#hellenic herbs

[koraki-grimoire]

Ancient Hellenic Herbs, O-Y

[Introduction & Index]

Oak (Drys) Species: Quercus ilex Identification: A tree with brown bark, medium to large green leaves, and distinctive nuts (acorns) Associations/Uses: Zeus, oracle of Dodona, Dryades, Byblis, the Golden Fleece, Balanos, Arkadian tribes, strength

Olive Tree (Elaia/Moria) Species: Olea europaea Identification: A greyish green tree with green to brown fruit Associations/Uses: Athene, Athens, Zeus, Moria (maiden), victory, Olympian Games, cooking, lamplight, lotion

Opium Poppy (Mêkôn) Species: Papaver somniferum Identification: A bright red flower with a black center and small, round black seeds Associations/Uses: Demeter, Hypnos, sleep, opium, sedation, Mekon (youth)

Oregano (Agrioriganos) Species: Origanum vulgare Identification: A sprawling herbaceous green plant with pink or purple flowers Associations/Uses: Luck, joy, Aphrodite, healing snakebite, marriage

Parsley/Wild Celery (Selinon) Species: Petroselinum sativum & Apium graveolens respectively Identification: Parsley and celery were equated by the Ancient Greeks Associations/Uses: Death, victory, a victor’s wreath, Poseidon, Zeus, Isthmian Games, Nemean Games

Pomegranate (Rhoa) Species: Punica granatum Identification: A tree with glossy green leaves and distinctive red fruit Associations/Uses: Persephone, the underworld, women, fertility, childbirth, astringent, Aphrodite

Rock-Rose (Kisthos) Species: Cistus incanus Identification: Low growing shrub with large yellow or pink flowers Associations/Uses: Poseidon, Medousa, aphrodisiac, incense, treating menstrual problems

Rose (Rhodon/Rhodinon) Species: Rosa gallica Identification: A thorny shrub with red, white or pink flowers Associations/Uses: Aphrodite, Adonis, love, passion, beauty, abduction of Kore, Eros, happiness, astringent, treating headaches

Rosemary (Aposplēnos/Dendrolibanon) Species: Rosmarinus officinalis Identification: An aromatic shrub with needle-esque leaves and sometimes purple, white, pink, or blue flowers Associations/Uses: Funerary rites, studying, memory, protection, health

Rough Bindweed (Smilax) Species: Smilax aspera Identification: A spiky climbing vine with red berries and pale green flowers Associations/Uses: Smilax (nymph), Dionysos, Dionysian orgies

Strawberry Tree (Komaros/Andrakhnos) Species: Arbutus andrachne & Arbutus unedo Identification: An evergreen tree with edible, round red fruit, and bell shaped flowers Associations/Uses: Hermes

Walnut (Karya Basilika) Species: Juglans regia Identification: A tree with nuts that have a distinctive wrinkly shape Associations/Uses: Karya (maiden), Dionysos, treating poison, treating dislocations, anti inflammatory, Artemis, prophecy, Katyatides (nymphs)

Wheat (Pyros) Species: Triticum vulgare Identification: A tall food crop with green shoots topped with seeds, golden when ripe Associations/Uses: Eleusinian Mysteries, Demeter, agriculture

Wild Basil (Pyknokomon/Klinopodion) Species: Clinopodium vulgare Identification: An edible plant with pointed and toothed oval leaves, square stem, and purple flowers Associations/Uses: Treating convulsions, venom antidote, anti inflammatory, protection, death

Wych Elm (Ptelea) Species: Ulmus glabra Identification: A tall tree with oval leaves Associations/Uses: Dionysos, Haides, graves, dreams, Eetion, Hesperide Erytheia, Ptelea (nymph)

Yew (Smilos/Milos/Taxos) Species: Taxus baccata Identification: A reddish-barked conifer with needle-like leaves and bright red berries Associations/Uses: Erinyes, Hekate, nekromankia, purification, death

[koraki-grimoire]

Ancient Hellenic Herbs - Introduction & Index

A three part compilation of various herbs and their perceived medicinal and spiritual uses in Ancient Greece.

Major disclaimer, do not take this as medical advice. The Greeks were very wrong about many things in terms of health care. Very, VERY wrong. Some 'medicines' were toxic. This collection especially is meant to only reference what the Ancient Greeks thought--it doesn't adhere to modern understanding of herbs, let alone medicine. This also isn't every herb in Greece.

