Silphium
SL.750-146BCE
2759-2158 years ago
Herbal Empowerment Designs
COLOR SCHEME
DESCRIPTION OF DESIGN
Beginning in the 8th century BCE, the ancient city of Cyrene in northern Africa became rich from exporting large amounts of a giant fennel plant called silphium to Rome, Greece, India, and Egypt. This plant was well known for its contraceptive and abortive qualities. Soranus wrote that women should drink the silphium juice with water once a month since "it not only prevents conception but also destroys anything existing." Alternatively, a tuft of wool could be soaked in the juice and inserted into the vagina to prevent pregnancy. Unfortunately, silphium was driven to extinction within about 600 years, most likely due to over-harvesting as a result of its popularity.
COST
$125 per single roll
20.5" x 15 feet long
(approx 26 sq ft)