A comprehensive guide that describes the history of herbal treatment from prehistoric times to modern eras.

Drawing from her decades of experience as a recognized herbalist and historian, Christina Stapley presents an encyclopedic and accessible guide to the theory and practice of Western herbal therapy throughout history. It spans an impressive chronology of two millennia and serves as a fundamental manual for students and professionals of herbal therapy to enhance their study and practice, as well as an enjoyable narrative for anyone interested in this rich and fascinating subject.

Utilizing a wealth of historical research, Stapley invites readers on a journey from the beginnings of botany, to the development of Greek and Celtic medicine, including Roman medicine and the Roman deposition of Britain. It examines the healing books of the Anglo-Saxons, Arabic medicine, the doctors and surgeons influenced by the Normans, and the pharmacopoeia in the medieval period. It also explores the medicinal garden in Britain, Culpeper and astrology, concluding with changes and developments in herbal therapy today.

Beyond offering a detailed chronology of Western herbal therapy, A History of Plant Medicine provides practical advice and recipes that can be applied in the daily practice of the modern herbalist. Stapley creates tangible links with history, focusing on the most used herbs in different periods and tracing them through the centuries. Particular emphasis is given to the search for effective recipes and practices that have been abandoned in favor of new ideas and foreign herbs, each presented in a clear and accessible manner. A History of Plant Medicine also shines a light on the work of women physicians throughout the centuries, whose work has often been overlooked or forgotten.

Ultimately, A History of Plant Medicine invites herbalists (new and old), historians, or interested citizens, to reconsider their relationship with herbal therapy, understanding how different herbs are perceived in the light of knowledge and beliefs in specific time periods, to better understand Western herbal therapy.

Pages: 430, Dimensions: 17x17cm