Gigantic List Of Herbals (Books About Herbs) From 4,000+ Years Of Herbalism

What is a(n) Herbal?

A(n) herbal is a 'book of herbs'. Herbals are usually written in encyclopaedic style - with an alphabetical listing of herbs, together with descriptions of the plants, their various virtues and the opinions of the author. Herbals very often contain pictures of the herbs being described and some of the old herbals were illustrated with great artistry. Many of the old herbals gathered and compiled information from even older sources and are truly "windows into the past", giving us fascinating information not only about the medicinal practices of old times, but also insights into their world-view and knowledge of other sciences.

Herbals have been in use for thousands of years: The oldest surviving herbal is often considered to be the Ebers Papyrus, dating to around 1550 B.C. and based on sources up to 2,000 years older! Astonishingly, some of the remedies advised by the Ebers Papyrus are still in use today. Another truly ancient herbal that exists is a manuscript copied from a Sumerian text: Dated to around the 7th century B.C., it is believed to have been copied from a now-lost work dating to 2,500 B.C.

Herbals were among the most copied and prized books of ancient times. They often represented the pinnacle and summary of the medical knowledge of their day.

In addition to much information that is valuable and which has formed the basis of many modern medicines, some of the ancient herbals give bizarre or wondrous descriptions of attributes of plants that sound truly supernatural to the modern reader. The world-view of the ancients was very different to that of today - and it is typical for modern science to dismiss such writings as pure fable. However, there is often very interesting information in ancient texts and ancient herbals can often provide surprising insight into the qualities of plants - if we can be certain of their identity (as this can sometimes be lost over the course of the centuries). ^[1]

In mediæval Europe, prior to the advent of printing, herbals were typically written in Latin and copied by hand by monks. Thus passed around from scriptorium to scriptorium, herbals often acquired copious annotations either from the comments of other herbals or the working experiences of the users. Versions of herbals such as the 1st century De Materia Medica of Dioscorides acquired extended commentaries, some of which may never have been translated and may yet yield interesting or useful information about the herbs.

incipit tractatus
Above: A page from an old herbal: The 1499 Latin printed edition of Arnaldus de Villanova's "Inicipit Tractatus de Virtutibus Herbarum"

List of Herbals

Here is a giant list of herbals from ancient to modern times. This is a work in progress. A large part of the information currently in this list, in particular the English Herbals and the Manuscript Herbals (9th-16th cent), is derived from Eleanour Sinclair Rohde's "The Old English Herbals" of 1922. Over time, more will be added, amended and organized... also links to where they can be found.

INDEX:

HERBALS BY CLASSICAL and ANCIENT WRITERS

ENGLISH LANGUAGE HERBALS (printed) 1495-present

EURPOPEAN LANGUAGE HERBALS (printed) 1495-present

PRINTED HERBALS IN LATIN

AZTEC / MESOAMERICAN HERBALS

CHINESE HERBALS

MANUSCRIPT HERBALS (9th-16th cent)

MISCELLANEOUS other HERBALS

BOOKS about HERBALS (i.e. books tracing the history of books about herbs)

ENGLISH LANGUAGE HERBALS (printed) 1495-present

The Herbals are listed according to authors, or, in the case of anonymous works, according to the names by which they are usually known, and all known editions are given [up to 1922]. In cases where only one copy of an edition is known the library where it is to be found is indicated. Editions mentioned in Ames, Hazlitt, etc., but of which no copies are now known, are listed, but in each case the fact that the only mention of them is to be found in one of the above is stated.

Bartholomæus Anglicus - "De Proprietatibus Rerum" (1495 ed.) The seventeenth book of De Proprietatibus Rerum - containing nineteen chapters - is on herbs. Already a highly successful and popular book in manuscript form since its creation in c. 1230–1240, before being printed in 1495, it was the first Encyclopedia written in the English language. It was also the first original work on plants by an English writer to be printed, and the woodcut at the beginning of the book was probably the first botanical illustration to be printed in an English book. A Latin edition was printed in 1482

There is the following note on a slip in the copy of this edition in the British Museum. "This is generally considered to be the finest copy known of a work which is certainly the chef d'œuvre of Winkin de Worde's press. The paper on which it is printed is said to be the first ever made in England for the press. See Douce, ii. 278. Dibdin, Typt. Ant. ii. 310."

