“Local Cure for Eczema. Coltsfoot is a wild herb common to most places and is used locally for this disease. The roots of this plant are washed and boiled into a jelly. Black soap and sulphur are added and the mixture is applied with a feather. It is applied everyday and prayers are recited while doing so, no washing of the face or affected part is allowed and the person with the disease must not remain away from mass while getting the treatment. This cure is a family one and the secrets of some herbs used, are only known to one member of the family. Before this person dies, he or she tells the secret to some remaining member.”
Annie Costello, The Schools’ Collection, County Dublin, 1930’s
Cover art by Anna Haller
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Isla Skye
Isla is an American Irish mother of 3, teacher, author and herbalist that splits her time between the states and Ireland. She has been studying folklore as well as the druids and related practices for over 20 years. Her hobbies are family time, reading, camping, hiking, spending time with her many animals as well as writing and research.