have been expected to have occupied an equally central place medicinally,
for lack of phytochemical efficacy does not seem to have been a barrier to
the use of other herbal species lucky enough to have acquired a magico-
religious halo. However, its role has been mainly the humdrum one of an
insecticide: either to repel fleas and other insects, especially by being put in
beds and linen (Caernarvonshire,^19 Isle of Man,^20 Galloway,^21 Islay and
Jura^22 ) or to destroy internal worms (most of the foregoing with the addition
of the Highlands^23 and Western Isles^24 more generally). Despite the lengthy
history of use for these purposes, the more recent, short-lived exploitation of
the plant commercially as a midge repellent, under the fitting brand name
Myrica, only came about through someone’s chancing to notice in Scotland
that midges avoid areas where this plant is plentiful.^25
Two additional uses have been recorded in Britain: as an emetic in Caer-
narvonshire^26 and, combined with other herbs, as an inhalant to clear a
blocked nose or sinuses in Cumbria.^27
Ireland can add to those uses kidney trouble in Donegal,^28 measles in
Sligo^29 and sore throats in Kildare.^30
Fagaceae
Fagus sylvaticaLinnaeus
beech
Europe
Despite the prevalence ofFagus sylvatica in southern England, only one
undoubted record of the use of this tree has been met with in the British folk
literature: an infusion of the buds taken for boils or piles in Gloucestershire.^31
An Irish record from Meath^32 was probably a mishearing of birch, known to
have been used there for the ailment in question.
Quercus petraea (Mattuschka) Lieblein
sessile oak
Europe
Quercus roburLinnaeus
pedunculate oak
Europe, Caucasus; introduced into Canada, New Zealand
The bark, leaves and acorns of both the native oaks,Quercus petraea and Q.
robur,are rich in tannin and have therefore come into use for their astringent
property. Despite the presence of both throughout the British Isles, records of
Elms to Docks 87