Scurvy

The April showers continue to fall well past their allotted time. The scurvy grass is in full bloom at the moment and the air is heavy with its heady fragrance.

Scurvy grass is a relative of watercress both belonging to the cabbage family. Whereas watercress thrives in pure spring water, scurvy grass is most at home in salt marshes, as in the photograph.

Scurvy grass is rich in Vitamin C and in the past the fresh herb was used on sea-voyages as a preventative of scurvy. According to the herbalists the essential oil from the plant is of benefit in paralytic and rheumatic cases; scurvy-grass ale was once a popular tonic drink.

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