Discovering the Herba de Santa Cunegunda: A Traditional Galician Plant
In the lush landscapes of Galicia, a region in the northwest of Spain, there is a plant with a rich history and multiple uses that has captured the attention of locals and expats alike: the Herba de Santa Cunegunda, also known as Eupatorium cannabinum.
Historical and Cultural Significance
This plant, known in Galician as "herba de Santa Cunegunda" or "herba purgueira," and in Spanish as "canabina," "canabina de agua," or "cáñamo de agua," has deep roots in Galician folklore. The name "Santa Cunegunda" is derived from Saint Cunegund, a 10th-century saint who was the wife of Emperor Henry II of the Holy Roman Empire. The plant is often associated with traditional medicine and rituals in the region.
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