Plant folklore - foxglove
Foxgloves have been associated with the folklore of the British Isles for centuries, the plant (Digitalis) having been known by many names. Tracing its roots back to Edward III (1327-1377), the foxglove's unique name has been a subject of intrigue and speculation. While most foreign monikers bear no reference to foxes, the Norwegian name "Revbielde," means ‘Foxbell’. Many believe 'foxglove' is derived from 'Folk's Glove,' while others refer to it as 'dead man's bells' or 'witches' gloves.'
Despite their beauty and striking appearance, foxgloves rank as one of our most poisonous plants with a compound extracted from their leaves, a cardiac glycoside, used in heart medications, most notably Digitoxin and Digoxin. It is thought that in 1775 Scottish doctor William Withering, persuaded a local gypsy to reveal the secret of her herbal heart remedy, unlocking the therapeutic potential of the foxglove and after ten years of research it entered into official use.
Despite its toxic nature, it’s believed that planting it in one's garden can grant the household protection, while others claim it attracts fairies and elves. The white spots decorating the throat of the tubular flowers are marks left by these fairies though some interpret them as a warning of the plant's lethal powers. In Scandinavia, folklore says that fairies taught foxes to ring the foxglove bells alerting each other to the approach of hunters. Placing foxglove leaves beneath the crib of a child stolen by fairies is thought to lure the mischievous spirits back, persuading them to return the child. According to another tale, mischievous fairies placed foxgloves flowers upon foxes paws as a means to quieten their footsteps, enabling them to silently approach their unsuspecting prey.
In Roman mythology, the foxglove plant played a pivotal role in a tale comprising envy and feminine power. J uno, the queen of the gods, was consumed by jealousy and resentment towards her husband, Jupiter, for giving birth to the goddess Minerva without a mother's involvement. Minerva had burst from the head of her father Jupiter. Enraged, Juno aired her grievances to Flora, the goddess of flowers, who ruled a domain containing a realm of beautiful blooms. Moved by Juno's plight, Flora tenderly caressed her with the delicate petals of a foxglove, lightly brushing its bell-shaped blossoms against Juno's breasts and belly. The foxglove's energy infused with Juno's own, and she found herself impregnated by the potent magic of the natural world. From this immaculate conception, Juno gave birth to Mars, the god of war, a fatherless figure, born solely from a union between Juno’s feminine power and the mystical properties of the foxglove.
In the 20th century as World War II raged on, a critical shortage of vital drugs required a resourceful approach. The British Ministry of Health established the County Herb Committee – a scheme that harnessed the power of medicinal plants to aid the war effort. Among the plants conscripted into service was the foxglove. Tonnes of foxglove leaves were harvested, carefully dried, and supplied to bolster the nation's dwindling medical reserves.
