Horse curing herb

[palaceben]

Which herb, used to cure horses, was named after one of the many patron saints of horses?

[Toglet]

Valerian?

[palaceben]

Sounds good, but I can't find anything about him being patron saint of horses .... have you any info on this?

[3s_a_crowd]

The patron saint of sick horses is St Eligius. Here's a link to his profile on the Catholic Church site. Tou need to read through the patronage section for confirmation. I can't find a herb of the same name though.
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/sainte14.htm

[drochit]

St Eligius is the patron saint of sick horses. The saints of horses in general are Anthony, Colman, George, Giles, Hippolytus, Leonard, Martin and Vincent de Paul.
I know that there is a Saint Martins Herb, but cannot confirm that it was named after this Saint Martin or whether it is used to cure sick horses.

[sft42]

The following are all patron saints of horses: Anthony of Padua Colman of Stockerau Eligius George Giles Hippolytus Leonard of Noblac Martin of Tours Vincent de Paul
I don't know about any herbs in there but Colman does a great range of Mustards.

[sft42]

Sorry Drochit...we posted at the same time there.....I didn't copy you honest :>)

[chijiki]

Saint Martins Herb (sauvagesia erecta) is a small American herb used in medicines.

[Cetti]

The plant is Ragwort.

The latin name being Senecio jacobaea, named after St James, the patron saint of horses, as it was mistakenly believed that an infusion made from the plant cured the 'staggers', a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord of horses.

10:53 Mon 11th Aug 2003

[drochit]

I can see the connection. Ragwort is also known as St. James Wort. However, St James the Apostle is the patron saint of horseriders, jockeys and people who have an affinity with horses ........ not horses themselves.
I'm not convinced Cetti.

[Toglet]

But ragwort poisons horses, it won't cure them!

[Cetti]

O ye of little faith!

If you read my answer carefully you will see that I said it was used in the 'mistaken' .belief ......

http://mgouda0.tripod.com/dec/frame162980.html

I also have the feeling this was asked on another site (possibly by palaceben) a short time ago - and the answer then was Ragwort.

[Toglet]

Sorry, Cetti, I'm taking the question too literally! I thought we were trying to find a herb that actually cured horses, not one that only had the (erroneous) reputation as a cure. Smack on head administered!

[palaceben]

Hmmm.. I don't know if I am looking for a herb that actually DOES cure horses or not! James isn't on the list of Horse Patron Saints, but according to http://www.schooloftheseasons.com/julydays2.html
the entry for July 25th says the wort does appear to have been named after him because of its use on horses, and he was always pictured riding a white horse. Sounds good to me :-) And I haven't asked this question before - must've been someone else!

[Cetti]

My apologies palaceben - no smacks toglet, drinks all round is much more civilised ;--)

[palaceben]

No apologies needed Cetti ... just accept my thanks :) Drinks sounds good :D