A Medieval Herbal

An absorbing mixture of scientific knowledge and folklore, the medieval herbal was a virtual encyclopedia on all matters relating to herbs. These handwritten manuscripts, often richly illustrated, included remedies for such common maladies as "sore of the head" and "pestilence," as well as for more unusual afflications like "demoniacal possession." In addition, they offered recipes for love potions, mouthwashes, dyes, antiseptic ointments, and other concoctions, and provided practical instructions on how to gather and store herbs.

A Medieval Herbal reveals the extraordinary diversity of these ancient documents and shows them to be amusing, surprising, and often instructive. Illustrated with detailed images from surviving herbals and accompanied by a lively text, this is the perfect introduction to a fascinating subject.