Medieval Medical Theory and Middle Earth Part 2: Doctrine of Signatures and the King's Touch

            Welcome to Medieval Medicine Part 2: Electric Boogaloo! Kidding aside, this next facet of medieval medicine is rather curious. The doctrine of signatures was the idea that “like cures like”; that is, ailments concerning a certain body part or organ could be cured by an herb that looks like said body part. While this was first developed in the West by the Romans, this concept could be found in the traditional medicine practices of many cultures around the world. While ludicrous sounding today, determining the efficacy of a medicine back then was trial and error (case in point, Egyptians putting moldy bread on wounds without knowing what penicillin was). Thus, the idea that God or a higher power created plants to look like the body part probably was reassuring to the healer debating whether a berry was poisonous or not.

            The doctrine of signatures ties in perfectly with athelas and Aragorn. As noted in The Return of the King, “Come athelas! Life to the dying in the king’s hand lying!” (Tolkien 1955). This suggests that the full healing effect of athelas is brought about when used by the king, providing an important connection with the herb and Aragorn. In addition, in regards to literal similarities, athelas is considered to be nothing more than a weed, having a pleasant smell but not pretty to look at. Only when it is put to its true purpose of healing does the plant live up to its name of kingsfoil. In a similar fashion, when Frodo and the company first meet Aragorn, he appears more of a potential foe than a kingly ally. However, as the story progresses Aragorn begins to take up the mantle of leadership, exposing his true nobility. Thus, the doctrine of signatures aids in both reinforcing and foreshadowing Aragorn’s development through a healing herb.

            As a final note, the idea of the hands of a king having a greater healing effect harkens back to the king’s touch, the idea that God had bestowed healing power to the royal house, thus legitimizing their reign. Thus, Aragorn’s enhanced healing abilities with athelas not only makes perfect sense, but it is also an intriguing historical parallel.