Ivy and Umbellifers 183parsley’ known as tath lus in the Outer Hebrides, where, especially in Eriskay,
a preparation of that was once valued by women crofters as a sedative.^55
Anthriscus sylvestris is known to occur in those islands, though very sparsely.
In Ireland ‘wild parsley’ is similarly on record from Cavan^56 and West-
meath^57 as a remedy for kidney trouble. In the case of Westmeath, garden
parsley has also served as a source of the preparation in question.
Scandix pecten-veneris Linnaeus
shepherd’s-needle
central and southern Europe, western Asia; introduced into North
and South America, North and South Africa, Australasia
A plant known as ‘Adam’s needle’, one of the alternative names recorded for
Scandix pecten-veneris,has been used in Tipperary for toothache.^58
Myrrhis odorata (Linnaeus) Scopoli
sweet cicely
upland Europe; introduced (?) into Chile
A contemporary use ofMyrrhis odorata for coughs is known in Suffolk.58a
There is one veterinary record, from Teesdale, also.
Smyrnium olusatrum Linnaeus
Alexanders
south-western and southern Europe, Canary Islands
Once widely eaten as a vegetable as an alternative to celery and common in
many coastal areas, mainly in the west,Smyrnium olusatrum enjoyed a repu-
tation, especially among seafarers, of‘clearing’ the blood and preventing
scurvy. Crews of ships used to put ashore in Anglesey specially in order to
gather it.^59 On the Isle of Portland in Dorset it was known as ‘helrut’, credibly
assumed to be a corruption of heal-root.^60 It was perhaps as a relic of its con-
sumption for this general prophylactic purpose that the remains of the plant
have turned up in a level of Roman age in South Wales.
Two more specific uses of it have been recorded, however. On one of the
islands in the Outer Hebrides a broth made from lamb in which this and
lovage had been boiled was reckoned to be good for consumptives.^61 And in
the Isle of Man, where it was known as lus-ny-ollee and is still used by veteri-
nary doctors there for animals with sore mouths,^62 it at one time came in
handy as well when people had toothache.^63