Military Herbs

Herbs are not just a bit of pretty greenery that you can add to your soup or salad.  Some of these plants have been used by the military as resources—for both good and not so good purposes.  In the stories of military history, tales of valor and bloodshed usually take center stage and overshadow the quieter tales of healing or poison, but those stories are there just the same. 

For the ancients, plants were not just mere garnish, they were critical tools for healing, endurance, and, well, killing.  From the Roman legions and Greek hoplites to the Chinese and Egyptian armies, herbs played a central role in their strategic victories.  The plants sustained troops, treated wounds, and fortified morale in the ugly realities of battle.  They were also used for less beneficial purposes.  Here are some of the herbs that could have made military history.

Borage’s name is thought to have come from the Celtic language meaning a man of courage.  Dioscorides said this herb was in Homer’s Legendary tonic, and it was eaten for bravery.  In addition, caraway was a plant of ancient cultivation, and the roots were used as food.  Caraway roots were mixed with milk and made into a bread.  The Roman army may have marched on its caraway.

Comfrey was known as “knit-bone” and it was prized by Roman soldiers for its ability to mend fractures and bruises.  It has a high allantoin content and was useful for sustaining weary warriors marching long distances. Yarrow was named after Achilles because the Greek hero used it to treat his comrade’s wounds during the Trojan War. The ancient Chinese relied on tonics made from Ginseng, which they thought bolstered stamina, sharpened focus, and promoted resilience.

Willow bark (the stuff that aspirin has been made of) was used across several cultures, including the Greeks and Sumerians for pain relief. The Egyptians valued herbs like frankincense and myrrh, not just for spiritual rituals but in ointments and smudges.  They were thought to protect soldiers from disease, and some claimed that they calmed frazzled nerves.

The Greeks and Romans wore rosemary into battle to sharpen concentration; it was associated with honor, courage, and memory.  And in case we think that herbs were always used for healing and comforting, Deadly Nightshade or Belladonna was probably the herb that killed the troops of Marcus Antonius in the Parthian Wars.

Although there are many better alternatives now, herbs were very valuable in the ancient soldier’s survival kit.  They could be carried in dried bundles, salves and tinctures, and they lasted a long time.  Early warriors drew strength not just from spears and shields, but from their trusty herbal remedies.