Winter is a time of cold, shortened days of light when we are asked to move inwards both physically and energetically. This blend is uplifting, comforting, giving strength and courage for this patient’s concerns. To honour the cultural and linguistic heritage of Irish plant lore, the herbs will be referred to by their Irish names throughout. See Appendix for reference.
Urtica diocia (neantóg) belongs to the alterative herb group whose actions, according to Mills (1991/1993), help in treating auto immune conditions. Fighting infection and improving circulation to the tissues are a major indicator for treating chronic joint inflammation like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Bartram (1995/2015) describes neantóg being antirheumatic, stimulating the circulatory system and acting as a tonic for blood.
Ralph and Tassell (2020) explain that nutritious neantóg is gentle and adaptogenic, helping people to cope and adapt to life changes, internally or externally. This is beneficial during seasonal changes.
A further exploration of the metaphysical properties of herbs shows Cunningham (1984/2001) remarking neantóg being protective and healing, long used to keep negativity at bay.
The National Institute of Mental Health (2023) explains that Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), brought on by the seasonal change and daylight hours shortening, is the disruption of the hormones serotonin and melatonin that help regulate normal daily rhythms and functioning moods or behaviour. Some of the symptoms listed, including physical pain, are associated with depression.
Hypericum perforatum (lus na maighdine Muire) belongs to the tonic group described displaying adaptogenic and restorative qualities (Mills, 1991/1993). Restorative herbs, as described by Mills (1991/1993), have health benefits that that continue even after the treatment is complete. He states the anti inflammatory actions with the reputation for pain relief, writing of it’s use for depression and melancholic conditions too.
Traditionally, lus na maighdine Muire was harvested on Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. It could be suggested this plant, ruled by the sun (Cunningham, 1984/2001) gives strength during the darker days of the Grianstad an Geimhridh, “pause of the sun” at the winter solstice in December.
Glycyrrhiza glabra (liocras) is tonic herb. Long used to help with patient compliance because it tastes sweet. Ody (1993/1997) notes that this herb stimulates the production of hydrocortisone because of glycyrrhizan (a saponin glycoside) present thus giving an explanation to the herb’s anti inflammatory actions.
Liocras is described (Mills, 1985/1993) as having adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-like activity in the brain therefore acting as a stress reliever and Bartram (1995/2015) remarks that it is an anti-depressive also. He calls it the universal herb that has for a long time been used in Chinese traditional medicine for long life and strength.
Because it has been reported that liocras supports adrenal function, Hobbs (2024) points out that it is helpful for fatigue and stress. This illustrates how it may be supportive at winter when Christmas holidays can be an added stressor.
Compared to the other three herbs listed, and according to Cunningham (1984/2001), liocras is of the water element providing some balance to the fire qualities of the rest of group.
Bartram (1995/2015) describes Apium graveolens (smaileog) as having antirheumatic and anti inflammatory actions, assisting joint stiffness and pain associated with RA. He explains also the tonic effect on the digestive system. A study (Batten & Cock, 2022) claims that celery seed extracts have the potential to help prevent and help treat RA against a bacteria called P. mirabilis which has a role to play in triggering an autoimmune response in those who have the disease.
While this is good news, it must be noted the research was carried out in vitro and as Hobbs (2024) states more testing of a larger scale on humans needs to be carried out. Some research has been done on animals and shows the pain relief and anti inflammatory properties of smaileog but more investigation needs to be carried out to give it more credibility and help set up therapeutic guidelines. It is however beneficial for this patient to read that as a herb it is indicated for arthritis complaints but “particularly rheumatoid arthritis with depression”(Hobbs, 2024).
Another medicinal quality of smaileog is reported to be nervine, with Grieve (1931/1973) explaining that it encourages sleep and soothing calm.
Because it was grown mostly at winter and spring time in the past, Ody (1993/1997) thinks this made it popular as a cleansing tonic after the stillness of the season.
The prescription as a whole shows that all these herbs have a good synergy together. Flavonoids in all of the herbs indicate that all have anti inflammatory properties. The blood tonic actions of nettle provide nourishment while Ralph and Tassell (2020) mention the importance of keeping things moving with the kidneys as key in the treatment of RA. This diuretic action could possibly help with any fluid retention coming from the liocras actions.
Hypericin of lus na maighdine Muire has positive effects on the neuropathic chemicals of the brain. And liocras shows support for the adrenal health. Overall a restorative, soothing and uplifting mix.
