I enjoy studying folklore, and I get immense pleasure from acquiring this knowledge. Therefore, I decided to start a new series dedicated to Celtic and Scandinavian folklore. I would like to share with you some topics related to flowers, plants, and fairy themes, which I believe harmoniously fit into my blog about a quiet life. So, today’s post is about the most interesting Scandinavian herbs.
Frigg’s Herb – The Grendand Night Violet, growing in Iceland, is named after one of the most famous goddesses of the pantheon. Frigg’s Herb is used to brew love potions, a very powerful love spell.
Baldr’s Eyelash – There is a plant so delicate that it is compared to Baldr’s eyelashes, and it is the whitest of all plants. Baldr’s Eyelash is one variety of chamomile. Besides Baldr’s Eyelash, there is also Freyja’s Eyelash (common daisy) and Völva’s Eyelash (sneezewort).
Thor’s Helmet – The helmet is associated with one of the mighty gods, but originally it comes from the family of aconites (monkshood, wolfsbane, and hellebore). The plant was used to fight wolves and added to bait as a poison for wolves. The name possibly traces back to the story of Thor losing his hand in the mouth of Fenrir.
Loki’s Money – Loki’s Money, or lesser rattlesnake root, is actually a useless field weed that parasitizes on winter crops.
Life Herb – In the pre-Christian culture of the northern Germanic peoples, the belief in the boundless power of herbs was embodied in the legendary Life Herb, which, according to legend, could, like the dead water from Russian fairy tales, reattach severed body parts when placed together and applied with this magical herb.
Bursting Herb – This mythical Bursting Herb has magical powers capable of opening locks, breaking shackles, and shattering rocks.
Sleep Thorn – The Slavic sleep-herb has a direct Scandinavian equivalent – the Sleep Thorn (svefn-þorn), which Odin used to put the disobedient Valkyrie Sigrdrifa to sleep.
Check out my similar posts: 8 Scents of Happiness and The perfume of yesteryear.
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