Water Betony, Medicinal Plant, 1737
A Curious Herbal, Plate 86. The water betony or figwort was used against the pain and swelling of hemorrhoids, to cleanse the body of corrupt matter, heal wounds, and to relieve the "itch", or scabies. Nowadays, the dried flowers and leaves of the related great figwort are used for skin and digestive disorders and as a heart stimulant. The Water betony (Scrophularia umbrosa) is a perennial herbaceous plant found in temperate regions of the Northern hemisphere except western North America. The root of this plant was used in a decoction to rid the intestines of worms. The leaves can be harvested in June and July when they reach their peak and dried for later use. They can be applied fresh to wounds and skin rashes or cuts, or used in an ointment. The plant was thought to be able to cure the throat disease scrofula because of the throat-like shape of its flowers. Elizabeth Blackwell (1707-1758) was a famed Scottish illustrator and author who was best known as both the artist and engraver for the plates of "A Curious Herbal" (1737).
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