The name "lungwort" arose from the plant's supposed efficacity in treating respiratory ailments, a practice which came about through the "doctrine of signatures." This old belief stipulates that the medicinal uses of a plant can be determined through the plant's resemblance to an organ of the body. The appearance of Lobaria suggested the human lung, hence its application.
365Caws is now in its 14th year of publication, and was originally intended to end after 365 days. It has sometimes been difficult for me to find new material, particularly during the winter months, but now as I enter my own twilight years, I cannot guarantee that I will be able to provide daily posts. It is my hope that along the way I may have inspired someone to a greater curiosity about the natural world. If so, I can rest, content in the knowledge that my work here has been done.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Lettuce Lung, Lobaria Pulmonaria
The name "lungwort" arose from the plant's supposed efficacity in treating respiratory ailments, a practice which came about through the "doctrine of signatures." This old belief stipulates that the medicinal uses of a plant can be determined through the plant's resemblance to an organ of the body. The appearance of Lobaria suggested the human lung, hence its application.
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