Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
An Irish Materia Medica (Author: Tadhg Ó Cuinn)

Micheál Ó Conchubhair (Michael O'Connor), who died in July 1993 aged 67, devoted the last five years of his life to translating and seeking to elucidate the classic mediaeval Irish herbal of Tadhg Ó Cuinn, the Materia Medica of 1415. In his professional life Micheál was a committed civil servant, retiring at secretary grade with the Revenue Commissioners. But he was also a scholar, fluent in modern and old Irish, with a lifelong passion for music, literature, botany, history, and philosophy.

The historical significance of Ó Cuinn's medical text and Micheál's translation and elucidation of it on the basis of extensive research have been well commented upon by others. The Materia Medica testifies not only to the close relations that existed between the learned classes of Gaelic Ireland and medieval Europe, but also to the sophistication of the pharmacology and medical training in fifteenth century Gaelic society.

At the time of his death, Micheál had nearly but not quite completed his translation and referencing of the Materia Medica, calling his own manuscript an "interim edition". His family was keen that his scholarship should not go to waste but would be available to assist others interested in further researching this important field. We were very fortunate at the time to make contact with Prof. Máirtín Ó Murchú of the School of Celtic Studies, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, who arranged for the transfer of the work and ancillary papers to the School, where cataloguing was carried out in 1994 by Aoibheann Nic Dhonnchadha, Assistant Professor at the School. In 2018, Beatrix Färber, Manager of the CELT Project at University College Cork, whose electronic editions of Early Modern Irish medical texts have made a major contribution to the field, graciously accepted the invitation to make the work available on CELT.

The decision to include Micheál's translation and commentary among the key classic medieval Gaelic texts in the CELT database is an outcome that he would have regarded as a great honour. His family certainly regard it as such and sincerely thank all of those involved in the project.

Philip O'Connor
On behalf of Micheál Ó Conchubhair's family.
November 2018.

An Irish Materia Medica

Interim Version

Part I Introduction

  1. The author and his sources . . . 1
  2. Copies of the text . . . 11
  3. The doctors and the apothecaries . . . 19
  4. The medicinal substances . . . 50

Part II

  1. The Irish text . . . 59

Part III

  1. The Latin texts . . . 283

Part IV

  1. English translation of Irish text . . . 443

Part V

  1. Glossary . . . 649
  2. Bibliography . . . 907

Chapters of the Text

A numbered list of the Latin chapter headings, with their Irish and English translations

