. The heated
leaves are used as a wet dressing for wounds, swellings etc. The
root has been used as a remedy for the bite of rattlesnakes, it
is used in equal portions with Marrubium vulgare L. (White Horehound).
The seeds are used in the treatment of parasitic worms. Plantain
seeds contain up to 30% mucilage which swells up in the gut, acting
as a bulk laxative and soothing irritated membranes. Sometimes
the seed husks are used without the seeds. A distilled water made
from the plant makes an eye lotion.
Sources:
The Really WILD Food Guide,
www.countrylovers.co.uk/wildfoodjj/index.htm
Plants For A Future,
www.pfaf.org/index.html,
Flora Celtica, www.floraceltica.com/,
Flora Celtica is an international project based at the Royal Botanic
Garden Edinburgh, documenting and promoting the knowledge and
sustainable use of native plants in the Celtic countries and regions
of Europe.
http://www.treesforlife.org.uk/
