“PEDAGOGS”
international research journal ISSN:
2181-4027
_SJIF:
4.995
https://scientific-jl.com/ped
Volume-79, Issue-1, April -2025
71
PHYTONYMS USED IN ENGLISH FOLK MEDICINE
Matkarimova Gulira'no Abdullayevna
Mamun University Lecturer
Khiva City, Khorezm region, Republic of Uzbekistan
Tel: +998914340340
Abstract
This article examines the phytonyms employed in English folk medicine—
medicinal plants and their application throughout history, their relevance in modern
research, their nomenclature, and etymological analysis. It highlights the role of plants
in folk healing practices and analyzes ancient written sources on phytotherapy in
Britain. The etymology, traditional usage, and pharmacological features of these plants
are explored from the perspective of intercultural linguistics.
Keywords:
Phytonym, medicinal plants, English folk medicine, etymology, folk
healing, phytotherapy, phytochemistry, intercultural linguistics.
Introduction
Since ancient times, humanity has sought healing through the blessings of nature.
In particular, medicinal plants have played a significant role in people’s lives. The
British people have also used various herbs to treat illnesses since ancient times. This
article analyzes some of the well-known plants used in English folk medicine, their
etymology, mentions in historical sources, and their place in modern medicine.
Additionally, a comparative analysis of plant names in Uzbek and English reveals
cultural linguistic similarities and differences.
Discussion and Results.
Humans have used medicinal herbs to treat diseases since they first began to
benefit from nature’s resources. Around 3–4 thousand years ago, written works
describing the healing properties of plants appeared in India, China, and Ancient Egypt.
In Uzbekistan, cultivating medicinal plants, producing quality herbal products, and
enriching the local flora with new introduced plant species contributes to increasing
plant diversity and supporting acclimatization efforts. The main goal of growing and
cultivating medicinal plants is to avoid harming the natural environment, meet the
needs of the pharmaceutical industry, grow them under controlled conditions, and
domesticate plants previously unknown in the country’s medical practice. In
conclusion, natural herbs and the medicines derived from them are considered safe and
effective for patients. As such, selecting medicinal plants, introducing new species, and
establishing plantations to expand local biodiversity are vital tasks today.
“PEDAGOGS”
international research journal ISSN:
2181-4027
_SJIF:
4.995
https://scientific-jl.com/ped
Volume-79, Issue-1, April -2025
72
In the United Kingdom, herbal medicine is also widely used, though it sometimes
sparks debate among the public. This is primarily because herbal remedies are often
used without the knowledge of healthcare professionals—doctors, nurses, or
pharmacists. They are usually distributed by herbalists who may not have formal
university education and are often unlicensed health practitioners. Currently, national
regulation in the UK is broadly aligned with the systems of other EU member states,
though herbal remedies are still considered part of alternative and traditional medicine.
Historically, the famous “Chelsea Physic Garden” in London served as a central
institution for herbal medicine and as a training center for apothecaries. Nicholas
Culpeper’s
Herbal
and John Gerard’s
The Herball, or Generall Historie of Plantes
are
considered some of the most significant written sources summarizing the medicinal
uses of plants [1, p.13].
Britain has a documented history of using medicinal herbs dating back to the
Anglo-Saxon period. Three significant manuscripts from the 10th century survive in
England:
Old English Herbarium
,
Bald’s Leechbook
, and
Lacnunga
. The
Old English
Herbarium
lists 185 plants, of which 140 have Anglo-Saxon names. For instance,
Achillea millefolium L.
, known in English as yarrow, had the Anglo-Saxon name
“gearwe.” It was used for treating abdominal pain, digestive issues, fevers, headaches,
snake bites, and urinary complaints. Modern research has found that yarrow contains
several anti-inflammatory compounds, partially confirming its traditional use [2, p.28].
A similar manuscript in Welsh, written after 1382—
Llyfr Coch Hergest
(The Red
Book of Hergest)—is a large parchment collection. It preserves prose and poetry from
Welsh tradition, including the
Mabinogion
tales. A significant portion of the book,
The
Physicians of Myddfai
, describes herbal remedies compiled by a family of physicians
whose lineage lasted over 500 years in Wales.
One of the most famous English herbalists (and astrologers) of the 17th century
was Nicholas Culpeper (1616–1654), also known as “The English Physician.” His
Culpeper's Herbal
remains widely popular and often rivals Gerard’s work in influence.