  1. Aron barba, iarus, pes uituli:    geadhar:    cuckoo-pint
  2. Accacia, sucus prunellarum:    sugh na n-airneadh n-anabaigh:    juice of unripe sloes
  3. Absinthium, centonica, pointicum:    uormont:    wormwood
  4. Abrotanum, camphorata:    suramont:    southernwood
  5. Acalife, urtica:    neanntog:    nettle
  6. Arasca, elleborus albus:    tataba geal:    white hellebore
  7. Albagia, portulaca, pes pulli:    adann:    coltsfoot
  8. Acedula, oxilapacium, rumei:    samadh:    sorrel
  9. Accetum, oxiren, oxiriun:    finegra:    vinegar
  10. Accride, bancia, pastinaca:    meacan righ:    parsnip
  11. Affodillus, centum capita, aillium agreiste:    creamh :    ransoms
  12. Agaricus, fungus:    agairg:    agaric
  13. Agrimonia, argimonia:    marbdroigen:    agrimony
  14. Agnus castus:    meas torc allaidh:    tutsan
  15. Alacon, politricum, capillus ueniris:    dubcosach:    maidenhair spleenwort
  16. Alapin, cepa mairina, scilla:    uinneamun Spainneach :    Spanish onion
  17. Alapsa, galla, pomum quersuus:    galla:    oak gall
  18. Albedarug, colubrina, basilicon:    colambin:    columbine
  19. Alagsandrum, masedonica, petrusidinum:    elistront:    alexanders
  20. Albeston, calx uiua:    ael ur:    quicklime
  21. Altea, malbus, bismalua:    leamhadh:    mallow
  22. Aloe, epaticum, cicotrinum:    aloese:    aloes
  23. Alphur, flos fraxini:    fuinnseog:    ash
  24. Allusal, cepa:    uinneamhan garrdha:    garden onion
  25. Alumen, stipteria, sucarium:    ai lira:    alum
  26. Ambra, spearma ceti:    coimpeirt an mil moir:    ambergris
  27. Ambrosiana, eupatorium, lilifagus:    iubar sleibhe:    wood sage
  28. Anabulla, titimaillus:    gerr an eighmhe:    spurge
  29. Amedum, amillum:    :    starch
  30. Ancula alba, scabiosa:    :    scabious
  31. Aillium:    gairleog:    garlic
  32. Acantum, semen urtice:    ros na neannta:    seed of nettle
  33. Anetam:    :    dill
  34. Antera, flos rose:    blath an rosa:    flower of rose
  35. Anisum, ciminum dulse:    ainis:    anise
  36. Apium domesticum:    meirsi garrda:    garden celery
  37. Auripimentum, arsenicum:    argallumh :    orpiment
  38. Arracia, attriplex:    eilitreog :    orache
  39. Arigentum uiuum:    airgead beo:    mercury
  40. Asufetida:    :    asafoetida
  41. Aroistoloia longa, Aroistoloia rotunda:    stoinsi fada, stoinsi cruinn:    long birthwort, round birthwort
  42. Artamesia, mater herbarum:    buatfallan liath:    mugwort
  43. Athanasia, tanesetum:    lus na francc:    tansy
  44. Athasar, polem regale:    poiliol ruibel:    penny royal
  45. Auansia, gairiofilata:    macall:    avens
  46. Auellana, nux parba:    cnu Gaeidilach:    hazel nut
  47. Auena:    coirci:    oats
  48. Auricula muris:    liathlus beac:    mouse-ear hawkweed
  49. Aurum:    or:    gold
  50. Balanon, glans:    measoga daracha:    acorns
  51. Balsamum:    :    balm of Gilead
  52. Barba filicana, plantago maigheor:    cruach Padraic:    plantain
  53. Barba hirsina:    lus na laedh:    roseroot
  54. Barba siluana:    glaiser coille:    bugle
  55. Barba Iouis, semperuiua:    teneagal:    houseleek
  56. Bardana, lapa:    meacan tua:    burdock
  57. Branca ursina:    gallfotannan:    bear's breech
  58. Beta, pleta, cicula:    biatus:    beet
  59. Bilonia, molena:    coinneall Mhuire:    mullein
  60. Bolus Armenicus:    uir sleibhe Armeinia:    bolus Armenicus
  61. Borax:    :    borax1
  62. Bursa pastoris:    lus an sbarain:    shepherd's purse
