What are the 26 sacred herbs used by traditional Breton herbalists
(Louzaouerien)? I also need to know what points on the body the herbs
correspond with (ie. the herb Vervain is at the head) and why they
were considered sacred? This concept was mentioned by American writer
Alexei Kondratiev in his book 'The Apple Branch: A Path to Celtic
Ritual' (The Collins Press, 1998), although he did not name all of the
herbs etc.

Breton citizens are from Brittany (Bretagne), a Celtic country in NW
France. Its citizens may speak either Breton, French and sometimes
English.

The answer might be found within the realms of Breton folklore. I need
a good, reliable academic answer. No New-Age or Neo-Pagan nonsense
(although clues may be found within authentic Druidry). Thanks and
good luck.

Hello celtman,

The Dalriada Celtic Heritage Trust produces the following publication,
which might be of relevance to your query:

Bride's  Mantle -by Maria Constantinou
Celtic healing traditions. Chapters cover early healers and their
methods, the  physician in Celtic society, deity and animal
associations from Celtic mythology, traditional Gaelic healing charms
and incantations from the Carmina Gadelica. Over sixty healing herbs
and twelve native trees are listed, together with their Gaelic names,
and a discussion on their uses in traditional folk medicine.
Price: £4.00 (UK), £4.50 (EU), £5 (overseas) ISBN 0-9520971-5-X
http://www.dalriada.co.uk/Taighindex/Publications/publications.html
You can order online with a credit card, or alternatively send a
cheque or postal order to
Dalriada Celtic Heritage Trust,
Taigh Arainn,  Glenartney Hotel,
Brodick, Isle of Arran
 KA27 8BX  Scotland

I found a web site which lists some herbs used in Celtic medicine
(common and Celtic names) and their properties, attributing the
information to the Dalriada Trust:
http://www.quipo.it/abcfiori/abcinglese/myths.html

To reproduce this listing in full would be a breach of copyright, but
the herbs mentioned are vervain, eyebright, yarrow, plantain, tansy,
chamomile, loosestrife, water buttercup, lichen, dandelion, ribgrass,
mullein, wood anemone, trailing pearlwort, St John's wort, purple
orchis, rowan, hazel, elder, apple, juniper, ivy.

Dear tehuti

Many thanks for your comment. I am aware of the work of the Dalriada
Trust, having  ordered their book a while back. I am still patiently
waiting for it to arrive. I do not hold out much hope about it
containing any lore on the '26 sacred herbs' as these seem to be a
purely Breton tradition (although they will have associations with
herbal lore from the other Celtic countries).

Thanks again for trying.

celtman

That surprises me.  I ordered a booklet from Dalriada a couple of
years back and received it very quickly.

I've been coming back to this question at regular intervals.  However,
there seems to be practically nothing out on the Net that refers to
louzaouerien, louzaouer or even louzous (the remedies), which is why
I've been trying more roundabout routes. I think though that the
answer is more likely to be found in the academic journal literature,
to which I do not have access.

I did find a reference to the "16 Leeches of Diancecht" from a book by
Douglas Monroe.  However, this seems to be discredited by both Druids
and Celtic scholars, not least because one of the herbs mentioned,
echinacea, is not native to Europe!

Have you tried contacting Kondratiev himself for further information?
I found a mention that he teaches at the Irish Arts Center in
Manhattan and I've verified that to be so by checking on the center's
web site.  You could try contacting him via the center:
Irish Arts Center
553 West 51st Street,
New York, NY 10019
Phone: (212) 757-3318
Fax: (212) 247-0930
Email: info@irishartscenter.org
Website: www.irishartscenter.org

Hello again

You are correct in saying that Monroe's work is discredited by just
about everyone (including myself).

I tried to contact Kondratiev via the Irish Arts Centre some time ago,
but to no avail. They said that they had forwarded my email to him,
but I recieved no reply.

I too suspect that the answer maybe lurking in some obscure French
language journal. It seems that this question is destined to be my
(endless) Grail quest.

Your helpful comments are always appreciated.

celtman