However, Culpeper’s harsh criticism of orthodox medical practitioners led to tensions
with many physicians. He described native British plants that could be used to
“preserve the health of the div” and heal various ailments. He is also known for
A
Physicall Directory
(1649), an English translation of the Latin
Pharmacopoeia
Londinensis
from 1618 [3, p.6].
In recent decades, the discovery that the therapeutic properties of plants are linked
to specific molecules has led to the development of phytochemistry—a field of research
focused on studying the chemical structures of compounds in plants. Once isolated and
analyzed, some of these compounds are turned into drugs or chemically modified for
medical use. Examples of such purified plant-based medicines used in modern
medicine include:
“PEDAGOGS”
international research journal ISSN:
2181-4027
_SJIF:
4.995
https://scientific-jl.com/ped
Volume-79, Issue-1, April -2025
73
Elderberry (
Sambucus nigra
).
In Uzbek:
Qoraqarag‘at
. The scientific name
Sambucus
derives from the ancient
Greek σαμβύκη (
sambúkē
), a type of musical instrument made from the plant’s
branches. The English name
elderberry
comes from the Anglo-Saxon word
aeld
,
meaning “to burn” or “fire,” since the hollow stems were used to blow air into fires [4,
p.448].
In Uzbek,
qoraqarag‘at
is derived from the Uzbek adjective
qora
(“black”) and
the Tajik noun
qand
(a kind of sweet or small fruit), referring to a small, tart, juicy,
dark-colored berry from a wild shrub growing in mountainous regions [5, p.272]. The
fruits and flowers are traditionally used to treat colds, flu, and various infections.
Chamomile (
Matricaria chamomilla
).
In Uzbek:
Moychechak
or
Romashka
. The word
chamomile
comes from the Greek
χαμαίμηλον (
chamaimēlon
), meaning “earth apple,” due to the apple-like scent of the
plant [6].
The Latin genus name
Matricaria
is related to the Latin word
matrix
(womb), as
this plant was traditionally used in herbal medicine to treat menstrual cramps and sleep
disturbances [7]. Today, chamomile is widely recognized for its calming effects and is
often
used
to
relieve
anxiety,
insomnia,
and
digestive
issues.
In Uzbek,
moychechak
is a traditional name derived from Persian:
moy
(oil) and
chechak
(flower).
Rosemary (
Rosmarinus officinalis
).
In Uzbek:
Bibariya
(also
razmarin
). The Latin name
Rosmarinus
is believed to
come from
ros maris
, meaning “dew of the sea,” possibly referring to the dew-like
appearance of this coastal plant. Over time, it came to be associated with the Virgin
Mary, hence the English name “Mary’s rose” and the Uzbek name
bibariya
. Various
legends explain this connection. Traditionally, rosemary was used to improve memory,
blood circulation, and as an antioxidant [8, p.96].
Conclusion.
In conclusion, the plants used in English folk medicine are of great interest not
only from a historical perspective but also from scientific and linguistic viewpoints.
The cultural and etymological analysis of phytonyms helps us understand their place
in people’s lives and their relevance in modern medicine. Such analyses enrich
intercultural linguistics and contribute to integrating traditional knowledge with
scientific approaches.
References:
1.
Rhys, John (1901).
Celtic Folklore: Welsh and Manx
, Vol. 1. Oxford: Clarendon
Press.
2.
Watkins, F. (2011).
Pharmacological Explorations in Anglo-Saxon Herbs
.
University of Reading.
“PEDAGOGS”
international research journal ISSN:
2181-4027
_SJIF:
4.995
https://scientific-jl.com/ped
Volume-79, Issue-1, April -2025
74
3.
Arber, A. (1986).
Herbals: Their Origin and Evolution
. Cambridge University
Press.
4.
Niering, W. A., & Olmstead, N. C. (1985).
The Audubon Society Field Guide to
North American Wildflowers
. Knopf.
5.
Rahmatullayev, Sh. (2003).
O‘zbek tilining etimologik lug‘ati
. Toshkent:
Universitet nashriyoti.
6.
χαμαίμηλον, Liddell & Scott.
A Greek-English Lexicon
. Perseus.
7.
"Chamomile."
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
, NIH.
(2020).
8.
Seymour, Miranda (2002).
A Brief History of Thyme and Other Herbs
. p.96.
