Whilst traveling about, if you are wary of your social distancing capabilities, please consider the effectiveness of your protective garments. To be most effective in minimizing the effect of covid miasma, your beak must be stuffed with the finest of prophylactic odorants. Our doctors strongly suggest the following herbs:
Juniper berries
Juniper has been used to treat gastrointestinal maladies such as stomach upset, gas, heartburn, and intestinal parasites. It has also been used to treat ailments of the urinary system such as UTI and kidney stones.
Wormwood
Wormwood has also been used for digestive issues such as stomach pain and gallbladder disease. It has also also been used to treat psychological ailments such as depression, memory loss, and low sexual desire.
Mint
Your humble author uses mint quite frequently in teas to ease stomach pain associated with gastroparesis. Mint is also used to calm ones nerves, reduce anxiety, and to help one sleep.
Roses
The petals of roses have been used to decrease inflammation in order to promote wound healing and to treat rashes. The fruit of the rose, called the rose hip, is extremely high in vitamin C and A. An excellent immune boost.
Camphor
Camphor is used to relieve cough and is a topical pain reliever. It has been used to treat rashes, hemorrhoids, warts, and osteoarthritis.
Cloves
Cloves have been used as an anesthetic and antiseptic treatment for dental ailments. And far as your humble author is concerned, cloves also make an excellent spice for Indian cuisine and make wonderfully smelling cigarettes.
Laudanum
Laudanum is a tincture which contains 10% opium. It has been used to treat diarrhea and a cough suppressant, but is most commonly used to treat pain. Side effects include euphoria, sedation, constipation, and addiction.
Storax
Storax is used as a cough expectorant, used to treat bronchitis, and asthma. It is also used topically as an antiseptic to treat wounds, ulcers, eczema, ringworm, and scabies.
As I was sitting here locked inside my house, I started thinking. I’d learned previously that plague doctors had put herbs in their beak like masks, but I had no information about which herbs they used. It led me down a rabbit hole of internet searching for a list of herbs, then to photos of these herbs, then a list of medical uses of said herbs. I thought I would share my research with you all and I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to practice botanical illustration. I hope you enjoyed it.
I hope that you are healthy and that you are all taking good care of yourselves.
Jody Monochrome Art 