Chenopodium vulvaria
Three small plants are growing under the watchful eye of Bart Backaert, Aalst. The smell, he writes, is already noticeable.
The Wandering Womb: Notes for a Work
‘Notes for a work’ is the six page text that I gave composer and vocalist Mariske Broeckmeyer as material for the sound work in ‘Travelogue of the Wandering Womb: Her Fantastic Encounters and Curious Utterings’.
Bouquet
Daucus carota. Bouquet. Wendy Morris 2019.
Aqua Matricariae
White bryony (Bryonia) roots juice 3 quarts; Feverfew (Tanecetum Matricaria /Parthanium) and Rue (Ruta graveolens) 3 pint each; Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) and Thyme (Thymus vulgare) leaves, Savin (Juniperus sabina) leaf tops; Tree of Life, Myrrh (could be Myrrhis odorata) leaf … Read More
Savin trees
According to Londa Schiebinger in her book Plants and Empire, “savin (Juniperus sabina) was European women’s abortifacient of choice. “ “Dioscorides knew it as an abortifacient, as did Galen, Avicenna, and Constantinus Africanus. Native to the south of Europe and … Read More
Receptaria : Savin pessary
This remedy, also given to abort a dead fetus and to promote afterbirth and menstruation, contained a number of likely effective abortifacients: Take half a pound of iris roots (Iris foetidissima / pseudacorus / germanica) and half an ounce of … Read More
Arrived by post today
“Activist Liv Strömquist riffs on outrageous obsessions with menstruation and genitalia”
The Diuretic Syrup
Take the Bark of the Roots of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and that of Parsley (Petroselinum crispum/sativum), each 8 ounces; Spring Water 3 quarts. Digest in a moderate Heat for a Night; then boil them together till a Quart be evaporated. … Read More
Hysteric Troches
Take of Asa Foetida (Ferula – dried latex/gum) and Galbanum (Ferula gummosa – aromatic gum resin) each 2 drams and half; Myrrh (Commiphora myrrh – resin), 2 drams; Castor (ricinus communis), a dram and half; Birthwort Root (Aristolochia clematitis), 2 … Read More