26 [Lovage / Libbsticka (S) / Levisticum officinale] Lovage was believed to be an aphrodisiac, and was also planted around the house to protect against witches, rats and mice. To this day, it is still used in cooking for its taste-enhancing capacity. For example, it is one of the ingredients in many brands of driedContinue reading “Swedish ethnobotany (vi)”
Tag Archives: Bergianska trädgården in Stockholm
Swedish ethnobotany (v)
25 [Henbane / Bolmört (S) / Hyoscyamus niger] Henbane was a witch plant and used during medieval times to poison enemies. It was believed to be used in flying salve that witches put on their brooms before flying to dance with the devil. In small doses, it could also be given to hens, turning themContinue reading “Swedish ethnobotany (v)”
Swedish ethnobotany (iv)
24 [Chamomile / Kamomill (S) / Matricaria chamomilla] Chamomile was believed to be a heal-all herb. In ancient Egypt, it was dedicated to the sun. It was brought to Sweden, like many other herbs, by monks during the Middle Ages, but is now growing wild in meadows all over the southern half of the country.Continue reading “Swedish ethnobotany (iv)”
Swedish ethnobotany (iii)
23 [Lemon balm / Citronmeliss (S) / Melissa officinalis] Lemon balm was believed to protect against illnesses and to keep your body healthy in general. It was also seen as a love herb – if wine was spiced with lemon balm and then given to your loved one, it would evoke love in them. ItContinue reading “Swedish ethnobotany (iii)”
Swedish ethnobotany (ii)
22 [Common sage / Kryddsalvia (S) / Salvia officinalis] In the past, sage was believed to be one of the most potent herbs. It was dried and put into small bags that could be hung over the bed or put into the mattress, or turned into incense, and it would protect you and your homeContinue reading “Swedish ethnobotany (ii)”
Swedish ethnobotany (i)
21 [Garden thyme / Kryddtimjan (S) / Thymus vulgaris] Many herbs came to Sweden through monks from the European continent, and were first grown in monastery gardens, before spreading to the general public. So is the case with thyme, originally coming from the Mediterranean. Thyme was believed to give strength and courage, for example whenContinue reading “Swedish ethnobotany (i)”
Swedish ethnobotany (intro)
20 The Bergius botanic garden in Stockholm has very knowledgeable and passionate staff, who regularly organize topical guided tours in the garden. These days, those tours have all been postponed, so I choose to reminisce, while waiting for organized non-virtual edification to start up again. Some years ago, a couple of days before Midsummer, IContinue reading “Swedish ethnobotany (intro)”
silence
19 It’s been a while. Not because anything in particular happened. During a spring and summer like this, things happening could definitely be a possibility. Expected, even. But no. For me, age seems to come with an ever-growing deficiency of prompt follow-through. A new exciting idea must have distracted me. I have been busy withContinue reading “silence”
Bergius (iii)
17 The separation of the “wild” and the “unnatural” has a long history, but became all the rage among the nineteenth century naturalists and conservationists. This is also a time when many botanic gardens where established, which is why I think it is so rare to find sections with cultivated, non-ornamental plants in botanic gardens.Continue reading “Bergius (iii)”
Bergius (ii)
16 Maybe what I like the most in the Bergius Botanic Garden is the herb, fruit and vegetable garden. That is not a very common feature in botanic garden contexts, the cultivated and non-ornamental. Showing the plants that we rely on for sustenance and that might be the clearest examples of what can come outContinue reading “Bergius (ii)”
Katja Malmborg 