Lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) In The Pale

The common lilac or Syringa vulgaris, is in the olive or Oleaceae family and native to southeastern Europe and naturalized in other parts of the world including North America and eastern Europe. In Ukraine, this plant was often relied on for its medicinal qualities by traditional medicine practitioners.

Between the world wars, in the towns of Berdichiv and Cherkasy, folk healers applied a lilac remedy before a paroxysm (a surge in symptoms of disease). In Braslav and Hritsiv, folk healers, most likely opshprekherins, steeped the dried plant in olive oil to make a solution that was applied with a feather to a patient's erysepilas (skin infection). In Krasiliv and Polonne, lilac was part of a folk midwife's repertoire for treating leucorrhea. In Slavuta, folk healers addressed head colds and rheumatism with formulations that included lilac. In Starokonstantiv, traditional medicine to relieve diarrhea included lilac. In Zvinohorodka, head colds and "aching bones" were helped by lilac folk remedies.

A few lilac excerpts from the yizkor memory books:

"Lilacs grew in most of the yards in Kopaigorod. In the morning, upon opening the windows, I was immediately intoxicated by the aroma of the lilacs which filled everything around the area. The color of the lilacs was certainly eye-catching, and it was the first thing one might experience stepping out into the yard. There was always a fragrant bouquet of lilacs in a vase in every house. And we, like all children, loved to look for a flower with five petals to know for sure that all our wishes would definitely come true."

"Sfire [counting of the Omer, the 49 days after Passover] was counted until Shavuos , which was the crowning holiday of the summer. The town was flooded with bright sunshine, steeped in green plants, lilacs, and blossoms. The houses and houses of prayer were decorated with leafy branches and kvitchers [screamers – long grass that produced a screaming sound when blown upon]."

"I trembled with cold. My father led me by the hand. Outside, we were embraced by a delicious warmth. He took me on a bit of a walk, up to Lubliner Street and then further up to Rubieshower Road, to the Chelmer forest, where people regularly gathered wood and mushrooms and in the summer days of Shevuot picked lilac and berries, and where they would sing revolutionary songs. And to me it seemed that walking that road we were also commemorating King David's yortsayt."

Sources:
Ossadcha-Janata, Natalia. 1952. Herbs Used in Ukrainian Folk Medicine. New York: Research Program on the U.S.S.R. and the New York Botanical Garden.

Photo credits:
Franciosi, Angelo University of Padova