Foxgloves: A Tale of Folklore, Medicine, and Magic
Folklorists are in a delightful tangle over the origins of the common name for Digitalis purpurea. In some enchanted corners of the British Isles, it's believed to be a charming twist on "folksglove," linking these ethereal flowers with the mischievous fairy folk. Meanwhile, in other regions, the plant goes by the whimsical moniker "fox fingers," with tales of foxes donning the blossoms as dainty gloves to keep their paws dry from the morning dew. Another captivating theory traces the name back to the Anglo-Saxon "foxes-gleow," where a "gleow" was a ring of bells. This legend finds its roots in Norse mythology, which imagines foxes adorning themselves with bell-shaped flowers as protective amulets against hunters and hounds. Each theory is a delightful thread in the rich tapestry of folklore surrounding this intriguing plant.
Foxgloves, those enchanting blooms, gift us digitalin, a glycoside revered in the treatment of heart disease. This potent plant has served as a heart tonic since the days of the Celts and Romans. Botanist Bobby J. Ward provides a captivating account of early foxglove use in his splendid book, A Contemplation Upon Flowers.
According to an old Welsh legend, the magical properties of foxglove were first noted by the meddygon, or Welsh physicians, in a rather mystical fashion. The tale, rooted in the early 13th century, tells of Rhiwallon, the physician to Prince Rhys the Hoarse of South Wales. One evening, as young Rhiwallon strolled beside a lake, a golden boat emerged from the mist, rowed by a beautiful maiden with golden oars. She vanished before he could utter a word. Each evening, Rhiwallon returned in hopes of seeing her again. When he sought advice from a wise man, he was told to offer her cheese. Doing as instructed, the maiden accepted his offering, came ashore, and eventually became his wife, blessing him with three sons.
Years later, when the youngest son became a man, Rhiwallon's wife took to the lake once more, returning with a magical, jewel-hinged box. She instructed Rhiwallon to strike her thrice so she could return to the mist forever. Reluctantly, the next morning, Rhiwallon tapped her shoulder three times after breakfast. A mist enveloped her, and she vanished, leaving behind a decorated box. Inside, the sons discovered a comprehensive list of medicinal herbs, including foxglove, with detailed instructions on their use and healing properties. Armed with this knowledge, the sons became renowned physicians, their fame echoing through history.
This plant, adored by fairies, is a delightful herald of their presence in the wild. Want to invite these mystical beings into your garden? Plant a few foxgloves and watch the magic unfold. Collecting dew from its blossoms is an age-old practice for crafting spells to communicate with fairies, but do remember to don gloves—digitalis, the plant's toxin, is no joke.
In the Scottish Borders, foxglove leaves were once scattered around babies' cradles to ward off bewitchment. Over in Shropshire, these same leaves found their way into children's shoes, doubling as protection against malevolent forces and a remedy for Scarlet Fever. But a word to the wise: avoid picking foxglove flowers. In Devon and Cornwall, it’s said to deprive the fairies, elves, and piskies of their beloved blooms, while in the north of England, bringing these flowers indoors is believed to invite none other than the Devil himself.
In Roman lore, the foxglove was a flower sacred to the goddess Flora. With a foxglove, Flora touched Hera on her breasts and belly to impregnate her with the god Mars. The plant has been associated with midwifery and feminine magick ever since—as well as with "white witches" (practitioners of benign and healing magic) who live in the wild with vixen familiars. The plant was considered sacred to the Virgin Mary in medieval gardens. In the earliest recordings of the Language of Flowers, foxgloves symbolized riddles, conundrums, and secrets, but by the Victorian era, they had devolved into the more negative symbol of insincerity, perhaps due to the association with tricksy, faery folk and the Fox, often depicted as a dishonest creature in late Victorian folktales.
So, next time you stroll past a patch of foxgloves, give a nod to the fairies and perhaps leave the flowers be—they’re best enjoyed in the wild, where their magic thrives.
In this delightful plant, folklore, fairy tales, herbal medicine, and mystical beliefs intertwine to create a captivating narrative that continues to enchant us to this day.
