Foxglove

( Digitalis purpurea )

For cases of congestive heart failure (dropsy), foxglove could be used. However, only a highly skilled healer could administer it. The entire plant is poisonous, but it was also seen as a very powerful medicine, stimulating the vagus nerve to slow the heart rate. This, in turn, enabled a larger volume of blood to be pumped, strengthening myocardial contractions.

It was used very sparingly, and as a last resort, due to its potency and the variation in its toxicity. Different plants are stronger than others and can easily give rise to poisoning. The juice of the foxglove is highly poisonous and children should be kept far away from it.












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