Icelandic medicinal herbs - Historical importance and modern research
Icelanders have used medicinal herbs since the country's settlement in 874 AD. Old Icelandic manuscripts mention various herbs, and many Icelandic place names bear the names of herbs. This would suggest that various herbs were abundant at the time, but also that they were highly thought of. For example, the highest peak of Iceland, Hvannadalshnjúkur, is named after Angelica ("hvönn" in the Icelandic language).
SagaMedica's research on medicinal herbs
Since 1992, SagaMedica's scientists have researched about half of the eighty known Icelandic medicinal herbs. Dr. Sigmundur Gudbjarnason began the project and Dr. Steinthor Sigurdsson joined him three years later, in 1995.
They collaborated with many official Icelandic research institutes and Steinthor earned his doctorate in 2009 as a result of this extensive undertaking.
Herbs that have been historically popular for use in herbalism were chosen, and the focus was generally on those which have been documented in old Icelandic medical scrolls.
List of medicinal herbs researched by SagaMedica
We have found that many Icelandic plants can play a role in health matters and help to prevent disease, by virtue of their biochemical constituents.
Our research also implies that our forefathers knew what they were doing and that the herbs were used because of real and actual health benefits.
List of herbs studied since 1992:
- Achillea millefolium
- Alchemilla alpina
- Alchemilla vulgaris
- Angelica archangelica
- Angelica sylvestris
- Anthoxanthum nipponicum
- Anthriscus sylvestris
- Betula pubescens
- Calluna vulgaris
- Carum carvi
- Cetraria islandica
- Cladonia rangiferina
- Empetrum hermaphroditum
- Equisetum arvense
- Filipendula ulmaria
- Galium boreale
- Galium islandicum
- Galium verum
- Geranium sylvaticum
- Geum rivale
- Heracleum mantegazzianum
- Hierochloë odorata
- Juniperus communis
- Ligusticum scoticum
- Lupinus nootkatensis
- Matricaria maritima
- Myrrhis odorata
- Parmelia saxatilis
- Rumex acetosa
- Rumex acetosella
- Rumex longifolius
- Taraxacum officinale
- Thymus praecox
- Trifolium hybridum
- Trifolium pratense
- Vaccinium uliginosum
These herbs present very interesting possibilities in product development. They contain many bioactive phytochemicals which have potential clinical application.
Consult your doctor before using medicinal plants for health purposes. Plants that have medical application may not be suitable for everyone.
