Scurvy grass has been an ingredient in medicines for treating scurvy, hence its name since the 17th century. In 1737 in the Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia the Conserva cochleariae which was a mixture of vrious herbs including scurvy grass had orange peel added to it - making it more effective. The conserve had so many herbs in it that it was unpractical to produce in large quantities for use on ships, and sailors had to wait until lemon juice began to become widely recognised a few years later.

Caesar Germanicus's army in Germany in the first century AD began to suffer from scurvy after being in the field for two years. The local Friesians advised them to eat the laves of 'Britanicus' which grew on the coast. This cured their scurvy and its fame - as 'scurvy grass' - persisted for 1800 years.

‘Recipe for scurvy grass drink’, Governors' Minutes for St Bartholomew’s Hospital, 1640 (SBHB/HA/2/1, f.438v). Monday 23 March 1639. This day it is ordered and agreed upon that the scurvy grass drink shall henceforth be made by the Apothecary with the help and assistance of the Matron according to the direction given and agreed upon by Dr Harvey and Dr Clarke, physicians, Mr Edwards, and Mr Glover (Apothecary), in this form following, viz: To a barrel of 8 gallons of beer take of the fresh juice of scurvy grass 18 pintes; of the juice of watercress 10pints; of the juice of brooklime 6 pints; of horseradish root [?] 1lb; of sassafras 2lb, of long peas 3oz; grains 3oz; calamine aramatins 2oz; nutmeg 1oz; agrimony, sage, betony, hart’s tongue and soldanella, of each six handfuls – and after putting all these [components] into the beer to lye 14 days before it be sent for the. And being thus ordered and made, to be kept by the Matron under lock and key and delivered forth to none but such as shall be appointed by the doctors and apothecaries direction to have the same.

Spoonwort (from the shape of the leaves), scurvy grass (as used for treating scurvy), Britannica from Pliny's account of it treating scurvy.