  63. Bitonica:    bitoine:    betony
  64. Balsamita:    cartlann:    water mint
  65. Burneta:    lus creidhe:    burnet saxifrage
  66. Bibolica, biliria:    fotlact:    narrow-leaved water parsnip
  67. Butirum:    im:    butter
  68. Calamentum, calamentum maighis:    cailimint:    calamint
  69. Ciclamin, malum terre:    cularan:    pignut
  70. Cameactis, ebulus:    ualuort:    dwarf elder
  71. Cinoglosa:    finscoth:    hound's tongue
  72. Cinis omnis:    luaith:    ashes
  73. Citonalens:    sidual:    setwall
  74. Conconidum:    sil in labriola:    seed of the spurge laurel
  75. Codion:    popin geal:    white poppy
  76. Cornu serui:    congna an fiadha:    deer's horn
  77. Cauda purcina:    gurmaill:    gromwell
  78. Caulis orientis:    praiseac garrdha:    garden cabbage
  79. Celedonia:    :    celandine
  80. Centauria:    dedga:    centaury
  81. Cerefolium:    comann gall:    chervil
  82. Cerusa:    blath in luaidhe:    ceruse
  83. Cotilodion, cimbulairia, umbilicus ueniris:    curnan caisil :    pennywort
  84. Citragha See Glossary:    :   
  85. Cinamomum:    cainel:    cinnamon
  86. Ciba pirum i.e. cibapirum :    raibh:    sulphur
  87. Colafonium:    picc Greagach:    colophony
  88. Colocindida:    :    colocynth
  89. Consolida madior:    lus na cnam mbristi:    comfrey
  90. Consolida media:    easboc beoain:    ox -eye daisy
  91. Consolida minur:    noinin :    daisy
  92. Conium:    ros na minne mire:    seed of hemlock
  93. Corallus rubius:    cruel dearg:    red coral
  94. Corona regia:    eachseamur:    melilot
  95. Coriandrum:    :    coriander
  96. Centinodia:    gluinech bec:    knot-grass
  97. Crocus:    croch:    saffron
  98. Cubebis:    :    Cubebs
  99. Catapusia:    gran Oilella:    spurge
  100. Cucurbita:    :    gourd
  101. Cuscuta:    claman lin:    dodder
  102. Dactulus:    :    dates
  103. Daucus asininus:    milbocan:    carrot
  104. Dragantum:    gum crainn:    tragacanth
  105. Diegreidium:    :    diagridium
  106. Dens leonis:    serban muc:    sowthistle
  107. Diureticam:    :    diuretic substances
  108. Diptannus, pulegium martis:    litontra:    dittany
  109. Dragantum:    coporrus:    copperas
  110. Ebulus, cameactis:    ualuart:    dwarf elder
  111. Edera arborea:    eiginn na crann:    ivy on trees
  112. Edera terrestris:    eigheann talman:    ground ivy
  113. Eleborus nider:    tathaba dubh:    black hellebore
  114. Endiuia:    :    endive
  115. Elena campana:    eillin:    elecampane
  116. Epatica:    ae aba:    liverwort
  117. Epetimen i.e. epithimum:    blath na time:    dodder of thyme
  118. Esula:    eisbeorna:    spurge
  119. Euforbium:    [gum crainn]:    euphorbia latex
  120. Es ustum:    umha loisce:    burnt copper
  121. Ematites:    :    haematite
  122. Emblici:    :    myrobalans
  123. Eruca:    cearrmacan:    greater water parsnip
  124. Ferrum, ferrugo & sgama ferri:    iarunn, slaighe & tuirinn :    iron, dross, flake
  125. Ferrarium:    iadh:    sediment
  126. Flamula:    aibill uisce :    water crowfoot
  127. Fenugrecum:    pis Greagach:    fenugreek
  128. Fragaria:    lus na sum talman:    strawberry
  129. Fraximus:    fuinnseoc:    ash
  130. Farina ordi i.e. farina hordei:    (min) eorna :    (meal of) barley
  131. Feniculus:    feinel:    fennel
  132. Feniculus porsinas:    maelan muilithi:    stinking mayweed
  133. Fenementum:    laibin:    leaven
  134. Fel:    domblas ae:    bile
  135. Filipindula:    :    dropwort
