by law as a noxious weed (land holders have a legal obligation
to control it), because of the numbers of livestock killed by
it. Sheep and goats seem to consume a fair amount with some immunity
but horses and cattle are said to be often harmed particularly
when the plant is dried in hay/silage as they do not readily eat
it fresh. All parts of the plant are poisonous.
The plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, in isolation these
substances are highly toxic to the liver and have a cumulative
affect even when the whole plant is consumed.
Ragwort is a good food plant for the caterpillars
of many butterfly and moth species, and is one of only two species
that provide food for cinnabar moth caterpillars. Destroy this
plant all we like there is likely to still be quite a bit of it
so the attitude of DEFRA (that some native species are more equal
than others when it comes to biodiversity) is not too worrying,
at least in this case.
Throughout Scotland there was a belief that witches
and fairies travelled on ragwort stalks: 'Tell how wi' you on
ragweed nags, They skim the moors and dizzy crags [Robert burns,
Address to the Deil, verse 9, 1785]
After a man had finished the harvesting in some
parts of the Highlands, rivalry with his neighbours would lead
him to take the last sheaf of corn cut from his field and make
a small effigy of a Cailleach (old woman). This was then dressed
in docken and ragwort and given to neighbours who had not yet
finished taking in the harvest. It was thought that this represented
an invisible hag who would drain the slower reaper’s resources
over the coming winter. This obviously created a lot of tension
amongst rival crofters, and bloodshed was not unknown at the bestowal
of this corn dolly on a neighbour.
Non-medical uses of ragwort
A good green dye is obtained from the leaves,
though it is not very permanent. A yellow dye is obtained from
the flowers when alum is used as a mordant. Brown and orange can
also be obtained.
In the Hebrides it was once used for creel making but only because
of a lack of better plants also valued as a way to keep mice off
Medicinal uses of ragwort
Astringent, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emmenagogue,
of medical actions
The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and
is dried for later use. Use with caution, when applied internally
it can cause severe damage to the liver. See also the notes above
on toxicity. An emollient poultice is made from the leaves. The
juice of the plant is cooling and astringent, it is used as a
wash in burns, sores, cancerous ulcers and eye inflammations.
It makes a gargle for ulcerated mouths and throats and is also
said to take away the pain of a bee sting. Caution is advised
here since the plant is poisonous and some people develop a rash
from merely touching this plant. A decoction of the root is said
to be good for treating internal bruises and wounds. A homeopathic
remedy is made from the plant. It is used in the treatment of
dysmenorrhoea and other female complaints, internal haemorrhages.
Carmichael, A. (1997 reprint). Carmina Gadelica:
Hymns & incantations collected in the Highlands and Islands
of Scotland in the Last century. Floris Books, Edinburgh.
Plants For A Future,
Flora Celtica, www.floraceltica.com/,
Flora Celtica is an international project based at the Royal Botanic
Garden Edinburgh, documenting and promoting the knowledge and
sustainable use of native plants in the Celtic countries and regions