Mediterranean Folk Medicine

Native to the eastern Mediterranean. Traditionally used in Turkey to aid digestion and boost appetite.

Fennel is native to the Mediterranean region (from the Mediterranean to Ethiopia and western Nepal, according to Kew and GBIF). Mediterranean and European folk medicine has long used it to aid digestion and relieve gas, for stomach upsets and constipation, for breathing problems, to reduce inflammation, and to increase breast milk in nursing mothers.

Technical detail: carminative, galactagogue.

Used as a laxative in ancient Greece, and to make linen in ancient Egypt.

Used historically in ancient Egypt and Greece for headaches, pneumonia, throat conditions and digestive problems.

The ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians used lavender as a medicine and for its scent. They valued it for fighting germs, calming, and easing inflammation. These traditional uses continued in European herbal medicine through the Middle Ages.

Technical detail: traditionally described as antiseptic, calming, anti-inflammatory and antioxidative.

Lemon juice used for scurvy, colds, sore throats, fever and rheumatism.

Leaf decoctions and teas used across the Mediterranean and North Africa for diabetes, heart, gut and joint problems.

The main dietary fat of the Mediterranean, long used on skin and hair.

Native to the Mediterranean region. It has long been used in Mediterranean and Iranian folk medicine, both as a cooking spice and as a traditional remedy for breathing problems, digestive complaints and infections.

Native to the central and eastern Mediterranean (Algeria, Greece, Morocco and the northwestern Balkans, according to Kew). The ancient Greeks and Romans used it for urinary complaints and to prevent kidney stones, and its medical use is recorded as far back as the Ebers Papyrus, an ancient Egyptian medical text.

The ancient Greeks recommended the seeds to prevent pregnancy and bring on periods, and the Romans used wild carrot in contraceptive preparations.

Native to the Mediterranean region, where it has long been used in cooking and in folk medicine for digestive complaints, muscle and joint pain, minor wounds and poor circulation.

In European folk medicine, sage leaf has long been used for indigestion, heavy sweating, memory and thinking complaints, and inflammation of the mouth, throat and skin. Germany's Commission E approved it for indigestion and heavy sweating. In parts of Asia and Latin America, folk use has also included seizures, ulcers, gout, rheumatism, dizziness, tremor, paralysis, diarrhea and high blood sugar.

Technical detail: dyspepsia, excessive perspiration, hyperglycemia.

In ancient Greek medicine, used for snake bites, stomach upset, menstrual cramps, low mood and wounds.

Native to the Mediterranean region. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used thyme for embalming, purification and disinfection. It has a long history of folk use across the Mediterranean and Europe for breathing problems, upset stomach, intestinal worms and minor wounds.