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)

M. Hoppá —L. Törő: Ethnomedicine in Hungary 89 It can be stated in general that man uses all herbs known by him for medical treatment. We know of certain plants, however, which are used only for a single illness as a rule. A good example is the stonecrop (Sempervirum tectorum). Of the diverse regional designations of this plant the most interesting in this context are those linked to the ear. As the Latin term implies, the pressed juice or crushed leaves of the plant are placed in the ear to relieve pain.

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4 Another use of the stonecrop is based on the belief its effectiveness as lightning conductor. A 19th century medical notice states: "It is usually grown on housetops, partly as lightning conductor, but for use of its juicy and substantial leaves to treat ear aches." Here again we have a case of combined and variable medical usage. Magic-superstitious belief is expressed in the use of the plant as lightning conductor, while its practical medical use is defined as the relief of ear ache. The two beliefs can be interpreted analogically: the effectiveness of the plant in the treatment of ear ache and ear disturbance explains the popular inference of its utility as a preventive mechanism for thunder and lightning might cause ear disturbances through its sound effect. Another plant used for specific ailments is snakeweed (Aristolochiaclematitis L.). It was used for the treatment of wounds and boils. Our information suggests that it is a particularly ancient practice, probably based on traditional observation and experience. In contrast, there are several plants which folk medicine uses in various ways and for differing ailments. An example is thyme (Thymus serpyelum). Several regions use it to relieve coughing. In Orosháza for example tea prepared from it is believed to treat asthma and tuberculosis.

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5 Ethnological research indicates, particularly in the case of this plant, that popular belief identifies the symptom with the sickness itself.

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6 Other uses of thyme include its utilization in a medication for malignant pustule in Zagyvarékas

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7 and preparation as tea to relieve toothache in Cserszegtomaj.

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8 An 18th century "Doctor Book" recommended its juice cooked in wine as effective for the relief of suffocation.

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9 Péter Melius Juhász distinguishes two types of thyme: thymus serpyllum and thymus vulgaris. He considered it effective for the treatment of suffocation, asthma, worms, for improving eyesight and healing arthritis. He recommended it for neuralgia, swellings, sprains, burnings, warts applied on the surface.

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0 Máté Juhász believed it to treat arena.

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4 Grÿñaeųs, 1971. 777. 4

5 Csapó, 1775. 97. 4

6 Wagner—Magócsy 1903. 98. 4

7 Cs. Pócs, 1964. 206. 4

8 Vajkai, 1941. 240. 4

9 Doctor Book in the Episcopal Library in Veszprém. Inv. nr. 37968. p. 1. 5

0 Méliusz Juhász, 1962. 173—174. 5

1 Juhász, 1768. 6.