Medieval Medicinal Plants

At the Cambridge University Botanical Gardens

Medieval Medicinal Plants with Dr Gwenda Kyd

“There is so much more to learn and understand with the links to our past view of health and art. I feel we are starting to do a 360 turn where the past is now answering some difficult questions the medical profession has been struggling with about the approach to wellness and illness.” (Shanaz Husain)

Rosemary

Dr Gwenda Kyd's talk brought to light some of the chemical properties of medieval medicinal plants.

Rosemary, for instance, is chemically known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also one of the plants that you can find at the Cambridge Central Mosque.

Chemical make up of Rosemary

Rosemary at the Cambridge Central Mosque

Gwenda Kyd

Medicines from plants

  • Ephedra distachya (Sea grape)

  • Madagascar periwrinkle (Catharanthus roseus)

  • Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort)

  • Salix alba (White willow)

  • Fever tree

  • (caption)

Cambridge Botanical gardens Medicines from plants trail

Illustrations of plants in Herbal of al-Ghafiqi

  • Gentian

  • Hufariqun (St John's Wort)

  • Jada

  • Kamadaryos (Germander)

  • Karfas (Celery)

  • Karfas (Celery)

  • Mandrake

  • Mandrake

  • Zanjabil (Ginger)

  • Zanjabil (Ginger)

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Historical inks from the natural world