The Old Ways of Root & Leaf ~ Explore Ancient Plant Wisdom

Ancient Romans harvesting herbs & flowers

The Herb Gardens That Saved Medicine After Rome...

After Rome fell, monasteries became some of the safest and most stable places in Europe. Monks copied ancient texts by hand, preserving works by classical writers such as Hippocrates, Dioscorides,...

The Herb Gardens That Saved Medicine After Rome...

After Rome fell, monasteries became some of the safest and most stable places in Europe. Monks copied ancient texts by hand, preserving works by classical writers such as Hippocrates, Dioscorides,...

Midieval monks working in the garden with a monastery in the background

Why Monks Became Europe’s Herbalists

Medieval monasteries were designed to be largely self-sufficient. Monks grew food, brewed beverages, and produced many of the items needed for daily life. Herb gardens played an important role in...

Why Monks Became Europe’s Herbalists

Medieval monasteries were designed to be largely self-sufficient. Monks grew food, brewed beverages, and produced many of the items needed for daily life. Herb gardens played an important role in...

A woman stirring a pot on a midieval stovetop with a kitchen witch doll hanging nearby

The Original Meaning of a “Kitchen Witch”

In truth, the original kitchen witch was not a supernatural figure. She was simply the person who understood the quiet craft of nourishing people. She knew which plants belonged in...

The Original Meaning of a “Kitchen Witch”

In truth, the original kitchen witch was not a supernatural figure. She was simply the person who understood the quiet craft of nourishing people. She knew which plants belonged in...

Garlic hanging in a midieval style window

Why Garlic Hung in So Many Cottage Windows

Garlic’s protective reputation eventually found its way into folklore. In Eastern European legends, garlic became associated with protection against evil spirits and vampires.

Why Garlic Hung in So Many Cottage Windows

Garlic’s protective reputation eventually found its way into folklore. In Eastern European legends, garlic became associated with protection against evil spirits and vampires.

Midieval students studying with rosemary tucked into their hair

The Herb That Medieval Students Wore in Their Hair

For centuries, rosemary carried a reputation as the herb of memory. The belief dates back at least to ancient Greece. Greek scholars were said to wear wreaths of rosemary while...

The Herb That Medieval Students Wore in Their Hair

For centuries, rosemary carried a reputation as the herb of memory. The belief dates back at least to ancient Greece. Greek scholars were said to wear wreaths of rosemary while...

IOllustration of medieval hands stuffing lavender into a mattress

Why Lavender Was Stuffed Into Mattresses in Old...

Today our mattresses are filled with springs and foam rather than straw and grasses. But the tradition of using lavender for comfort never really disappeared.  It turns out that sometimes...

Why Lavender Was Stuffed Into Mattresses in Old...

Today our mattresses are filled with springs and foam rather than straw and grasses. But the tradition of using lavender for comfort never really disappeared.  It turns out that sometimes...