Synopses & Reviews
Including the latest developments in the field of herbal medicine, this classic bestseller presents a fascinating account of the ideas, personalities, advances, and vicissitudes that have shaped the course of medicine and pharmacology in the Western world. The author provides an eloquent and engaging account of the use of herbal medicine from prehistoric times to the present, reaffirming the incalculable value of medicinal plants in the healing arts. She presents a strong case for the cyclical emergence of alternative medicine at times (such as our own) when allopathic methods of treatment have lost their safety and efficacy.
Review
"Well researched, highly readable, and ultimately entertaining." Yoga Journal
Review
"This meticulously referenced, captivating book is guaranteed to hold surprises even for those who consider themselves well-informed on the topic." Napra Review, Vol. 9, No. 2
Review
"Probably the most definitive history of the origin and development of herbal medicine in the West . . . should be required reading for every herbalist, pharmacist, physician, and regulatory official." HerbalGram
Review
"A history of grass-roots medicine, researched to the point where those of us who have dabbled in the subject are left feeling embarrassed at the wealth of source material that we left unread." Brian Inglis, The New Scientist
Review
"To congratulate Barbara Griggs is not only a pleasure but a duty, for she has given us a useful tool, the need of which has been felt but hitherto never filled." Richard Evans Schultes, Jeffrey Professor of Biology and Director of the Botanical Museum (emeritus)
Review
"Well researched, highly readable, and ultimately entertaining."
Review
"A modern classic that can be consulted by all of those interested in getting a keener insight into the trials and tribulations, the pitfalls and rewards, and the history and future of drug therapy from nature." From the foreword by Norman R. Farnsworth, Professor of Pharmocognosy, University of Illinois Medica
Review
"Here are the highs and lows, the compassion and the competition and the pain and the joys of 2000 plus years of western herbal medicine. Well-written and extensive." American Herb Association
Review
"To congratulate Barbara Griggs is not only a pleasure but a duty, for she has given us a useful tool, the need of which has been felt but hitherto never filled."
Review
"Probably the most definitive history of the origin and development of herbal medicine in the West . . . should be required reading for every herbalist, pharmacist, physician, and regulatory official." < i=""> HerbalGram <>
Review
"A modern classic that can be consulted by all of those interested in getting a keener insight into the trials and tribulations, the pitfalls and rewards, and the history and future of drug therapy from nature." From the foreword by < b=""> Norman R. Farnsworth <> , Professor of Pharmocognosy, University of Illinois Medical Center
Review
"A history of grass-roots medicine, researched to the point where those of us who have dabbled in the subject are left feeling embarrassed at the wealth of source material that we left unread." < b=""> Brian Inglis <> , < i=""> The New Scientist <>
Synopsis
Including the latest developments in the field of herbal medicine, this classic bestseller presents a fascinating account of the ideas, personalities, advances, and vicissitudes that have shaped the course of medicine and pharmacology in the Western world. The author provides an eloquent and engaging account of the use of herbal medicine from prehistoric times to the present, reaffirming the incalculable value of medicinal plants in the healing arts. She presents a strong case for the cyclical emergence of alternative medicine at times (such as our own) when allopathic methods of treatment have lost their safety and efficacy.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [404]-412) and index.
About the Author
Barbara Griggs, a renowned journalist and researcher in the field of herbalism, is also the author of The Green Witch Herbal. She lives in London.
Table of Contents
Foreword to the Second Edition by Michael McIntyre
Foreword by Norman Farnsworth
Preface
Acknowledgments
1. The Medicine of Mankind
2. Medicine in Transition
3. The New Disease and the New Medicine
4. The Revolutionary
5. The Quacks' Charter
6. 'All Manner of Minerals'
7. 'Galen or Paracelsus?'
8. The Seventeenth-Century Superwoman
9. Indian Physic
10. 'Horrid Electuaries'
11. 'Systematic Slaughter'
12. The English Practice
13. The Foxglove Saga
14. Heroic Medicine
15. Roots and Herbs
16. Botanic Warfare
17. The Age of Calomel
18. 'Coffinism'
19. Dr. Coffin versus Dr. Skelton
20. Fruitless Medication
21. Regulars and Rivals
22. Magic Bullets
23. Return to Nature
24. The Price of Miracles
25. The French Lesson
26. Into Europe
27. Phytomedicines
28. 'The Green People'
29. Burning the Library of Amazonia
30. Herbal Futures
Notes
Bibliography
Index