Accounts of the medicinal uses of plant species in Britain and Ireland.
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Assembled by two of the most distinguished botanical and ethnological scholars in Britain, this book chronicles the medicinal uses of more than 400 species used by the ordinary people of Britain and Ireland. The history of these plants' usages has been mined from rich first-hand accounts captured by surveys, from more than 1000 manuscript volumes of the Irish Folklore Commission, and from close to 300 other published and unpublished sources. The book includes chosen illustrations from herbals such as those by Bock, Fuchs and Brunfels, and a selection of colour photographs by Deni Bown.
Media Reviews
Written in an easy-to-read flowing style, this book is packed with fascinating information on British and Irish folk remedies.
I found this a fascinating book.
This is an extraordinary work, which organises what we know on a systematic taxonomic basis, evaluates the accuracy of numerous individual records, and provides tantalising glimpses of what might be learned from studying the distribution of the remedies. There can be no doubt that it will quickly establish itself as the premier reference on its subject.
Perfect for plant lovers, historians, and those interested in folklore.
Well illustrated, scholarly and written in engaging prose, a wonderful reference book.
Medicinal Plants in Folk Tradition is not a self-help manual providing recipes for herbal medicines, but rather, invaluably, the two authors have set down systematically the lore that has survived in unpublished and published sources so that it is accessible and retrievable.
This scholarly pair has produced an excellent work that combines impressive historical erudition with professional botanical expertise.
If your interests lie in European ethnobotany or English floristics, this book is a bargain not to be missed.
At an academic level, this is a very valuable contribution to British ethnobotany. At a less academic level, it would make an equally valuable contribution to anyone's bookshelf or bedside table.
Britain's inherited knowledge of herbal medicine is a precious and dwindling resource. This book offers a formal collation of this wisdom and knowledge.
Just another herb book? No! [This book] takes a fresh approach to presenting seldom seen data in a single source.
A superior unique resource that was 16 years in the making, and is recommended for all collections with an emphasis in medicinal plants.
This is an extraordinary work. . . . There can be no doubt whatsoever that it will quickly establish itself as the premier reference on its subject.
The book brings together a wealth of scattered and unpublished information, filling in details of medicinal usage of plants often omitted in ethnobotanical works that concentrate on folklore and, to a lesser extent, the economic value of wild flora.
This was an ambitious scholarly work and, in light of the resurging interest in traditional and folk medicine, it is worthwhile to examine this book.
This fascinating title is matched by an equally fascinating text.
[The indexes] add greatly to the reference value of the book, although the authors’ lively writing style is an invitation for casual reading as well.
This book brings together a wealth of scattered and unpublished information, filling in details of medicinal usage of plants often omitted in ethnobotanical works that concentrate on folklore and, to a lesser extent, the economic value of wild flora.
A fascinating look at a large body of information on medicinal plant use by "common folk," representing traditions going back hundreds of years. Will interest readers from many subject backgrounds.
A fascinating look at a large body of information on medicinal plant use by 'common folk,' representing traditions going back hundreds of years.