The Herbal Chronicles of Plimoth Patuxet:
A Multi-Part Play with Five (5) Characters Featuring Simples & Worts
Setting: The Massachusetts Bay Colony, circa 1620-1630 where the Plimoth Patuxet colony is now forming and striving to exist in the harsh environment where it’s freezing cold in winter and worryingly hot in the summer.
Visit the Plimoth Patuxet Living History Museum
4 Scenarios: My four-story segmented play unfolds in the frontier settlement of Plimoth Patuxet, where English Pilgrims and the indigenous Wampanoag people interact and share knowledge about herbal medicine and wellness (i.e. simples and worts).
For each of the fours weekly episodes below, here are the characters that I feature:
Cast of Characters
Hannah Greenleaf: A middle-aged English woman settler and herbalist. She has a bonnet and apron. She speaks with a calm and authoritative tone, as she’s knowledgeable about English herbal remedies.
Thomas Brewster: A young English settler eager to learn about herbal medicine. Speaks with enthusiasm and curiosity.
Eleanor Watkins: An older, experienced midwife with kind eyes wearing simple yet practical clothing. She speaks with a gentle, reassuring voice.
Wampanoag Elder “Wise Owl”: A respected tribal elder with traditional Wampanoag dress. He’s a healer of the Aptuxet tribe. He speaks with wisdom and he has a deep connection to nature.
Nokomis: A young Wampanoag woman with traditional attire who is learning the healing arts. She speaks with a mix of reverence and inquisitiveness.
Sidebar: Understanding "Simples" and "Worts" in Herbal Medicine
In the context of herbal medicine, particularly during the era of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the Plimoth Patuxet communities, the terms "simples" and "worts" were commonly used. These terms encapsulate the foundational principles and practices of herbal healing that our characters in "The Herbal Chronicles of Aptuxet" rely upon.
Simples
Definition: A "simple" refers to a single herb used on its own to treat a specific ailment. This practice is rooted in the belief that one plant, in its pure form, contains all the necessary properties to heal or alleviate a condition.
Examples:
Chamomile: Used as a simple to soothe digestive issues and promote relaxation.
Yarrow: Applied to wounds to stop bleeding and used internally to reduce fevers.
Willow Bark: A natural pain reliever and anti-inflammatory, often used as a simple for headaches and minor pains.
Usage: In the play, you'll see characters like Hannah Greenleaf and Wise Owl utilizing simples for their straightforward, effective applications. For instance, Nokomis might use sweet fern as a simple to clear the lungs and ease breathing.
Benefits:
Simplicity: Easy to prepare and use without complex combinations.
Focused Action: Directly targets a specific ailment with the pure essence of the herb.
Traditional Knowledge: Rooted in centuries of practice and observation.
Worts
Definition: "Worts" refers to plants and herbs that are known for their medicinal properties. The term is derived from Old English and was commonly used to denote any plant with healing capabilities. It is often part of the plant's name, signifying its traditional use.
Examples:
St. John’s Wort: Known for its antidepressant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Motherwort: Used to support heart health and alleviate anxiety.
Mugwort: Employed for digestive issues and as a sleep aid.
Usage: In the play, wort-based treatments might be showcased through the creation of more complex remedies. For instance, Eleanor Watkins might prepare a tincture combining multiple worts to assist a laboring mother.
Benefits:
Versatility: Worts can be used in a variety of preparations—teas, tinctures, salves, and more.
Cumulative Effects: When combined, worts can create synergistic effects, enhancing the overall healing potential.
Historical Significance: The use of worts is deeply embedded in both English and indigenous medicinal traditions, symbolizing the merging of knowledge in the play.
Practical Application in the Play
Through "The Herbal Chronicles of Plimoth Patuxet," readers will witness the practical applications of simples and worts. Each episode provides a window into how these herbal practices were essential for survival and well-being in the harsh conditions of early colonial life. By understanding the distinct roles of simples and worts, readers can appreciate the depth of herbal knowledge shared by both the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people.
This sidebar aims to enrich the reader's experience, providing historical context and practical insight into the herbal practices depicted in the play. As you follow the weekly episodes, keep an eye out for these terms and how they are woven into the fabric of the characters' lives and their approach to healing.
Weekly Episode Structure
Week 1: The Introduction
Scene 1: The Village Square of Plimoth Patuxet
Hannah Greenleaf and Thomas Brewster are setting up an herbal stall in the Plimoth Patuxet village square. Various herbs and tinctures are displayed.
Hannah: (Arranging herbs) Thomas, hand me that bundle of lavender. We need to prepare these tinctures for the coming winter.
Thomas: (Excitedly) Hannah, do you think the Wampanoag might show us more of their herbal practices? Their knowledge seems so vast!
Hannah: (Smiling) Patience, Thomas. Wisdom comes with time. Today, we’re fortunate to have Wise Owl and young Nokomis visiting. Their knowledge is a gift.
Enter Wise Owl and Nokomis, carrying baskets of indigenous herbs.
Wise Owl: (With a serene presence) Greetings, friends. The forest has been generous this season. We bring herbs to share.
Nokomis: (Enthusiastically) These are for you. (Hands over herbs) They hold great healing power.
Hannah: (Gratefully) Thank you, Wise Owl, Nokomis. Let us prepare and learn together.
The scene closes with the group exchanging knowledge and preparing herbal remedies for the members of the Plimoth Patuxet communities.
End of Week 1
Week 2: The Healing of Winter Colds
Scene 2: Inside a Settler's Home within Plimoth Patuxet
Eleanor Watkins is tending to a sick child. Hannah and Nokomis are preparing a herbal tea.
Eleanor: (Reassuring) Fear not, little one. We will make you well again.
Hannah: (Mixing herbs) Eleanor, a blend of elderberry and yarrow should help with the fever.
Nokomis: (Adding herbs) And some willow bark for pain. This is how we soothe the young in our village.
Thomas: (Observing) It’s fascinating how our practices overlap. What is that herb, Nokomis?
Nokomis: (Smiling) This is sweet fern. It clears the lungs and eases breathing.
They brew the tea and administer it to the child, who soon falls into a peaceful sleep.
Eleanor: (Gratefully) Thank you both. Together, our knowledge can heal many.
End of Week 2
Week 3: Midwifery and Herbal Knowledge
Scene 3: The Midwife's Hut at Plimoth Patuxet
Hannah and Eleanor are assisting a laboring woman. Wise Owl and Nokomis are present, offering support.
Eleanor: (Calmly) Breathe deeply, dear. The tea we gave you will ease the pain.
Hannah: (Holding herbs) Chamomile and raspberry leaf will help strengthen you.
Wise Owl: (Nodding) In our tradition, we use red clover to ensure safe childbirth.
Nokomis: (Holding the woman's hand) And sage to cleanse the spirit and ward off evil.
The woman delivers a healthy baby, and the group shares a moment of joy and relief.
Thomas: (In awe) The unity of our knowledge brings life into the world.
End of Week 3
Week 4: Herbal First Aid
Scene 4: The Forest Edge of Plimoth Patuxet
Thomas has injured his hand while gathering firewood. Hannah and Nokomis tend to him.
Thomas: (Wincing) I should have been more careful.
Hannah: (Applying herbs) Comfrey will speed the healing and prevent infection.
Nokomis: (Adding herbs) And witch hazel to reduce swelling.
Wise Owl: (Advising) Thomas, always respect the forest. It gives us life but demands our care.
Thomas: (Grateful) Thank you. I’ll remember this lesson.
They finish bandaging Thomas’s hand, and he feels immediate relief.
End of Week 4
