Germany’s pharmaceutical stranglehold collapsed during World War I, cutting off 80% of the world’s medicine supply to Allied nations.
Desperation drove Britain to turn fields and gardens into wartime pharmacies, reviving ancient herbal remedies at an unprecedented scale. From poison antidotes to battlefield bandages, plants became lifelines where science failed.
In two world wars, these 13 medicinal plants shaped the survival of millions, transforming humble weeds into the frontlines of wartime medicine.
1. Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna)
This potent plant proved invaluable during WWI as a crucial source of atropine, which served as an antidote to nerve gas poisoning in the trenches. The plant’s significance led to its widespread cultivation at facilities like The Firs in Fallowfield, where botanical grounds were specifically dedicated to growing this vital medicinal resource.
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During WWII, deadly nightshade continued its military service, finding new applications in eye surgery where it was used to dilate pupils. Communities across Europe organized collection efforts to ensure a steady supply of this essential medicinal plant.
2. Peat Moss (Sphagnum spp.)
In WWI, peat moss became a lifesaving alternative to cotton bandages, boasting twice the absorbency and natural iodine content that provided antiseptic properties. (ref) Volunteers across Europe and North America embarked on extensive collection campaigns, walking hundreds of miles to gather this crucial wound dressing material.
The tradition continued into WWII, where peat moss remained a preferred wound dressing due to its naturally acidic pH that inhibited bacterial growth. Its widespread availability in boggy areas made it an accessible and reliable resource for field hospitals.
3. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Known as the botanical flag-bearer of war, yarrow earned numerous military-inspired names like soldiers’ woundwort and staunch weed. Its blood-coagulating properties made it indispensable for treating battlefield wounds, carrying forward a tradition that dated back to ancient Greek warfare.
The plant’s resilience matched its military applications, proving to be as tough as the soldiers it treated. Its compact blossoms and sturdy foliage continued to serve as a reliable battlefield remedy throughout both world wars.
4. Garlic (Allium sativum)
During the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic that coincided with WWI, garlic gained prominence as a preventive remedy. People wore garlic necklaces in public, and French phytotherapists used them successfully during the outbreak. (ref)
The Russians embraced garlic so thoroughly that it became known as “Russian penicillin,” using it extensively for respiratory tract diseases. Even after penicillin’s introduction in WWII, the Russian Red Army maintained its reliance on garlic as a natural antibiotic.
5. Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
During WWII, foxglove became a critical resource for treating soldiers with heart conditions. Its ability to regulate heartbeat made it an essential medicine for cases of congestive heart failure.
Collection efforts were carefully coordinated through monthly bulletins from the Ministry of Supply, as precise identification and handling were crucial due to the plant’s potent nature. Women’s groups, elderly citizens, and youth organizations participated in the methodical collection of this vital herb.
6. Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger)
Henbane served as a crucial relaxant and painkiller throughout WWI. Its cultivation was specifically prioritized at facilities like The Firs, alongside other essential medicinal plants.
The plant’s tranquilizing properties made it particularly valuable in military medical applications. Special cultivation areas were designated specifically for growing this important medicinal resource during wartime shortages.
7. Wild Thyme (Thymus polytrichus)
As an effective antiseptic, wild thyme played a crucial role in treating wounds during WWII. Its natural antimicrobial properties made it particularly valuable when conventional medical supplies were scarce.
The plant’s widespread availability and ease of identification made it an accessible resource for both military and civilian medical needs. Collection efforts focused on this herb as part of the broader medicinal plant-gathering campaigns.
8. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
Valerian proved invaluable as a sleep aid during both world wars. Its sedative properties helped soldiers and civilians cope with the psychological stresses of wartime.
During WWII, organized collection efforts specifically targeted valerian as one of the essential medicinal plants. Its reliable calming effects made it a standard component of military medical supplies.
9. Black Horehound (Ballota nigra)
This versatile herb served double duty, treating both spasms and intestinal worms during WWII. Its widespread use in military medicine demonstrated the importance of traditional herbal remedies during wartime shortages.
Collection efforts specifically targeted black horehounds as part of the organized gathering campaigns. The plant’s multiple medicinal applications made it particularly valuable when pharmaceutical supplies were limited.
10. Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale)
During WWII, autumn crocus became an important source of medicine for treating gout among military personnel. Its specific properties made it a valuable addition to the wartime pharmacopeia.
The plant required careful handling and identification during collection efforts, as its potent nature demanded precise processing. Organized gathering campaigns included this herb among their priority species for medical use.
11. Colt’s-foot (Tussilago farfara)
This herb served as a crucial demulcent during WWII, helping to soothe irritated respiratory tissues. (ref) Its effectiveness in treating respiratory conditions made it particularly valuable during the harsh conditions of warfare.
The plant’s widespread distribution across Europe made it readily available for collection by civilian volunteers. Its reliable medicinal properties made it a standard component of wartime herbal remedies.
12. Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
During WWII, tansy proved valuable for its antibiotic properties against various pathogenic strains. Its effectiveness complemented the emerging use of pharmaceutical antibiotics like penicillin.
The herb’s natural antimicrobial properties made it particularly useful when conventional medical supplies were scarce. Collection efforts included this plant among other antibiotic-rich herbs gathered during wartime.
13. Mint Varieties (Mentha spp.)
Various mint species were collected and utilized for their antibiotic properties during WWII. Their effectiveness against pathogenic bacteria made them valuable additions to the wartime medical arsenal.
These plants were particularly useful due to their easy identification and cultivation. Their widespread availability and multiple medicinal applications made them essential components of wartime herbal medicine collections.
The medicinal plants employed during both World Wars demonstrate humanity’s ability to adapt during times of scarcity. These herbs not only filled critical gaps in medical supplies but also led to significant advancements in our understanding of botanical medicine.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.