Anemia

This was sometimes informally known as bloodlessness and is a condition in which there is a lack of red blood corpuscles, or hemoglobin, caused either by inadequate production of red blood cells or prolonged loss of blood.

Traditional cures fro anemia includes nettle tea, which is rich in iron, often sweetened with some honey, or dandelion tea. Alternatively, an infusion of herbs could be taken, the herbs including alfalfa, centaury, dandelion root, rose-hip, watercress and yellow dock, both nettle, and yellow dock being exceptionally high in iron content.

Watercress, being rich in iron, was also used as a cure for anemia, as were wheat, carrots, cabbage, onions and apples. Comfrey was also an ancient cure for anemia, and angelica, barberry, fenugreek, fumitory, St. John’s wort and vervain were also used in treatment.

Anemone

Another common name is pasqueflower. The whole plant was used in traditional herbal remedies.

It was used in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough and respiratory disease generally. Disorders of the digestive system were also treated with it, as were some nervous problems.

Angelica

Angelica was once thought to have magical powers. It was thought to have the power to protect anyone using it from the powers of darkness.

It is chiefly used in crystallized form in cake decoration, but it was used widely in folk medicine. The roots were thought to be able to ward off infection, and in the Great Plague of 1665 many Londoners chewed pieces of angelica root in the belief that it would prevent them from catching the disease.

The plant was also used to stimulate the appetite. Flatulence and indigestion were also thought to be helped by it.

Angelica was also used as an expectorant in respiratory disorders, being used to alleviate colds, coughs, sore throats, influenza, and bronchitis. It was also used to bring down fevers.

It was thought to have extremely wide-ranging powers, being also useful in the treatment of urinary disorders and disorders of the kidneys. Muscular cramps and chilblains were also treated with it.

This is an impressive range of treatments, but these were not all. The plant was also thought to be instrumental in improving bad eyesight and deafness.

Antiseptics

Various herbs were known for their antiseptic powers in folk and herbal medicine. These included avens, costmary, garlic, oak, thyme, violet and woundwort.