Eggarton Cottages, Eggarton Lane, Godmersham, Kent, CT4 7DY
Tel/Fax: 01227 730242
Hardy perennial. Member of the Gentian family. Height about 1 ft (30 cm). Also called Feverwort. Found in the wild in scrub, by roadsides, wood margins and grassy areas. Believed in Tudor times that this plant could cure all sorts of illnesses, including killing tape worms and treating malaria. Also believed to be an effective antidote to snake-bite. Been used medicinally since 1AD. Very pretty pink flowers. Rare in north-east Scotland. �Erythraea� comes from the Greek for red. Due to the plant�s unpleasant, bitter taste, the ancients called it �fel terioe� � gall of the earth.
Name derives from ancient Greek legend � Chiron the centaur used centaury to heal a wound he received from Hydra, the many-headed serpent. Albertus Magnus wrote that if Centaury is mixed with the blood of a female hoopee and then put in a lamp with the oil, people would see themselves upside down! Folk on the Isle of Man believed Centaury grew along the route of Christ�s way to Calvary. The smoke from burning Centaury will frighten off snakes. Medieval witches mixed it with incense to increase their psychic powers.
According to Russian folklore, the good knight Fabian was turned into a forest spirit by his ex-wife, a sorceress � although her plan was originally to turn him into an evil spirit. She also made his castle vanish and turned his new bride into a Centaury flower.
Used to flavour herbal teas and wine. Flower tops are used to aid digestion. Can be used to treat dyspepsia, jaundice, hepatitis and fever. Yellowy-green dye can be obtained from the flowers. Has been used as a tonic to clean blood and kidneys, for colic, wounds, sores and rheumatism. Also has antiseptic properties. Used in Egypt to treat high blood pressure and kidney stones. It was once contained in Portland Powder in the 17th century for treating gout. Has been mixed with Barberry bark for jaundice. Centaury tea can stimulate appetite, aid digestion and sooth heartburn. Centaury is an ingredient in Vermouth.
Plant in full sun, any soil. Attracts moths.
CAUTION � SAP FROM LEAVES MAY CAUSE SKIN IRRITATION.
*This sheet is provided for information only and is in no way a prescription for use. Please seek the advice of a qualified herbalist before using*