The legend of a woman in the lake and a centuries-old tradition of herbal medicine are being used to help restore the fame and fortunes of a remote Welsh village facing “terminal decline”.
Backed by their national lottery winnings, residents of Midfaï (a parish with a population of 400) hope to launch a range of herbal remedies and other branded products, reviving the medieval site that was famous across Europe for its plant-based medicines, oils and ointments.
The villagers are planning to create a mecca for herbal medicine – plans that are sure to win the approval of their famous neighbour, Prince Charles, who has a holiday home nearby.
Joe Gideon, one of the project leaders, said the scheme could be a “lifeline” for the village in Carmarthenshire, south west Wales.
Gideon said the village was missing out on the benefits of its unique traditions and needed a “restart”. He warned that “without any basic necessities, the village is in danger of decline as the younger generation is forced to leave in search of work”. He said there was a risk that traditional traditions and knowledge would be lost.
Until recently, Midfaye was a bustling place with three pubs, two shops, a post office, a blacksmith and an abattoir. There was a sense of community and pride in its historic and legendary past.
At the heart of the village’s efforts to restore and revitalize is the story of a woman who emerged from the lake, married a local man, and had three sons. She eventually retired to the lake, but passed on her knowledge of the medicinal properties of plants and herbs to her eldest son. The Woman of the Lake may not have existed, but her sons and their descendants did. They became real-life Mysphaian physicians renowned for their expertise across Europe.
Some of the recipes seem to work – feverfew for bruises, rosemary mixed with honey for nausea, thyme for colds – but there are more outlandish recipes – hearts tongue is said to protect chastity, wild clary to ward off jealousy.
Mai Do Fai’s fortunes have gone from bad to worse in recent years, with many people leaving in search of work. Many houses have been turned into holiday homes, and businesses bearing the Mai Do Fai name to capitalise on its historical reputation often have no connection to the village and bring no tangible benefit to it.
Hill country farmer Lewis Jones, who went to school in the village and remembers Midfai as a bustling centre, said he wanted to put Midfai “back on the map”. “Midfai has been known for its doctors for centuries and we want to bring life back here,” he said.
With help of more than £400,000 from the Big Lottery Fund’s Village SOS scheme, the aim is to build a new hall and café and refurbish the old building next to the hall. Myddfai branded products will be sold in the complex. Construction work is due to begin shortly.
Midfai’s doctors would no doubt be turning over in their graves, as European laws make it difficult to sell herbal “medicines.” To get around this obstacle, producers will be selling their herbal “remedies” alongside a range of cosmetic products such as soaps, face creams and shampoos. Other craftspeople, such as potters and quilters, will also be invited to sell their wares at the center.
Naturally, there will also be a herb garden, the care of which will be left to the community.
Project leader Hugh Davies said he hoped the herbal products would restore prosperity to the village in the same way that Hay-on-Wye thrived thanks to its concentration of bookshops. “In terms of amenities, this is a disadvantaged area, but there’s a bit of magic in the story of the Midfi doctors that will make the project a success,” he said.
Excerpts from treatments by Midfai doctors
Comfrey This herb is used for all wounds, burns, etc. Externally, it is used specifically for chronic varicose ulcers. For stomach use, it is often mixed with marshmallow or meadowsweet.
Cowslips In case of the bite of a mad dog: find some cowslips, grind them up, mix them with milk, strain them first through a fine cloth, and give them to the patient as his only drink for nine days.
Dandelion For jaundice, take dandelions, corn bluebottle, and garden parsley, which you should mash well with strong beer, and store carefully in a narrow-mouthed water bottle.
Fennel Fennel is warm and dry in the second degree, it is effective against eye diseases, it is effective against all kinds of poisons in the human body.
garlic For noises in the head, and impaired hearing. Take a piece of garlic, dip it in honey, insert it into the ear, and cover it with black cotton. The patient should sleep on his other side every night, but the other piece should remain in the ear, and should be left in for 7-8 nights.
Source: Welsh Herbal Medicine, by David Hoffman (Abercastle Publications)
