Myths and Legends of Medicinal Plants
Plants that helped people with illness and hardship have always been valued and revered. Our ancestors, however, had no knowledge of the chemical compounds that interact with the human body. They therefore attributed the healing power of plants to divine forces and magic. It is no wonder that rich legends grew around their properties — stories that have survived to this day.
The Epic of Gilgamesh
One of the earliest surviving texts in human history, the Epic of Gilgamesh, already features a miraculous healing plant.
The epic tells, among other things, of Gilgamesh’s longing for eternal youth and immortality. He embarks on a difficult journey to obtain a mysterious plant said to grant these gifts. Although he eventually finds it, a serpent eats the plant before he can use it. Gilgamesh ultimately realizes that life must end in death and that the pursuit of immortality is futile.
Based on descriptions and historical clues, scholars believe the mythical plant may have been inspired by Illicium verum (star anise), known for its distinctive star-shaped fruit. Today, star anise is widely used as a spice and is valued for supporting digestion and relieving bloating. In Asia, it has also been added to ointments, balms, and incense blends for its intense fragrance.
The Sacred Hawthorn
One of the most sacred trees in European history is the hawthorn, particularly Crataegus. Today, hawthorn is commonly used to support cardiovascular health and help regulate blood pressure. In antiquity, however, it symbolized fertility.
Brides were adorned with hawthorn blossoms, and grooms wore its twigs as tokens of blessing. With the rise of Christianity, this symbolism changed. According to legend, Christ’s crown of thorns was woven from hawthorn branches, and the tree gradually became associated with sorrow and death.
In 2010, vandals damaged an ancient hawthorn tree in Glastonbury, England — likely unaware of its legendary significance. According to tradition, it was said to be descended from a tree that had grown from the staff of Joseph of Arimathea. He was believed to have traveled to Britain after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, bringing with him not only his staff but, according to legend, even the Holy Grail.
The legend remains alive today in a British Christmas tradition: each year, a branch from the Glastonbury thorn is cut and sent to the monarch as a token of goodwill, later displayed during Christmas celebrations.
The Legendary Mint
Mint also appears in ancient mythology. According to Greek legend, the god of the underworld, Hades, fell in love with the nymph Minthe. When his wife Persephone discovered the affair, she transformed Minthe into a humble but beautifully fragrant plant — mint.
We do not know which species of mint this myth refers to, but it was certainly not Mentha × piperita (peppermint), the most well-known variety in our region. Peppermint is a hybrid that likely originated in 17th-century England and was first formally described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus.
Peppermint is valued for relaxing bile ducts, easing digestive discomfort, and relieving menstrual cramps. It is also a common ingredient in many herbal tea blends, appreciated for its refreshing aroma and harmonizing effect.