Posts: Part 1 - A-D Part 2 - F-M Part 3 - O-Y

Main Sources: De Materia Medica Theoi.com

[koraki-grimoire]

Ancient Hellenic Herbs, F-M

[Introduction & Index]

Fennel (Narthêx) Species: Ferula communis Identification: A tall, yellow-flowering plant with a slow-burning pith Associations/Uses: Transporting fire, Prometheus, Dionysos, thrysos, torches

Fig Tree (Sykea) Species: Ficus carica Identification: A tall shrub or small tree with edible fruit Associations/Uses: Demeter, Dionysos, Sykeus (titan), Syke (nymph), Phytalos, orchards, prosperity, abundance, agriculture, epilepsy

Frankincense Tree (Libanos) Species: Boswellia carterii Identification: A tree that secretes the resin-sap frankincense Associations/Uses: Helios, Leukothoe, religious ceremonies, the Theoi

Grapevine (Ampelos) Species: Vitis vinifera Identification: A vine with purple clusters of edible berries Associations/Uses: Dionysos, viticulture, winemaking, Ampelos (satyr), Ampelos (nymph)

Hellebore (Helleboros) Species: Helleborus genus Identification: A toxic perennial with dark, leathery leaves and yellowish flowers Associations/Uses: Treating madness, poison, Proitos, Dionysos, Melampos

Hemlock (Kôneion) Species: Conium maculatum Identification: A plant with hollow, hairless stems and tiny white flowers Associations/Uses: Execution of criminals (Athens), nekromankia, pharmakeia

Iris (Iris/Agallis) Species: Iris attica, I. germanica, I. pallida Identification: A large purple, blue, white, or lilac bent flower Associations/Uses: Iris, abduction of Kore, treating coughs, treating swelling, warm compacts

Juniper (Arkeothos) Species: Juniperus oxycedrus Identification: A small, needle-leaved tree with small berries that go from green to red, and yellow cones Associations/Uses: Treating viper bites, purification, healing poison, protection, Medea

Larkspur (Hyakinthos) Species: Delphinium ajacis Identification: A perennial with tall stems and toxic purplish blue flowers Associations/Uses: Hyakinthos (youth), Apollon, mourning, abduction of Kore

Lily of the Valley (Ephemeron) Species: Convallaria majalis Identification: A toxic shade-favoring plant with hanging, sweet smelling bell-shaped flowers Associations/Uses: Treating toothache, astringent, Medea

Lotus (Lotinos/Lotos) Species: Ziziphus lotus Identification: A small tree with dark yellow fruit Associations/Uses: Lotus-Eaters, forgetting, sleep, apathy, aiding menstruation

Manna Ash (Melia) Species: Fraxinus ornus Identification: A grey tree with creamy white blooms, secrets a sap known as manna or honey-sap Associations/Uses: Honey, bees, Meliae, Melissa(e), spear of Akhilleus, Kouretes, Zeus, Ares

Milk Thistle (Silybon) Species: Silybum marianum Identification: A large green plant with white marbled leaves, many sharp spines, and round purple spiky flowers Associations/Uses: Liver health, emetic, blood health, cleansing

Mint (Minthê) Species: Mentha spicata Identification: A herbaceous plant with hairless stems and aromatic leaves Associations/Uses: Minthe (nymph), funerary rites, the afterlife, death, drink of the Eleusinian Mysteries, treating headaches

Moly/Snowdrop (Môlu) Species: Galanthus (most likely) Identification: A poisonous plant with drooping white flowers Associations/Uses: Kirke, curing poisons, protection from pharmakeia, protection from poison, periapta

Monkshood/Wolfsbane (Akoniton/Lykoktonon) Species: Aconitum napellus Identification: Purplish-blue flowering plant, highly poisonous, up to a meter tall Associations/Uses: Medea’s poison, wolf hunting, Kerberos, death, nekromankia, pharmakeia

Mugwort/Wormwood (Apsinthion/Abrotonon/Seriphos) Species: Artemisia arborescens, A. absinthium, A. vulgaris Identification: A herbaceous green plant with a sweet herbal scent, leaves with silver undersides, and pale round flowers Associations/Uses: Artemis, protection, poison antidote, treating bruises, winemaking, post-birth baths, ending menstruation, anti inflammation, repelling venomous animals

Myrrh (Smyrna/Myrra) Species: Commiphora myrrha Identification: A spiny desert tree with aromatic resin gum Associations/Uses: Incense, Aphrodite, shrines, Smyrna (maiden), Myrrha (maiden), Adonis, funerary rites

Myrtle (Myrsina/Myrtos) Species: Myrtus Identification: A small shrub with edible aromatic leaves, white flowers, and edible black-blue berries Associations/Uses: Aphrodite, Demeter, love, weddings, aphrodisiac, anti fatigue, Eleusinian Mysteries, funerary rites, brides, astringent, preventing indulgence

[koraki-grimoire]

Ancient Hellenic Herbs, A-D

[Introduction & Index]

