Magic and Mystery

Foxglove has a long association with magic and mystery. The name comes from the Anglo Saxon ~foxes' glove.

Apparently in China and Japan foxes are credited with the ability to change themselves into humans. According to a legend, men once killed foxes for their bushy tales which were a charm against the devil. The foxes begged God for protection, so he put bell-shaped flowers in the field to ring whenever hunters would approach.

Another legend surrounding this lovely flower is that fairies used to give the blossoms of the flower to foxes to wear as gloves so they would not get caught raiding the chicken coop. With magical powers, the foxes were able to move without making a sound. Some believe the name actually comes from ~Folk' Gloves,~ since the blossoms were worn by fairies and wee folk as mittens.

In Ireland the flowers were called ~Fairy Thimbles~ and in Wales ~Goblin's Gloves.~ Supposedly, if you picked a foxglove you would offend the fairies. If the fairies stole your baby, the juice of the foxglove would help you get it back.

Ancient Greeks and Romans used the juice of the foxglove for sprains and bruises. It is the original source of digitalis, the most valuable cardiac drug ever discovered.

Foxglove
With your speckled throat,
Do you sing clear, silent notes
To winging busy, busy bees,
‘Come partake my honey, please’?
Foxglove, by Sally Plumb