Cochlearia
officinalis - Common scurvy grass
 Common
names
Common scurvy grass
Scots names: screeby, spoon-wort
Gaelic names: am maraich (sailor), carran
Uses in Scotland
Many medical uses are recorded for scurvy grass.
Its name derives from its former use to treat scurvy, a disease caused by
vitamin C deficiency, and common whenever people did not have access to
regular supplies of fruit and vegetables. It was especially prevalent during
winter when much dried and salted food was eaten. Sailors were also
frequently afflicted with it. There are records of scurvy grass being
used as a remedy in Roman times, and Martin Martin mentions the Shetlanders
using it. In addition to its use against scurvy, he reported several
other uses of the plant, including chopping it and applying it fresh to
treat sharp 'stich-like' pains. On Skye, there are records of scurvy grass
being taken with fresh butter as an infusion, or mixed with melted bird
fat, to be used as a purgative.
As well as gathering the plant wild, it was also cultivated
in Scotland.
References
Beith, M. (1995). Healing threads. Polygon, Edinburgh.
Darwin, T. (1996). The Scots Herbal. Mercat Press, Edinburgh.
Fairweather, B (1986). Highland Plant Lore. North Lorn Folk Museum
Wood, J. (1893). Scotch names of native wild flowers. Allan &
Ferguson, Glasgow.
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