1535. Bartholomeus de Proprietatibus Rerum. Londini in Aedibus Thomæ Berthelete. Regii Impressoris.

1582. Batman uppon Barthōlome His Booke De Proprietatibus Rerum. Newly corrected, enlarged and amended: with such Additions as are requisite unto every seuerall Booke: Taken foorth of the most approved Authors, the like heretofore not translated in English. Profitable for all Estates as well for the benefite of the Mind as the Bodie. London. Imprinted by Thomas East, dwelling by Paules Wharfe. A nice edition is currently available on Amazon - Batman upon Bartholme: His Booke De Proprietatibus Rerum (Anglistica & Americana) (Latin and English Edition)

(For other language editions, French, Dutch and Spanish translations, see EUROPEAN HERBALS (printed)

Banckes's Herbal (1525)

"Here begynnyth a new mater the whiche sheweth and treateth of y ^e vertues & proprytes of herbes / the whiche is called an Herball ˙.˙ | ¶ Cum gratia & priuilegio | a rege indulto |

Colophon. ¶ Imprynted by me Rycharde Banckes / dwellynge in | Lōdō / a lytel fro y ^e Stockes in ye Pultry / y ^e xxv day of | Marche. The yere of our Lorde, M.CCCCC. & XXV. Black-letter 4to.

1526. Second edition of above. Only known copy is in the Cambridge University Library. Title and colophon identical except for slight differences in spelling.

Colophon. ¶ Imprynted by me Rycharde Banckes / dwellynge in | Lōdō / a lytell fro y ^e Stockes in y ^e Pultry / ye xxv daye of June. The yere of our Lorde, M.CCCCC. & XXVI. Black-letter 4to.

1532-1537 (approximate date assigned by Mr. H. M. Barlow). "‘A boke of the propertyes of herbes the which is called an Herbal.' Contains k ⁴. ‘At the end, Imprynted at London by me John Skot dwellynge in Fauster Lane.' This over his device which is his cypher on a shield, hung on a rose-tree, flowering above the shield, supported by two griffins: at the bottom is a dog nearly couchant; I. S., the initials of his name, one on each side of the trunk of the tree. In the collection of Mr. Alchorne. Twelves."

The above is quoted from Herbert's edition of Ames, 1785. No copy of the work can now be found in any of the chief British libraries. Mr. Gordon Duff in his list of books printed by John Skot mentions "The Book of Herbes. 12mo. undated."

The following editions printed by Robert Wyer are all undated. The dates assigned in the British Museum Catalogue are 1530, 1535, 1540.

The only known copies of the two following editions are in the Bodleian Library.

Colophon. Imprinted at London by Wyllyam | Copland. | Black-letter 8vo.

The two following editions published by Anthony Kitson and Richard Kele may be ascribed to Copland's press. No copies exist in the chief British libraries. The titles are quoted from Ames.

"A booke of the properties of Herbes, called an Herball. Whereunto is added the tyme that Herbes, Floures and Seedes should bee gathered to bee kept the whole yeare, wyth the vertue of the Herbes when they are stylled. Also a generall rule of all maner of Herbs, drawen out of an auncient booke of Physicke by W. C. Walter Carey. Contains besides X ⁴ in eights. For him."

1550 (date assigned by Mr. Gordon Duff, but in Ames 1552). "The book of the properties of herbes, called an herball, etc., drawn out of an ancient book of phisyck by W. C."

Colophon. Imprynted at London, in | Paule's churchyarde, at the signe of the Swanne, by | Ihon Kynge. | Black-letter 8 ^vo.

