Author: Linné, Family: scrophulariaceae
One of the most well-known classic medicinal plants, and one of the few still used in modern medicine. It contains glucosides which are cardiac stimulants; these are extracted out of the leaves and used as constituents of standardized medical preparations.
NEVER try any self-medication with foxglove, it is one of our most poisonous plants and can easily cause death!
Photo by Robert Potts, California Academy of Sciences
More about foxglove in MGMH
Text References: Healing
| MH 12, 175-176 |
Rydag's Heart Attack
First think, Iza always said, what exactly is wrong. He's pale and
swollen up. He's having trouble breathing, and he's in pain. His pulse
is weak. His heart must work harder, make stronger pushes. What is best
to use? Datura, maybe? I don't think so. What about hellebore? Belladonna?
Henbane? Foxglove? Foxglove ... leaves of foxglove. It's // so strong.
It could kill him. But he will die without something strong enough to make
his heart work again. Then, how much to use? Should I boil it or steep
it? (...)
"I look for ... plant. Tall stem ... flowers hang down ... purple,
red spots inside. Big leaves, feel like fur, underside. Make heart ...
push. You know?" (...)
"Of course, purpurea, foxglove is another name. That's very strong
..." Mamut watched Ayla close her eyes and take a deep breath.
"Yes, but necessary. Must think, how much ..." |
| MH 12, 177 |
Rydag's Heart Attack
(...) Ayla measured out a quantity of dried foxglove leaves into her
palm and sprinkled it on the water simmering in the bowl. She waited then,
letting them steep and trying to stay calm, until finally the color and
her intuitive sense told her it was right. (...) This was not medicine
to be used lightly. The wrong dosage would kill him, and the strength in
the leaves of each plant was variable. (...)
She made him drink more, slowly, while she carefully watched his reactions:
changes in skin temperature and color, the movement of his eyes, the depth
of his breathing. |
| MH 12, 178 |
Rydag's Heart Attack
"That medicine was good."
Ayla nodded. "Yes, but strong. But he should take every day, some,
not much. Should take with other medicine. I will mix for him. You make
like tea, but boil little first. I will show. Give him small cup in morning,
another before sleep. He will pass water at night more, until swelling
down." (...)
"Medicine will help. Make Rydag feel better. Not pain so much," Ayla continued. "But I not have much. Leave most medicine in valley. I not think we go for long. Mamut knows foxglove, may have some."
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| MH 12, 178 |
Ayla hoped she had enough of the heart stimulant made from the digitalis foxglove leaves to last unti someone could go to get some, but wished even more that she had the rest of her own preparation with her. She wasn't sure of someone else's methods. She was always very careful to dry the large, fuzzy leaves slowly, in a cool, dark place out of the sun, to retain as much of the active principle as possible. |
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Abbreviations |
Editions |
| CB |
The Clan of the Cave Bear |
The page numbers refer to the hardcover editions by Crown Publishers, Inc, New York 1980, 1982, 1985, 1990.
Book 1-3 are the Special Collector's Edition, I don't know if the page numbers differ from those of the 'normal' hardcover editions. |
| VH |
The Valley of Horses |
| MH |
The Mammoth Hunters |
| PP |
The Plains of Passage |
| (...) |
omission |
Copyright |
| ... |
original in text |
All book quotes: © Copyright Jean M. Auel
The format and text contents of this site are the property of the author |
| MGMH |
'A Modern Herbal', by Mrs. M. Grieve |
Comments, suggestions, errors, anything else ... emails are welcome!
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Author: Linné, Family: scrophulariaceae