MHG Volunteer Blog 32: Sneezewort

It's time for the latest blog from our dedicated team of volunteer gardeners at Pontefract Castle.

Find out more about their blog series here.

Another sunny day was due. We started early to beat the heat. Helen potted on some winter savory and southernwood. Carole re-stocked the sales barrow. Then Helen and Lillie went to work on weeding the dry-stone wall. Meanwhile, Carole carefully pulled up the dying borage and cut back the viper’s bugloss. Those tiny little hairs can get through practically anything!

Caroline and Louis started to weed near the top of the MHG. Carole carried out the weekly flower count and thought about her preparations for the busy week ahead.

On Wednesday morning, Carole will be giving a “snip and sniff” tour and talk of the MHG to the Darrington Gardeners’ Club. In the early evening, she will be giving a short talk about the flavours of the some of the herbs at August’s Museum Meet-up at Pontefract Castle. On Saturday she will give the free monthly MHG talk.

We had two notable visitors today, one more welcome than the other. The first was a huge house spider! It had hidden from the heat amongst the plant pots. It gave us quite a scare as it suddenly scurried around.

A very large eight-legged visitor!

Most welcome was a councillor for the Hemsworth ward, who pops in on a regular basis. She wanted to let us know how well her pink mophead hydrangea was getting on. She had previously bought it from our sales barrow.

This was a timely conversation as next Monday we will be taking more hydrangea cuttings. Just pop along at 11 am if you want to know how it’s done and have a go yourself.

Plant of the week - Sneezewort (achiellea ptarmica)

The name 'sneezewort' comes from the plant’s ability to cause sneezing when dried, powdered and inserted in the nose. 

The genus name 'Achillea' is named in honour of the Greek warrior Achilles. In mythology he was taught the healing properties of this herb by his tutor Chiron the Centaur. 

The species name 'ptarmica' comes from the Greek word 'ptarmikos', 'to sneeze'.

Sneezewort is native to Europe and Western Asia. It is a vigorous, upright, clumping, herbaceous perennial. It can grow to a height and spread of 3ft. Its leaves are typically lanceolate or ovate in shape, with finely-toothed or lobed margins. They grow in an alternate arrangement along the stems. Like many other plants, the sneezewort's pattern of development displays the Fibonacci sequence.

It will grow in any moist, but well-drained, soil with a pH of between 6.5 and 8. It is best in full sun to part shade as long as it gets at least six hours of direct sunlight a day.

Sneezewort growing in the Medieval Herb Garden

It flowers between June and September. It grows loose clusters of white flowers with yellow-brown disc florets. Occasionally, as shown above, double-flowered forms are seen. The petals on each flower are notched.

Culinary uses of sneezewort

Sneezewort has a bitter, slightly peppery taste. The leaves have been used in salads or as a garnish.

Folklore and other facts about sneezewort

In some traditions, sneezewort has been associated with Venus. It was used in love potions and spells.

Sneezewort was often associated with purity and cleanliness. It was believed to ward off evil spirits and negative energies. In many cultures, the flower was used in various rituals and traditions to represent sincerity and straightforwardness.

Travellers sometimes carried sneezewort as a charm to protect them from injury on their journeys.

The leaves are also known to act as an insect repellent.

Medieval uses of sneezewort*

Chewing the fresh leaves or root can produce a numbing and tingling sensation, similar to Sichuan pepper. This made it a traditional remedy for toothache.

The dried and powdered leaves of sneezewort have been used as a 'sneezing powder'. In some cases they were added to snuff. This was thought to help clear nasal passages, relieve congestion and help with headaches.

Sneezewort is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. It is poisonous to horses and cattle.

*As always, this isn't to be considered medical advice today. Please don't use any plants mentioned in these blogs as medicine without advice from a doctor.