Almond Tree (Amygdalea) Species: Prunus amygdalus Identification: A small tree with pinkish flowers and small, edible nuts Associations/Uses: Agdistis, marriage, fertility, love, hope, treating headaches, treating dog bites

Anemone/Windflower (Anemônê) Species: Anemone coronaria Identification: A toxic round flower with a black center in a range of colors Associations/Uses: Aphrodite, Adonis, Zephyros, the wind, spring, passing time

Anise (Anison) Species: Pimpinella anisum Identification: A flowering plant with licorice scent when crushed Associations/Uses: Ameinias, treating poison, aphrodisiac, sleep

Apple Tree (Mêlon) Species: Malus domestica Identification: Grey-barked tree with pink blossoms and medium edible fruit Associations/Uses: Love, marriage, Hera, Aphrodite, Eris, the Hesperides, romance

Asphodel (Asphodelos) Species: Asphodelus ramosus Identification: Small perennial with greyish-green leaves, white flowers with small brown streaks, toxic leaves in winter & edible tubers Associations/Uses: Haides, Persephone, Hekate, death, food of the dead, emetic

Barely (Krithê) Species: Hordeum vulgare Identification: A golden grain crop topped with seeds Associations/Uses: Drink of the Eleusinian Mysteries, Demeter, agriculture

Bay Laurel (Daphnê) Species: Laurus nobilis Identification: A small tree with edible, aromatic leaves and small black berries Associations/Uses: Apollon, Artemis, victory, Daphne (nymph), treating stings, purification, cleansing

Caraway (Karos) Species: Carum carvi Identification: A plant with feathery green leaves and small white clusters of flowers Associations/Uses: Stomach ailments, skin health, aphrodisiac, digestive health

Cedar (Kedros) Species: Cedrus libani Identification: A small, needle-leaved tree with round cones Associations/Uses: Artemis, preservation, ship building, strength, preserving dead bodies, sterility, stopping menstruation, repelling snakes

Chaste Tree (Lygos) Species: Vitex agnus castus Identification: A small tree or shrub with clusters of purple flowers Associations/Uses: Chastity, women’s medicine, Hera, Hestia, Artemis, Demeter, the Thesmophoria, calming sexual urges, disease of the uterus, basket making

Cherry Tree (Kraneia) Species: European cornel Identification: A small tree with yellow blossoms and bright red, edible fruit Associations/Uses: Swine-feed, Kraneia (nymph)

Cinnamon (Mosylon/Kinnamonon/Kasia) Species: Cinnamomum Identification: Reddish brown-barked tree with pointed oval-esque leaves Associations/Uses: Apollon, Dionysus, treating the blood, incense, treating sunburns, diuretic, wine flavoring, Phoinix

Cornflower (Kentaurion Makron) Species: Centaurea cyanus Identification: Bright blue star-like flower with some purple tint Associations/Uses: Kheiron, healing wounds, healing poison, anti inflammation, poultice for wounds

Cotton Thistle (Akantha Leuke) Species: Onopordium acanthum Identification: An extremely spiny herb with a round, spiked top and purple spiny flowers Associations/Uses: Protection from poisonous creatures, healing poison, protection, periapta

Crocus (Krokos) Species: Crocus sativus Identification: Purple flower with red stems and yellow stigmas, from which saffron is made Associations/Uses: Krokos (youth), Hermes, abduction of Kore, abduction of Europa, anti inflammation

Cumin (Kuminon) Species: Cuminum cyminum, C. odoratum Identification: A plant with many white or pink tiny flowers and small seeds with eight ridges Associations/Uses: Aphrodisiac, the Minoans, venom antidote, stopping menstruation and nosebleeds

Cypress (Kyparissos) Species: Cupressus sempervirens Identification: Evergreen cone-shaped tree with green needles and small, round cones Associations/Uses: Kyparissos (youth), grief, Apollon, Artemis, Asklepios, the underworld, insect repellant

Daffodil/Narcissus (Narkissos, Leirion) Species: Narcissus tazetta, N. poeticus, N. serotinus Identification: Yellow or cream flower with yellow trumpets Associations/Uses: Narkissos, abduction of Kore, numbing, hubris, Nemesis, emetic, joint pain, joint dislocation

Dandelion (Kondrille) Species: Taraxacum officinale Identification: A bright yellow flower with jagged green leaves, when seeding is round and white with seeds attached to feather-like stems Associations/Uses: Treating sunburn, healing viper bites, astringent, strength

Dill (Athinon) Species: Anethum graveolens Identification: A herb with many thin green branches and leaves and small yellow flowers Associations/Uses: Vitality, prosperity, mild diuretic, treating womb disorders, health of the vulva