Image: The Bittersweet Nightshade (here)
Extending a helping hand a friendly gesture
In answer to a cry for help
Its toxic properties converted to medicinal value
Often destructive otherwise
Where it had been said every ailment
on Earth has a remedy.
It was a question of discovering them more
often by accident or guided by traditional knowledge
The nightshade family of plants offered such a solution
One never could imagine its lethal nature
That could kill an invading army given as a trick
Belladonna was supposed to have been the plant
'that poisoned the troops of Marcus Antonius
during the Parthian wars'
Its medicinal value, varied and many
lessens irritability and pain
as a lotion, plaster or liniment
welcomed with glee and relieve
for those with gout and rheumatism
among others
Yet Bittersweet Nightshade in its innocence
is a member of the same family as the potato and tomato
This brings to mind the Poppy revered before for fallen heroes
but now a curse to mankind
Bjorn at d'Verse Poetics - with poisonous plants
Most interesting Hank, and thought provoking also. Makes one wonder what we are taking when getting our medication.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
yep, moderation in all things -- a little of many herbs can do you good but in the wrong dosage, too much can put you under -- I enjoyed your poem of nightshade who helps folks on her good days.
ReplyDeleteA little of many a thing can heal, but yep, a lot in the wrong hands of most anything can be lethal.
ReplyDeleteAmazing how something so deadly can also be so beneficial.
ReplyDeleteThese are my favorite parts:
ReplyDelete"It was a question of discovering them more"
"lessens irritability and pain
as a lotion"
Those double uses... curse and blessing both, and if you can see that also the potato is a poisonous plant...
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of what I learned a few years ago about homeopathic medicines--that the practitioners use minutes doses of the agents that cause symptoms to treat them. Don't know much more, though. But it comes back to living in moderation, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteA delicate balance in natural treatments...can cure or kill.
ReplyDeleteThe shamans and medicine men of old had wisdom to share. Much to be learned about botanicals. Great write!
ReplyDeleteSo true. Blessings turned curses, curses turned blessings. Great poem for thought.
ReplyDeleteAn educational poem. Very informative. Makes me wonder about all the antibiotics we take.
ReplyDelete