Botanica ... Softly, Softly

by Connie Handscomb

Title

Botanica ... Softly, Softly

Artist

Connie Handscomb

Medium

Photograph - Photography - Fine Art

Description

There is in all things an inexhaustible sweetness and purity, a silence that is a fountain of action and joy. It rises up in wordless gentleness and flows out to me from unseen roots of all creating being.
~ Thomas Merton
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Imperatorial ostruthium
Family : Umbelliferae

Astrantia bavarica, Astrantia carniolica, Astrantia major, Astrantia maxima, Astrantia minor
Family : Apiaceae

While today, the Astrantias are now used primarily as garden ornamentals, centuries ago it was used medicinally. The botanist and herbalist, John Gerard, published a famous illustrated botany book in 1597 - 'Great Herball, or Generall Historie of Plantes� (1480 pages!) - wherein the Masterwort is first described.

He describes the 'vertues' of the 'wilde Masterwort' this way:

"Herbe Gerard with his roots stamped and laid upon members that are troubled or vexed with the gout, swageth the paine, and taketh away the swelling and inflammations thereof, which occasioned the Germanes to give it the name Podagraria because of his vertues in curing the gout."

The root is the strongest part of the plant. Stomach and female ailments are aided with the use of Masterwort, and it is used in the treatment of migraines.

This beautiful wildflower is rarely found in its natural habitat any more. If it is to be found, it would most likely be in a cool meadow.

A wee bit of folklore: growing Masterwort in your garden will protect your family and home. If there is a habit you want to be rid of, or a project to complete, carry a piece of the plant with you to enhance your willpower.

Sources:
Wikipedia ; also the blog: "Name That Plant"
Gerard's Herbal [John Gerard's Historie of Plants']; ed. Marcus Woodward
The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Magical Plants [S. Gregg]

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Falling in love with this photogenic plant was easy to do: a step backward, a slight turn, a play with the Light ... and another magical image emerged. There were no digital enhancements to these images, merely Light frolicking with this fantasy flora presenting us with an aura of delicate delights, a series of ever-changing colours.

This little masterwort bud is beginning to open ... softly, softly ... its gentle evolvement belying the powerful benefits of its healing abilities. Captured in natural light; uncropped; unedited .. Nature in all its splendour.

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♥ Heartfelt Gratitude to FAA groups for featuring this image :

Global Flowers Photography
Macro Marvels



copyright © Connie Handscomb
Thank you for for respecting the copyright.
© All Rights Reserved

Uploaded

September 15th, 2016

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