My fascination with herbs and herbal lore is largely prompted by my absorption with all things historic and the thrill of seeing, touching, tasting, and above all smelling the same plants known by the ancients. Herbs have changed little, if at all, over the centuries and offer us a connection with the past that precious little does in these modern days. It’s pure intoxication to rub fragrant leaves between my fingers and savor the scent while pondering the wealth of lore behind these plants. I hope my enthusiasm enriches your life with a deeper awareness of those people who dwelt on this earth long before us. With such a vast trove of plants to delve into, I’ve only done posts on a handful of herbs, but am working along on adding more. I also give online workshops on herbal lore and the historic medicinal use of herbs.
“Faierie-Folks Are in Old Oaks.” ~Old Herbal Saying


Back to Maude Grieve and A Modern Herbal, apparently in the early twentieth century it wasn’t illegal to include instructions for growing and distilling opiates, but it is now so I won’t. However, despite her quaintness or perhaps because of it, there’s a wealth of information in her herbal.

A little known volume I’ve found vastly useful regarding Native American plants and their historic uses is entitled Field Guide to Medicinal Wild Plants by Bradford Angier, published in 1978. This invaluable book was given to me by my dear late grandmother.
My collection is a rather random acquisition and I'm adding all the time, but I’ve learned a lot. OK, so those are my three faves out of all the herbals I’ve read, available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. I’ve also come across innumerable online sites that I refer and link to as they arise.

For more on medieval hospitals in general visit this site:
"Here's flowers for you; Hot lavender, mints, savoury, marjoram; The marigold, that goes to bed wi' the sun, And with him rises weeping..."
William Shakespeare, 1611.

Beth, your posts are informative and interesting. You add tidbits I had long forgotten! Plants for you and grammar for me.
I agree -- I always learn something interesting about herbs from your posts, Beth. I have several books about herbs, too, which I consult from time to time.
Thanks guys. I am adding more herbs to my garden this year.
What's your favorite flower everyone? I love lilacs and gardenias.
Herbs, my favorite is chocolate mint, makes great tea. Don't know if it's any good for you, but, it tastes great with a bit of honey.
I've had some nasty tasting herbal teas, and don't like most of them. Chamomile works great, but tastes funny. I like black tea, any suggestions I might like?
Love the pictures and the list of wonderful Herbal reference works. One of these days I'm going to get out and create an herb garden at the new house. I miss my little garden from the old house.