The Herb Weavers Journal #64 - Snowdrops - 21st Jan 2025

Snowdrops

Also known as - Flower of Hope, Candlemas Bells & Fairy Maids of February.

What a wonderful little flower, it looks so fragile and get it is one of the first to break its way through the snow and ice and let us know that Spring is on the way. It’s scientific name Galanthus nivalis which means 'milk flower of the snow', and I personally think that says it all.

One of the flowers of Imbolc, when we see this delightful little bright white flower head, we know the sun is returning and all will be well. It warns us of the daffodils, the newly born lambs, the revival of the fresh green lawn and the few hours of warmth on our face when we go out to forage.

They were traditionally used to treat pain, especially headaches, and migraines. With modern medicine on the increase, they are now also used to treat Alzheimer's disease and other health issues that show cognitive decline, again in the very correct doses, so no going out into the today and just picking and eating a handful of the petals! And because of their high Lycorine content, which is an alkaloid found in snowdrops, they are used in antimalarial drugs too. Be aware of course that Lycorine in high doses is highly toxic and there we should avoid the bulb at all cost, this is were the alkaloid is stored in this plant.

Snowdrops also have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties., so adding snowdrop to homemade cleaning sprays and the like is also very beneficial.

If all that isn’t enough, they also attract bumble and honey bees to your garden.