foxglove digatalis Digitalis purpurea


  • Common Names
  • foxglove digatalis
  • Botanical Name
  • Digitalis purpurea
  • Family
  • SCROPHULARIACEAE
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Medicinal Uses & Benefits of Foxglove Digatalis

remedyHow to Use| Side Effects |


How to Use: foxglove digatalis


Digitalis was introduced as a medicinal plant by William Withering in 1758. The field of digitalis heart therapy is based on his work. The active principles of digitalis are cardiac glycosides. The problem with using this plant drug is the full therapeutic dose is very close to that where toxic effects develop. The very exacting dosages required therefor remove this plant from any consideration as a home herbal medicine.

Preparation Methods & Dosage :Not for home use.


foxglove digatalis Side Effects: Toxic! All aerial parts of the plant, the leaves, flowers and seeds are poisonous to humans and some animals and can be fatal if eaten.

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History and Traditions & Folklore


The plant is under the dominion of Venus, being of a gentle cleansing nature, and withal very friendly to nature. The herb is familiarly and frequently used by the Italians to heal any fresh or green wound, the leaves being but bruised and bound thereon; and the juice thereof is also used in old sores, to cleanse, dry, and heal them. The decoction hereof made up with some sugar or honey, is available to cleanse and purge the body both upwards and downwards, sometimes of tough phlegm and clammy humours, and to open obstructions of the liver and spleen. It has been found by experience to be available for the king's evil, the herb bruised and applied, or an ointment made with the juice thereof, and so used; and a decoction of two handfuls thereof, with four ounces of Polipody in ale, has been found by late experience to cure divers of the falling sickness, that have been troubled with it above twenty years. I am confident that an ointment of it is one of the best remedies for scabby head that is.
Nicholas Culpeper, 1653

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