Blàthan-Leighis / Medicinal Plants
- Informant(s)
- Name
- Roderick MacPherson ( Ruairidh Mac a’ phearsain )
- Age
- 81
- Origin
- [Barra]
- Location
- Barraigh, Brudharnais [Barra, Bruernish]
- Date
- 09/1983
| A. Plant medicines | |
| 1. Diseases in the head area | |
| pionnd | mint. (Cha robh fios aige an e ainmear f. no b. a tha seo.) Disease: ceann goirt. Part used: every part, dried. How prepared: mint-tea. Sources of information: parents and people around. |
| piobar | pepper. Disease: sore tonsils. How prepared: put on tonsils with spoon-handle. Sources of information: parents and people around. |
| 2. Respiratory diseases | |
| pionnd | mint. Disease: asthma. How prepared: mint-tea. |
| 3. The blood | |
| cuach Phàdraig | (St.) Patrick’s wort. Disease: cuts. How prepared: leaf raw on cut. |
| còinneach | sphagnum moss. Disease: burst blister. Blister caused by back of shoe rubbing back of foot. Chafing between shoe and back of shoe [sic], after blister had burst and left open wound. How prepared: kept wet, and plaster on top. |
| 4. The bowels and stomach | |
| pionnd | mint. Disease: ruadh (rud sam bith a tha ceàrr air an stamaig). How prepared: tè. |
| 5. Bladder and kidneys | |
| 6. Other internal organs | |
| 7. Gynaecological complaints | |
| 8. Skin diseases not already mentioned | |
| 9. Acute diseases | |
| 10. The skeleton and muscles | |
| an fheanndag | nettle. Disease: rheumatics. How prepared: sting part affected. |
| B. Treatments which did not involve the use of plants | |
| cnàimh bod an dòbhrain | dried otter’s penis-bone – chewed to relieve toothache. |
| sùgh nam bàirneach | (am b. air a bhruich) purgative, whether ill or not. Also, to purify the blood. |
| [bidse] | bidse bh’air cuileanan a bhreith reimhid – bha i math gus creuchdan a leighiseadh le bhith gan imlich. |
| butter and boiled egg mixed | for diarrhoea. |
| peileir luaidhe | swallowed whole to cure appendicitis. (Eriskay) |
| gruthan an èisg | good for gut. Cooked in a ‘bonnach’. |
| stad-mhaighistir | cured by standing feet in warm water. |
| stad-uisge | cured by standing feet in warm water. |
| bainne-teth | cure for cholera (used in Hellisay, according to old man who lived in Bruernish). |
| bloineig-circe | rubbed on strained muscles. |
| C. Veterinary medicine | |
| [faochagan] | faochagan beaga glas gam pronnadh – for constipation in cattle. |
| D. What do you think is the English name for the plants called in Gaelic: | |
| E. Any further information about your sources | |
| F. Other information not covered above | |
© DASG
