Monica Lisette-Sanchez "Foxglove"

Monica Lisette Sanchez (WA)

Foxglove
watercolor, collage and ink on rice paper
7" x 9"
ready to hang

Foxglove (Digitalis) is a beautiful flowering plant found in Northwest gardens and along wooded roadsides. All parts of the plant contain potentially toxic substances and these are not mitigated by steeping or cooking.
Foxglove began to be explored by western medicine for use in the 1700’s. Interestingly, some people think that Vincent Van Gogh was prescribed digitalis prior to his death, and this is why many of his paintings have vivid yellow halos present This is a symptom of the use of the plant.
Extracted from the leaves, cardiac glycoside digitoxin is used as a medication for heart failure. There is, however, a thin line between therapeutic and toxic amounts. During WWII, County Herb Committees were established to collect medicinal herbs when German blockades created shortages. One of these was Digitalis purpurea which was used to regulate heartbeat.

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