Medicinal plants – the history and practice of herbalism

The spring edition of Natur Cymru includes an article about medicinal plants written by Bethan Wyn Jones. This article is published in Welsh and an English version can be seen here. There is reference to the use of nettles in socks as a mean of birth control! Has anyone tried this? 

Another common plant that is used is the foxglove (Digitalis purpurea).

This is the famous Digitalis that has been used to treat heart diseases,

 but, as with many other things, it needs to be used in moderation. 

A jot too much and it could be fatal.

Bethan Wyn Jones was brought up in Talwrn, Anglesey, and continues to live there. She graduated in Zoology from University of Wales College, Aberystwyth. She is a weekly contributor on ‘Galwadau Cynnar’, a BBC Welsh radio programme, and has a weekly column about various aspects of the natural world in the Herald Cymraeg, a Welsh supplement in the Daily Post. She has published several books including Bwrw Blwyddyn, Chwyn Joe Pye a Phincas Robin, Natur y Flwyddyn and theDoctor Dail series.