  136. Fumus terra:    furniter:    furniter
  137. Fu ualerian:    caertann curraig:    wild valerian
  138. Fugo demonurn:    bitnua:    St. John's wort
  139. Fructus iuniperi:    caera an iubair craigi:    juniper berries
  140. Ficus:    figeada:    figs
  141. Fex:    deasgaid:    dregs
  142. Galbanum:    :    galbanum
  143. Galanga:    gailingan:    galangal
  144. Galitricum:    caince coilli:    clary
  145. Gladiolus:    soilisdur:    yellow flag
  146. Gariofilus:    clobus:    cloves
  147. Genciana:    coirce lo[...]:    gentian
  148. Gumi:    :    gum
  149. Gitt:    cogul:    cockle
  150. Genestula:    gilcach slebhe :    broom
  151. Hermodactuli:    tene talman:    autumn crocus
  152. Herba Sangti Petri:    soibirgin:    cowslip
  153. Hipia mador See Glossary s.v. flidh:    flidh:    chickweed
  154. Hipia minor See Glossary s.v. flidh:    rinn ruisc:    scarlet pimpernel
  155. Isopus:    isoip:    hyssop
  156. Ipoquisdidos:    lus na meacan:    hypocistis
  157. Iouis barba:    teineagul:    houseleek
  158. Iris:    gloiriam:    stinking iris
  159. Ipofilia:    bilur Muire:    brooklime
  160. Lacc:    bainne:    milk
  161. Lactuca:    leiteas:    lettuce
  162. Laudanum:    :    laudanum
  163. Lapasium acutum:    corrcopog:    curled dock
  164. Lapis lasuili:    :    lapis lazuli
  165. Lapis magnetis:    :    magnetite
  166. Lansiolata:    slanlus:    ribwort
  167. Lauriola:    :    spurge laurel
  168. Lenticula acatica :    ros lachan :    duckweed
  169. Leuisticus:    lubhaiste:    lovage
  170. Lepus:    mil muidhe:    the hare
  171. Lapis agapidis:    :    agate
  172. Lisium:    :    lycium
  173. Lilium:    lilidh:    lily
  174. Linga auis, pigla:    tenga enain :    stitchwort
  175. Litairgirum:    slaidteach an airgid:    dross of silver (litharge)
  176. Licrisi:    licoiris:    liquorice
  177. Lapasium:    copog:    dock
  178. Linga bouina:    odhrad:    bugloss
  179. Mas:    :    mace
  180. Maccula trifolium:    eachsemuir:    red clover
  181. Manna:    :    manna
  182. Mala granata:    ubla graineacha:    pomegranates
  183. Marubium:    orofont:    horehound
  184. Medulla:    smir:    marrow
  185. Masdix:    :    mastic
  186. Mel:    mil:    honey
  187. Margarite:    nemunn:    pearls
  188. Mellago:    pimentaria:    balm
  189. Mellicratum:    :    (a drink)2.
  190. Menta:    minntus:    mint
  191. Mercurialis:    mercurial:    annual mercury
  192. Mellifolium:    athair talman:    yarrow
  193. Mirtuis:    raidleag :    bog myrtle
  194. Mirra:    mirr:    myrrh
  195. Morella:    midhaidi:    black nightshade
  196. Morsus demonis:    caisearban bec:    devil's bit scabious
  197. Muscus:    :    musk
  198. Mumia:    :    mummy
  199. Mandragora:    :    mandrake
  200. Mrbulani:    :    myrobalans
  201. Mala masiana:    ubla fiadain:    crab apples
  202. Mora selsi:    smera:    blackberries
  203. Melli:    :    spignel
  204. Mesbili:    sceachoire:    haws
  205. Nastursium:    bilur uisce:    watercress
  206. Napeum, sinapium:    mosdard:    mustard
  207. Nenufar:    blath na raibhe uisce:    flower of the water lily
  208. Nepta:    neift:    catmint
  209. Nux magna:    cnu franccach:    walnut
  210. Nux muscata:    nutamicc:    nutmeg
  211. Nux longa:    almont milis:    sweet almonds
  212. Olibanum:    :    frankincense
  213. Opoponax:    :    opopanax
  214. Ouua:    na huidhi:    eggs
  215. Os de corde serui:    cnamh craighi an fhiadha:    bone of deer's heart
