Fractured Herbalism Plants Trivia Quiz

Answer: Cilantro

Also known as coriander, cilantro is native to a geographical band stretching from southern Europe, the north of Africa, and over to the south west areas of Asia. All parts of this plant can be eaten, but usually only the leaves and dried seeds are consumed. Some say it has a zesty flavour like lemon. Others liken it to soap, so it's presumed they don't munch into it then. The origin of the name dates right back to ancient Greece where it basically meant "bed bug" - and that unflattering description referred to the fact that the plant was said to smell like one of those creatures. Who on earth would want to smell bed bugs?

Cilantro is used to add flavour to many different foods of a savoury nature - chutney, salads, fish, meat, relish, pickles and so on. It is even used to make some Belgian beers - so maybe, because of the soap taste, that explains the froth on a glass of that liquid. Just kidding. Those practitioners of folk medicine have used this herb for hundreds of years to reduce seizures in people suffering from epilepsy.

Answer: Oregano

Oregano comes from the mint family of plants and is native to the Mediterranean area of the world, but of course has spread out from there. Also known as wild, or sweet, marjoram, oregano is used for ornamental purposes in a garden - apart from its medicinal and culinary uses. Bees and butterflies flock to it when it is in bloom.

It is a particularly favoured herb in Italian cooking, and when American soldiers returned home from the Second World War, they brought with them a demand for the "pizza herb" which they had enjoyed after consuming pizza in Italy. Oregano has been used in folk medicines for centuries, but has met a head on battle with food and drug authorities in this modern age.

Answer: Parsley

Parsley was native to Greece, Morocco, Sardinia and the former Yugoslavia, but this rather pretty and useful herb has spread far and wide since then. The curly and flat leaf versions are eaten but are usually used as a garnish on various dishes, whereas root parsley can either be eaten as a snack, or incorporated into many savoury dishes.

In traditional medicine, parsley is used to help ease the pain of colic, as a diuretic and to help ease the woes of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions - and was believed to help with heart disease and diabetes. In Ancient Rome, it was a symbol of death and rebirth, and used to decorate tombs. How cheerful. Women used this herb for centuries to bring on menses, and to expel the afterbirth following the happy delivery of a baby. Finally did you know that eating parsley can remove the smell of garlic on your breath? And that here in Australia, before the advent of deodorants, women used to rub parsley under their armpits for that purpose?

Answer: Rosemary

Rosemary, whose Latin name translates to "dew of the sea", is an aromatic little shrub native to the Mediterranean part of the world. Romans took the plant to England when they invaded that country, and, as they basically invaded every other country in sight, it spread to those areas as well. It was Charlemagne, however, who gave the herb its acceptance and official standing. He realised the medicinal and culinary qualities of assorted herbs, promoted their use, and specifically ordered that rosemary should be included in monastery gardens and on farms.

Rosemary is used in the perfume industry, as a decorative plant, to flavour foods, as a tea drink, in incense, soaps and shampoos, and as a symbol of remembrance in funeral and commemorative services. Australians in particular use this herb as a symbol of remembrance for the many, many soldiers who lost their lives in World War I in Gallipoli, as the herb grew wild on the peninsula there.

"Pray you, love, remember"...Shakespeare.

Answer: Basil

Basil, which is native to central Africa and the south-east parts of Asia, was once known as the "royal or kingly plant" as it was used to make perfumes for members of the royal families of the time.

Further research, though, has revealed that basil was used for centuries as an insect repellent, and the ancient Egyptians and Greeks believed it would help open the gates to heaven for anyone who has died (unless of course they were heading south), and that, in Portugal, it was traditional to give a sweetheart a small potted basil and poem on the feast of John the Baptist. Rather an unfortunate choice of day, all things considered. He was beheaded. Traditionally though, basil has been used for centuries in folk medicine to cure stomach pains, as a diuretic, to increase the appetite, to cure head colds and to treat worm infections and snake bites.

Answer: Aloe Vera

And hello to you too, Aloe Vera. This plant is just plain ugly in appearance, all spiky and prickly, but appearances are deceptive, and its uses are many. Originating from Arabia, a major benefit of Aloe is its healing ability on many skin conditions, medical as well as cosmetic. People have used it for several thousand years to treat burns, abrasions, some forms of skin cancer, and in cosmetics, skin lotion, soaps, gels, shaving cream, shampoo and the like. Do speak to an expert in its use, though, before you rush out to apply some to your skin. Just in case.

