Viewing the MS as a guide to conception and pregnancy

[bi3mw]

This theory would benefit from some specific examples, and especially reference to 15th century practices.

There is a very readable dissertation by Dorothée Leidig (unfortunately in German): "Frauenheilkunde in volkssprachigen Arznei- und Kräuterbüchern des 12. bis 15. Jahrhunderts. Eine empirische Untersuchung." Here is an excerpt from the plants that were used in women's medicine (translated into English). They are discussed in detail in the dissertation.

Alpinia officinarum Hance – Lesser galangal
Anethum foeniculum L. / Foeniculum vulgare Mill. – Fennel
Apium graveolens L. – Celery
Aristolochia rotunda L. / A. clematitis L. – Smearwort, Birthwort
Artemisia abrotanum L. – Southernwood
Artemisia absinthium L. – Common wormwood
Artemisia vulgaris L. - Common mugwort
Berberis vulgaris L. – Common barberry
Betonia officinalis L. / Stachys betonica Bentham – Betony
Carum carvi L. – Caraway
Cinnamomum zyclanicum - Cinnamon
Commiphora molmol Engler – Common myrrh
Hyssopus officinalis L. - Hyssop
Iris spec. – Iris
Juniperus sabina L. – Savin juniper
Laurus nobilis L. – Laurel
Malva silvestris L. – Common mallow
Mentha aquatica L., Mentha arvensis L. od. Mentha longifolia Nathh. – Mint
Mentha pulegium L. – Pennyroyal
Paeonia officinalis L. – Common peony
Petroselinum crispum Mill. / Petroselinum hortense Hoffm. - Parsley
Apium petroselinum L. – Parsley (?)
Pimpinella anisum L. – Anise
Plantago spec. – Plantains
Ruta graveolens L. – Common rue
Salvia officinalis L. – Common sage
Urtica dioica L. – Common nettle
Verbena officinalis L. – Common vervain

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edit: A very comprehensive list of plants is provided starting on page 489.