Medieval potions and modern lotions

Medieval medicine often conjures up images of bubbling potions and dubious cure-all ingredients like snails, said to heal anything from nosebleeds and headaches to spleen pain. With recipes passing between communities, across borders and down the generations, many herbs found in medieval remedies such as ginger and lavender are still commonly used today. But could there also be some medical merit behind many of the seemingly bizarre ingredients?

In this event, Claire Burridge will reveal the surprising uses of some weird and wonderful medieval ingredients and how this knowledge might benefit us today. She'll be joined by Nat Mady from Hackney Herbal, who will show you how to make your own soothing herbal tea blend, using a range of historic ingredients.

Join the conversation online too, using the hashtag #ForCuriousMinds.

Speakers:
Dr Claire Burridge, Leverhulme Early Career Fellow, University of Sheffield
Nat Mady, Hackney Herbal

Chair: Charlotte Hodgman, editor, BBC History Revealed

Claire Burridge is a recipient of a British School at Rome Residential Research Fellowship 2020-21.