  216. Ordium:    eorna:    barley
  217. Pampinus:    duillebar na fineamhna:    foliage of vine
  218. Petrosilium:    peirsille:    parsley
  219. Pulegium muntanum:    poiliol muntanum:    wild thyme
  220. Piper nigrum:    pibur dubh:    black pepper
  221. Pulicaria:    millsean monadh :    lousewort
  222. Paritaria:    pairitair:    pellitory of the wall
  223. Polipodium:    scim:    polypody
  224. Pibinella:    eigrim:    burnet
  225. Pulitricum:    ruibh cloithi:    wallrue
  226. Porrum:    lus:    leek
  227. Pingedo:    methrudh:    fat
  228. Pira:    peirida:    pears
  229. Plumbum:    luaidhe:    lead
  230. Quercus:    darach:    oak
  231. Rafanos:    racam:    horse radish
  232. Rosmarinus:    ros marina:    rosemary
  233. Reubarbrum:    :    rhubarb
  234. Rosa rubia:    ros dearg:    red rose
  235. Rubia maior, uarencia:    madra:    madder
  236. Ruta, bisa, molea:    ruibh:    rue
  237. Repercusiua:    :    repercussive substances
  238. Sambucus:    trom:    elder
  239. Sal:    salunn:    salt
  240. Sarcacolla:    :    sarcocolla
  241. Scamonia:    :    scammony
  242. Saturaieia, utimbra:    sabraidh:    savory
  243. Sene:    :    senna
  244. Serpillum:    piletra:    wild thyme
  245. Salisit:    saileach:    willow
  246. Spicanardi:    :    spikenard
  247. Sdrusium:    praiseach buidhe:    charlock
  248. Sulfur:    raibh:    sulphur
  249. Sol secium, sbonsa soils, eliotropia, sicorea, ingcuba, uerucaria:    rudus:    marigold
  250. Spodium:    cnaim na bellifinte:    calcined ivory
  251. Sticatos:    sian sleibhe:    foxglove
  252. Satuirion, priamiscus, leporina:    tulcan:    orchid
  253. Sandaili:    :    sandalwood
  254. Sdafisagria:    :    stavesacre
  255. Scolapendria, linga ceruina:    crimh muice fiadha:    hart's tongue fern
  256. Stipica:    :    styptic substances
  257. Sbaragius:    modomhun:    asparagus
  258. Storax:    :    storax
  259. Sompnus:    codladh:    sleep
  260. Sitis:    ita:    thirst
  261. Saluia:    saidsi:    sage
  262. Sauina, bracteos:    liathan locadh:    savin
  263. Tartarum:    deascaidh an fina:    tartar of wine
  264. Terra sigilata, terra Sarasenica, argentaria:    talamh selaithi:    sealed earth
  265. Tuirbit:    :    turpeth
  266. Triticum:    cruitneact:    wheat
  267. Tanasetum agreste:    brisclain:    silverweed
  268. Tapsia:    fearban:    buttercup
  269. Tela rania:    lin an damain allaidh:    spider's web
  270. Terpintina:    :    turpentine
  271. Tamariscus:    :    tamarisk
  272. Tamuirindi, oxifencia, dactilus asetosus, dactilus indicus:    :    tamarind
  273. Turio uitis:    maetain na fineamhna:    shoots of vine
  274. Uernix, bernix, elasia:    :    varnish
  275. Ueruena, herba Ueneris, peristeron:    :    vervain
  276. Uiola:    sail cuach:    violet
  277. Uirga pastoris, osaragi :    lus na leadan min:    teasel
  278. Uitrum:    gloine:    glass
  279. Uua:    caera na fineamna:    grapes of vine
  280. Uinum:    fin:    wine
  281. Uenenum:    nemh:    poison
  282. Uenter:    an bru:    the abdomen
  283. Uermis:    peiste:    worms
  284. Uisus:    radurc:    sight
  285. Uomitibus:    sceatrach:    vomiting
  286. Uritiua:    :    burning substances
  287. Yringi, socacul:    cuilinn traga:    sea holly
  288. Ycor:    :    ichor
  289. Ydor:    uisce:    water
  290. Yarapigra Galieni:    hieropigra Galeni
  291. Zinciber:    sinnser:    ginger
  292. Ziucra:    siucra:    sugar