Some people plant it for its ornamental appeal - I can't think why - but it does produce a rather attractive flower I guess, if you can get past the prickly look, and, as far as consumption goes, the gel from the plant is used to make some yoghurts, desserts and even drinks. One tiny bit amusing additional use for Aloe vera gel is its inclusion in the manufacture of tissues during cold and flu season, as it helps relieve the redness and chafing on one's poor old proboscis associated with constant sneezing, blowing and wiping. Bless you!

Answer: Burdock

Burdock's family of plants also include daisies, asters and sunflowers, but this particular family member isn't particularly attractive, Both the pod and the flower are adorned with very prickly burrs, and various materials, such as hair, material fibre and fur tend to get stuck on this. In 1941, this is what led Swiss engineer, George de Mestral, to come up with the idea of the hook and look fastener (Velcro), when, after returning from a hunting trip with his dog one day, and noticing how hard it was to remove those burrs from his dog's fur, he saw the potential in the prickly, irritating things. The lovely thing about burdock, however, is that those little miracles of honeybees love its nectar and pollen.

Burdock root has been used for centuries to purify the blood and as a diuretic. It also contains various antioxidants, and, when consumed as a tea, folk medicine practitioners believe it helps ease the pain of inflammation and osteoarthritis. When applied on the skin, it also helps ease psorasias, acne and eczema. Don't try all this yourself - go to a reputable health food shop to purchase same, as in inexperienced hands, it can be a little risky. It's also supposed to be good for wrinkles as well, and is used in the manufacture of some skin products, but don't get your hopes up too high on that one. Caveat emptor, my friends. Burdock root, when dried, can be eaten raw or cooked, and sounds quite tasty. In Russia, for example, it's often used as a substitute for potato, and, during the medieval period in the UK in particular, this plant was frequently used to make a mild alcoholic drink. Cheers, so here's to mother nature.

Answer: Belladonna

Belladonna is part of the nightshade family of plants which also includes tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants. It is native to Europe, Turkey and most parts of western Asia. The name "belladonna" translates to "beautiful woman", but this plant is deadly so it's a bit insulting to liken it to a woman. If misused, its effects include sweating, excess urination, pressure on the heart, increased blood pressure, seizures, breathing problems and even death. Over time, it has been used by folk medicine experts to treat asthma, haemorhoids, Parkinson's disease and various other conditions, but this is unadvisable, given the toxicity of the plant. So give that particular beautiful lady a miss.

Did you know that women in Europe once used drops from this plant to dilate the pupils of their eyes? This is because men considered dilated eyes on a woman to be seductive and alluring. Oh, for Pete's sake, what next! Humans most definitely should never consume the berries of this plant, but animals can safely do so, and they spread it further in their manure. Birds also disperse it widely. Oddly enough in our modern age, and although the medical profession pooh-poohs most other folk medicine uses for herbs, belladonna extract (atropine) is used quite regularly in that profession, particularly by surgeons and eye specialists, and to treat unstable heart rhythms.

Answer: Papaya

Also known as pawpaw or papaw in various countries, papaya originated in South and Central America, and spread out to the globe from there. Produced on rather scrawny, unattractive looking trees, the flowers that come out on this plant prior to the fruit are very pretty and sweet smelling. Pollinators love them! The fruit of this plant is usually eaten raw when ripe. The seeds can be eaten as well, but that is an acquired taste. The green unripe fruit should be cooked first as otherwise it contains a substance that is not particularly good for you. Here in Australia, one way pawpaw is popularly consumed is by cutting the ripe fruit into cubes, then sprinkling lemon juice and a bit of sugar on top - yum.

In folk medicine, papaya is believed to protect against heart disease, reduce inflammation, soothe digestion problems and give the immune system a boost. And - this is interesting - did you know that a papaya tree can be hermaphrodite? It self pollinates. So amazing.

Answer: Turmeric

Turmeric is a perennial, flowering member of the ginger family. Native to India and south-east Asia, this plant thrives in hot rainy weather. When dried up and ground to a powder, it's a dark orange to yellow colour, with its strong flavour used in foods such as curries, popcorn, some cereals, and, believe it or not, ice-cream. Known for centuries in Asia, this plant was originally used as a dye, before it then evolved as a use in folk medicine to boost the body's antioxidants, reduce inflammation, improve blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure, and ease the pain of arthritis.

Scientists often pooh-pooh any and everything that hasn't come out of a laboratory, but there is still a lot to be said for ancient curative medicines. Though please do your own research first on reliable sites, or seek advice from experts in the field before trying any of the herbs and spices in this quiz.