Tag: plant

Botanicals: Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus).

Please click for full view.

Etymology note: Vitex is also commonly known as chasteberry or chaste tree. It’s specific name, agnus-castus, is a macaronic construction of Greek and Latin words that both mean chaste. Agnus is derived from άγνος, which can be variously translated chaste or pure, innocent, and even ignorant, as used in the word agnostic (not knowing). It is also coincidentally the Latin word for lamb, a well-known symbol of purity and innocence.

In herbalist tradition, the plant was thought to possess anaphrodisiac properties, leading to another common name: monk’s pepper, for it’s ability to quell carnal desires. Just a dash on your mutton chops and you lust less. After all, we don’t want any shenanigans in the scriptorium.  

Botanicals: Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus).

Please click for full view.

Etymology note: Vitex is also commonly known as chasteberry or chaste tree. It’s specific name, agnus-castus, is a macaronic construction of Greek and Latin words that both mean chaste. Agnus is derived from άγνος, which can be variously translated chaste or pure, innocent, and even ignorant, as used in the word agnostic (not knowing). It is also coincidentally the Latin word for lamb, a well-known symbol of purity and innocence.

In herbalist tradition, the plant was thought to possess anaphrodisiac properties, leading to another common name: monk’s pepper, for it’s ability to quell carnal desires. Just a dash on your mutton chops and you lust less. After all, we don’t want any shenanigans in the scriptorium.