Curative power of herbs has been known to many old nations since the ancient times. For being commonly and freely available, many herbaceous plants have over the years become naturally a main remedy for numerous & diverse ailments as well as serious health problems. Traditional folk herbal medicine and expertise of people involved in it were gradually improving thanks to the many times accidental experience of countless generations. Most frequently used method was that of trial and error, leading to the revelation of many wild herbs healing power but equally some negative aspects of such "approach " were experienced.
Slovak territory was also not spared from a general trend of herbal medicines and remedies coming to Europe from the cradle of this art in Orient. Our Slovak ancestors successfully recognized various herbs with magical healing properties. They used them in 2 different ways, for healing as well as food spices - mustard seed, horse radish, dill, mint, Southernwood and many others were very popular and fully in use.
Slovak folks, thanks to their own experience and lifelong nature observations, were able to identify plants possessing healing properties, capable of curing an unimaginative number of ailments. There are no doubts that simple Slovak folks had no idea whatsoever about a famous founder of herbal science Paracelsus and his teachings. Using his own words, fields meadows and hillsides were the only and best dispensary one ever needed. Such "dispensaries" were entry free and providing Slovak folk herbalists with a remedy for every possible ailment. Curative properties of gathered herbal "material" were tested on their thankful patients and they experimented with each herb till they did not discover all its potential. Knowledge was passed from one generation to another. Traditionally it was believed that healing properties were derived from the immense power of sun, which was "flowing" into them during their growth.
This way, herbs were soon divided into 3 categories: effective, indifferent and harmful. Effective ones were linked to religion, namely God and the harmful ones were interpreted together with devil and dark vicious powers. Many herbs were inscribed a magical power. For example, Doronicum austriacum (a plant similar to leopard's - bane), was ordinarily used for indigestion, kidney problems and arthritis. Yet it also possessed a legendary power to locate secret treasures buried in mountains.
As years went by, folks designed a special "timetable" for individual herbs gathering based on religious grounds. For this reason, many plants had to be picked up at a certain hour (most often preceding the sunrise) or their collecting was determined by occurrence of specific Saints name days in a calendar. For this very reason, important periods of herb gathering were limited by religious feast days. Two periods were especially significant. First, between April 24th (St George Day) and June 24th (St John Day), was right for collecting e.g. heather, Perforate St John's-wort, Mugwort, Heath Speedwell. It was believed that fern was in bloom only during several seconds of the St John's night. The legend goes ... who acquires its flower will become invisible, dark vicious powers protected and will stumble across mountain hidden treasures. The second, between June 24th and August 15th (one of a few Our Lady Days), was appropriate for gathering e.g. Southernwood, Mugwort, Helmetflower, etc.
People involved in the herb gathering and healing were called "volchvi," "korenityci," etc. but the meaning of these words is almost incomprehensible for modern Slovaks. This"profession" was far more popular and widespread between women who were assumed to possess a greater sense for everything mysterious and mystical. Devotees of this trade were, in Christian times, considered to be allies of devil and dark viscous powers. Even at the end of the Middle Ages, both secular and religious authorities labelled these people as witches and wizards, persecuted them and consequently tried them, strictly following the "Hochnothepeinliches Halsgericht" Act of Charles V. Many times these poor victims ended on pyres. To illustrate this bloody practice, we would like to mention a "witch" Maria Gburkova who was burned to death in Levoca in 1717. Once found guilty, one was not even asked which purposes they used herbs for. Inquisition never considered such questions to be appropriate and even remotely relevant.
However, one category of citizens was allowed to manipulate & experiment freely with herbal power to heal. This privileged class was to be found in monasteries where monks very often devoted themselves to such studies, naturally promoting folk expertise to a higher, scientific level. Between 1760 – 1780, Brother Cyprian, a Camaldul monk, compiled the herbal atlas, which thanks to its wealth of entries and information represents a priceless source of traditional wisdom. His atlas survived almost intact and it is on display in a permanent Cerveny Klastor Monastery exhibition.
On the other hand we must say that herbalists were very popular and well-sought after during frequently occurring mass epidemics of cholera, dysentery and plaque in the past during which hordes of people fell prey to these those days intractable diseases, claiming thousands of lives at a time. The importance of the herbalists was captured in various contemporaries written sources.
In 19th century, the extent and importance of wild herbs collecting rose dramatically. For instance, several specialized businesses focusing on purchasing, processing and export of medicinal herbs were set up in the regions of Zahorie and Myjava. Eastern Slovakia region also recognized the potential and importance of the trade. For example, Saris Regional Royal Office ordered Presov Town Council (in 1855) to instruct all village mayors to organize mass gathering and drying of medicinal herbs destined to be commercially used. Such directive was not at all exceptional in contemporary Slovakia.
Significance and role of medicinal herbs in everyday life of village folks can be successfully illustrated in numerous works of folk poetry and songs. Many herbs were glorified in folk song across Slovak regions, e.g. violet, rosemary, marjoram and lily (literally flower garlands, flower hat decorations, etc). For example Perfored St John's-wort, locally called "lubovnik" which means love flower, was featured in a few song. The meaning of this beautiful plant is explained in the following verses:
... Lubo (male name) - lubo - lubovnicek, does my beloved Johnny love me?? If he loves me flowers turn brown, if not they go pale...
We also cannot omit the reflection of these plants in paintings, drawings, murals, woodcarving, etc. They were not only aesthetic symbols or metaphors, but they were also widely recognised as attributes with beneficial effect on human health.
Architectural influence is well apparent, too. Images of various medicinal plants can be found carved on supporting beams in countless examples of wooden or brick folk houses across whole Slovakia. They are most typical in a form of Rococo rosette ornaments or as painted on the dwelling's facade, around windows or doors.