Herbal Folklore; Leechcraft and Wortcunning

Learn all about leechcraft and other ancient herbal folklore. Photo by PhotoMIX Company from Pexels

Leechcraft and Ancient Herbal Folklore

When you first think of the word leech, you may think of one of those slimy, blood-sucking, parasitic worms. But leech is actually derived from an Old English Anglo-Saxon word meaning a physician or one who heals. These ancient healers, AKA leeches, thought disease was caused by demons and evil spirits entering the body. The treatments used by the leeches were meant to rid the body of these obnoxious intruders and must have had merit as their use continued through the Middle Ages.

The ancient art of leechcraft used a variety of herbs for healing and medicinal properties and was often combined with amulets, prayers, charms, and spells. A leech book was an Anglo-Saxon book of plant-lore, which included different herbal remedies and healing rituals and was used as a sort of reference book while the leech was healing their patients.

Here is an example of an early English charm used by leeches:

"Twig runes shalt thou ken 

If thou a leech will be,

And ken a sore to see;

On bark shall one then write

And on branch of wood whose limbs to east do lout" 

Wort-cunning and Herbal Magic

Wortcunning referred to the knowledge of how to use the secret, occult properties of herbs and plants for healing purposes. Wort was simply an ancient word meaning herb, i.e.;

• Elfwort = elecampane
• Liverwort = agrimony
• Coughwort = coltsfoot
• Woundwort = hedge nettle
• Lousewort = pedicularis

For additional information on this subject, read all about the Nine Herbs Charm on The Creative Cottage blog.

Peace, love, and light;

The White Witch, AKA Lynn Smythe

Founder of Craft of the Wise, Essential Survivalist, and The Creative Cottage

© 2021, Craft of the Wise. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they will help us keep this site up and running! Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!