Antall József – Buzinkay Géza szerk.: Népi gyógyítás Magyarországon / Orvostörténeti Közlemények – Supplementum 7-8. (Budapest, 1975)
Hoppál Mihály—Törő László: Népi gyógyítás Magyarországon (magyar és angol nyelven)
90 Comm. Hist. Art is Med. Suppl. 7—8. (1975) The medical handbook of the 16th century regarded it effective for headaches and strokes. 5 2 Another notable herb with many uses is centaury (Gentaurium Pų ehe iųm, C. uliginosum and C. minus). Folk medicine as well as pre-modern medical practice used it particulary for two conditions: intestinal ailments and wounds. Other illnesses treated include coughing, shivers. A handbook on medicinal herbs asserted: "Centaury is used in natural form or as prepared tea to improve appetite, to facilitate digestion, to purify blood circulation and to treat sluggish bowels, gall and liver ailments.'" 5 3 As a general summary of the utilization of medicinal herbs in Hungarian folk medicine, we can state the following conclusions: 1. Their internal use is a widespread practice. The plant, the seeds, the blossom, the leaves, the roots are consumed or the pressed juice in drunk. It is mixed in food or drink. Not so much consumption in its natural form, but primarily in a prepared or cooked condition is common. 2. Utilization in an external form is possible in a variety of ways. One possibility in the placement of the plant in natural state on the affected area of the body. For example plantain leaf is placed on the wound; potatoes, tomatoes and onions on boils; and snakeweed on wounds and cuts. Common confrey (Symphitum officinale) roots are tied to the affected area in cases of bone fracture. 5 4 More common, however, is treatment with the cooked plant. Examples are provided by the cooked juice of snakeweed and soaked common confrey. Also frequent is the use of several plants in the same medication. Another type of external use is the practice of smoking. 3. The use of medicinal herbs is linked also to magical-superstitious practices. These connections are expressed in the use of the numbers of plants from which the solution was prepared, determination of their origin (e.g. graveyard, grave, roadside), of the time they were obtained, as well as the use of formulas, signs and colours. The foregoing discussion has attempted to indicate in a general way the variety and richness of medical folklore, particularly in the use of medicinal herbs. 5 2 Varjas, 1943. 14. 5 3 Rápóti—Romváiry 1966. 65—66. 5 4 Grÿñaeųs, 1965. 398. — Bakonybél, Collection of L. Törő.; M. Hoppá , 1972. General in the villages of the Zemplén Mountains.
