The Old Herbs of the Cunning Women

Before pharmacies and modern medicine, the cunning women and village healers turned to the hedgerows, gardens, and wild green places for their remedies. Many of these ancient herbs are still grown today, carrying with them centuries of folklore, healing traditions, and quiet magic.

Feverfew was one of the most valued herbs in the cottage garden. Its small daisy-like flowers and bitter leaves were traditionally used for headaches, fevers, and inflammation. Feverfew prefers full sun and well-drained soil, often reseeding itself freely once established. The leaves and flowers are best harvested in midsummer just before full bloom, then hung in small bundles to dry in a dark, airy place.

Mustard, though common in kitchens, also held an important place in folk healing. Ground mustard seeds were used in warming poultices to ease chest congestion and aching joints. Easy to grow from seed, mustard thrives in cooler weather and can quickly fill a garden bed with bright yellow flowers. Once the seed pods dry on the stalk, they can be gathered and hung upside down indoors until fully cured.

Lady’s mantle, with its soft green leaves that catch morning dew like silver droplets, was long associated with women’s healing and lunar magic. Traditionally used for menstrual discomfort and wound care, it grows best in partial shade with moist soil. The leaves should be harvested before flowering and dried flat to preserve their delicate shape and color.

Borage, often called starflower, was considered a herb of courage and joy. Its brilliant blue blossoms attracted bees while its leaves and flowers were steeped into teas for melancholy and exhaustion. Borage grows easily in sunny gardens and self-seeds readily. Harvest flowers in the morning once fully open, and dry them carefully on screens or paper to maintain their vivid color.

Though centuries have passed, these herbs still connect us to the old ways — to candlelit kitchens, smoke-dark rafters, and the wisdom once carried quietly from healer to healer.

If you love stories about hedge witch/cunning women, check out my series called

THE WOMEN OF MIDSUMMER.

Find it HERE