A History of Plant Medicine: Western Herbal Medicine from the Ancient Greeks to Modern Day

(Hardback)

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Description

This comprehensive guide details the story of plant medicine from pre-history to modern times

A detailed study of the theory and practice of herbal medicine. From the beginnings of botany, through the development of Greek and Celtic medicine including the Roman invasion and settlement of Britain.

The book then moves on to Anglo-Saxon leechbooks, Arabic Medicine, Norman influenced physicians and surgeons and pharmacy in the Medieval Period including a look at Paracelsus and Chemical Medicine.

In the early modern period it examines the physic garden in Britain, Culpeper and Astrology and finally the changes and developments to herbal medicine in the New World

Reviews

The Tree Dispensary: Native Treesby Christina Stapleyfeatured in The Landscape Magazine (UK), 'The best of the season to inspire and admire'.

The Tree Dispensary: Exotic Trees by Christina Stapleyhas won the Thomas DiBaggio Book Award 2023 from the International Herb Association Foundation, USA.

Praise forThe Tree Dispensary: Exotic Treesby Christina Stapley (Aeon, 2021) (9781913504731):

The Tree Dispensary is a first-hand account of remarkable trees of the world from a renowned herbal expert. having travelled the world to meet the trees she writes about, the author artfully weaves her personal insights and observations along with a wealth of practical and historical information. Medicinal and edible uses, history, folklore, traditional uses, and recipes and remedies are all included in this inclusive and detailed volume. The author has done a brilliant job representing a wide variety of trees and their importance in our lives.
Rosemary Gladstar, herbalist and author

This book is rich with information. Written by a herbalist-historian, its driven by a deep feeling for trees and their gifts and for the devastating history of people enslaved to cultivate them. she describes fruits, spices and medicine in their native habitat, picking out nuggets of folklore and historical use. its also an excellent guide to applying them creatively and safely today as medicine from one with long hands-on experience.
Alex Laird, medical herbalist, lecturer, author of Root to Stem

In this extremely well-researched book, Christina Stapley takes us on a rich journey of discovery exploring some of the worlds more exotic medicinal trees. From the mood-enhancing Cacao in Grenada, to the circulation-boosting Maidenhair tree in China and the antimicrobial Mastic in Chios, Christina examines key scientific research into their healing powers. This book is an essential and informative read for anyone interested in the healing properties of medicinal trees.
Chris Etheridge, medical herbalist, President of the College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy

Most herbals invite you to concentrate your attention on plants growing at your feet. Christina Stapleys wonderful work The Tree Dispensary directs us to turn our eyes upwards, and to study the amazing medical qualities of our favourite garden trees. now she has extended her travels and research to the whole world, in a second collection, which ranges from such treasures as the wonderful stomach-soothing slippery elm of North America through to exotic Frankincense and Myrrh of Oman. all in all, a fascinating sidelight on medical history.
Barbara Griggs, author of Green Pharmacy

Praise forThe Tree Dispensary: Native Treesby Christina Stapley (Aeon, 2021) (9781913504724)

"In The Tree Dispensary Christina Stapley takes you by the hand, through the seasons, to introduce you to the trees that she knows so intimately. Her friendly narrative leads you to each tree, outlining their history and folklore, their culinary attributes, medicinal history and properties and then details the way she, as a modern herbalist, uses them. It will make you appreciate the trees in your neighbourhood even more."
Barbara Segall, editor of The Horticulturist

Author Bio

Christina Stapley is a retired medical herbalist with ten years of practice. She now teaches pharmacognosy, materia medica and the history of western herbal medicine. Christina is a member of the Herbal History Research Network, and for twenty five years has tutored practical historical herb workshops. She is a Royal Horticultural Society lecturer and has written three books on growing and using herbs. Christina has written courses on ageing successfully with herbs and edited a book of 17th century cookery and medicinal recipes. In 2023, Christina was awarded the Thomas DiBaggio Book Award by the International Herb Association.