Bartam (1995/2015) cautions outrightly, in regards to smaileog essential oil apiol, “Not taken in pregnancy”. We can dismiss this as long as the patient is post menopause.
The NHS (2023) website states one of the side effects of methotrexate is sun sensitivity (photosensitivity). While it is not reported what side affects the patient had while taking methotrexate, it must be noted that photosensitivity applies to lus na maighdine Muire internally (Dumitrescu et al., 2024). As she is not taking any other medication we do not need to be concerned about interfering with efficacy of particular drugs (Hobbs, 2024).
Liocras carries a caution for high blood pressure due to fluid retention but the patient is generally healthy and is not on any other drugs which could interact with the herb, in particular any of the digoxin based drugs (Ody, 1993/1997).
RA affects 40,000 people living with the condition in Ireland (O’Shea, 2024). Because the population is living longer, we will continue to see an increase of patients with this debilitating disease seeking help in our herbal clinics.
This patient shows a good awareness of her health. If she considered taking up some form of gentle exercise or yoga, this would be beneficial not just for her joints but mental health also. Perhaps, a winter strategy - a new hobby or class?
We honour the Cailleach (wise woman), knowing that even as she wields her power of destruction and winter darkness, she also gives way to the transformation and light of spring (Magan, 2022).
References
Bartram, T. (2015). Encyclopedia of herbal medicine. Robinson. (Original work published 1995)
Batten, J., & Cock, I. E. (2022). Antibacterial Activity and Toxicity Profiles of Apium graveolens L. Extracts and Conventional Antibiotics against Bacterial Triggers of some Autoimmune Diseases. Pharmacognosy Communications, 12(2), 56–64. https://doi.org/10.5530/pc.2022.2.13
Cunningham, S. (2001). Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs (2nd ed.). Llewellyn Publications. (Original work published 1984)
Devlin, Z. (2024). Irish Wildflowers Wildflowers Ireland Irish Wild Flora Wildflowers Plants Ireland. Wildflowersofireland.net. https://www.wildflowersofireland.net
Dumitrescu, G., Jîjie, A.-R., Manea, H. C., Moacă, E.-A., Iftode, A., Minda, D., Chioibaş, R., Dehelean, C.-A., & Vlad, C. S. (2024). New Insights Concerning Phytophotodermatitis Induced by Phototoxic Plants. Life, 14(8), 1019. https://doi.org/10.3390/life14081019
Grieve, M. (1973). A modern herbal : the medicinal, culinary, cosmetic, and economic properties, cultivation and folklore of herbs, grasses, fungi, shrubs and trees with all their modern scientific uses. Merchant. (Original work published 1931)
Hobbs, Dr. C. (2024, April 9). Dr. Christopher Hobbs, Ph.D. Dr. Christopher Hobbs, Ph.D. https://christopherhobbs.com/herbal-therapeutics-database/herb/
Magan, M. (2022). Listen to the Land Speak. Gill Books.
Mills, S. (1993). The A-Z of modern herbalism : a comprehensive guide to practical herbal therapy. Diamond Books. (Original work published 1985)
Mills, S. Y. (1993). The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine. Penguin. (Original work published 1991)
National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Seasonal Affective Disorder. Www.nimh.nih.gov; National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder
NHS. (2023, March 14). Side effects of methotrexate. Nhs.uk; NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/methotrexate/side-effects-of-methotrexate/
O’Shea, C. (2024, September 26). Research offers potential for early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention for rheumatoid arthritis. Www.tcd.ie. https://www.tcd.ie/news_events/articles/2024/research-breakthrough-offers-potential-for-early-treatment-intervention-for-rheumatoid-arthritis/
Ody, P. (1997). The Herb Society’s complete medicinal herbal. Dorling Kindersley. (Original work published 1993)
Ralph, A., & Tassell, M. (2020). Native Healers. Aeon Books.
Appendix
Herbs and Their Botanical Information
This appendix provides details on the four selected herbs, including their Irish names, common names, and scientific names. The Irish names were sourced from Devlin (2024)
Herb 1
• Scientific name: Urtica dioica
Herb 2
• Scientific name: Hypericum perforatum
Herb 3
• Scientific name: Glycyrrhiza glabra
Herb 3
• Scientific name: Apium graveolens
