Eggarton Cottages, Eggarton Lane, Godmersham, Kent, CT4 7DY
Tel/Fax: 01227 730242
Biennial wildflower. Also known as Queen Anne's Lace, Bee's Nest and Bird's Nest. Although related to the culinary, orange carrot, the root of Wild Carrot s very different, being small, spindly and white. It has a strong smell and horrible taste! Hairy stems and finely-divided leaves, and umbels of white flowers, the central flowers of each umbel being bright red or deep purple. Height 3 ft or so (90 cm). Found a lot near the coast and in wasteland. Will flower all summer to frosts.
The word carrot is Celtic, meaning red. Daucus comes from the Greek "dais", to burn, referring to its pungency and stimulating properties. The name Bird's Nest comes from the plants resemblance to one when the seeds have ripened - the umbels then contract so that the head forms a hollow cup.
In ancient Scotland, Wild Carrots were dug up in late September in honour of St Michael, patron saint of the sea. Wild Carrot was also symbolic of fertility. On the Sunday before St Michael's Day, the women would dig up the carrots, singing special songs. They dug the plants up by removing soil in an equal-sided triangle, the plants were tied with red thread in bundles of three, and then presented to the men. The significance of three probably originated as symbolic of the three stages of a woman's life - girl-mother-crone (the symbolism later shifted to represent Father, Son and Holy Ghost).
Wild Carrot seeds were once popular in folk medicine as a means of birth control, a sort of "morning-after" pill. This is because the plant has also been used to encourage menstruation and induce uterine contractions. Infusion of the plant has been used for dropsy, bladder and kidney problems. Seeds are also good for flatulence, colic, hiccups, cough and dysentery. Old herbalists recommended a poultice of the roots for the pain of cancerous ulcers. Leaves were mixed with honey and laid on the sores/ulcers. Other applications of the plant have been for cystitis, gout, oedema. Oil is used in anti-wrinkle creams. Native American Indians used to steep the flowers in warm water and drink the liquid for diabetes. The small, central coloured flower was believed to be good for treating epilepsy.
Ancient Greeks and Romans used the plant as an anti-venom treatment and in love potions. Fashionable ladies used to wear the lacy green leaves in the hair for decoration. Sheep, cattle and horses will graze the plant, but it will taint milk if cows eat a lot of it.
Starlings are known for selecting vegetation with which to line their nests, and Wild Carrot is one of their choices - it contains the steroid B-sitosterol, which kills off fowl mite. How the starlings know this is a mystery . . . .
Wild Carrot makes a very decorative ornamental plant, but can be invasive so chop off seedheads before they scatter seed everywhere! Plant in sun.
*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*