Colophon. ¶ Imprinted at London by | Iohn kynge, for | Abraham Wely |. Black-letter 8 ^vo.

The Grete Herball.

1516. The Grete Herball. Imprented at London in Southwark by me Peter Treveris. MD XVI. the xx day of June.

(Mentioned by Ames. No copy of this edition in any of the chief British libraries and no other record of it.)

1525(?). The Grete herball, which is translated out ye Frensshe into Englysshe. With the Mark of Peter Treveris. Undated.

(Mentioned by Hazlitt, who ascribes the date 1525-6. There is no other record of this edition.)

1527. The grete herball. MDXXVII. 18 April.

(Mentioned by Ames as having been printed by Treveris for Laurence Andrew. No copy of this edition in any of the chief British libraries and no other record of it.)

1526. The grete herball | whiche geueth parfyt knowlege and under- | standyng of all maner of herbes & there gracyous vertues whiche god hath | ordeyned for our prosperous welfare and helth, for they hele & cure all maner | of dyseases and sekenesses that fall or mysfortune to all maner of creatoures | of god created, practysed by many expert and wyse maysters, as Auicenna and | other &c. Also it geueth full parfyte understandynge of the booke lately pryn | ted by me (Peter treueris) named the noble experiens of the vertuous hand | warke of Surgery.

Colophon. ¶ Imprentyd at London in South- | warke by me peter Treueris, dwel- | lynge in the sygne of the wodows. | In the yere of our Lorde god. M.D. | XXVI. the xxvii day of July. Black-letter folio.

1529. Second edition of the above also printed by Treveris. Wording of the title is the same.

Colophon differs from the first edition in that it does not contain the printer's address.

¶ Imprynted at London in South | warke by me Peter Treueris. In | the yere of our Lorde god. M.D.XXIX. | the xvii day of Marce. Black-letter folio.

This edition contains no cuts.

1550. Edition of "The Grete Herball" mentioned in Ames and Pulteney. No copy of this edition in any of the chief British libraries.

Colophon. Imprynted at London in | Paules churcheyarde, at the signe of the Swane, | by Jhon Kynge. In the yeare of our | Lorde God. M.D.LXI. Black-letter folio.

"The vertuose boke Of Distyllacyon of the waters of all maner of Herbes."

1527. [The vertuose boke of Distyllacyon of the waters of all maner of Herbes / with the figures of the styllatoryes / Fyrst made and compyled by the thyrte yeres study and labour of the most conynge and famous mayster of phisyke / Master Jherom bruynswyke And now newly Translate out of Duyche into Englysshe. Not only to the synguler helpe and profyte of the Surgyens / Physycyens / and Pothecaryes / But also of all maner of people / Parfytely and in dewe tyme and ordre to lerne to dystyll all maner of Herbes / To the Profyte / cure / and Remedy of all maner dysseases and Infirmytees Apparant and not apparant. ¶ And ye shall understand that the waters be better than the Herbes / as Auicenna testefyeth in his fourthe Conon saynge that all maner medicynes ysed with theyr substance / febleth and maketh aged / and weke.

¶ Cum gratia et preuilegio regali.

Colophon. Imprinted at London in the flete strete by me Laurens Andrewe / in the sygne of the golden Crosse. In the yere of our lorde M.CCCC.XXVII (sic) the xvii daye of Apryll.

Goddis grace shall euer endure.

Second edition. Title identical with above.

Colophon. Imprynted at London in the flete strete by me Laurens Andrewe / in the Sygne of the golden Crosse. In the yere of our Lorde MCCCCCXXVII, the xviii daye of Apryll.

¶ Goddys grace shall euer endure.]

(This edition, although professedly printed one day later, varies considerably from the preceding.)

William Turner.

1877. [Libellus de re herbaria novus by William Turner, originally published in 1538. Reprinted in facsimile, with notes, modern names, and A Life of the author, by Benjamin Daydon Jackson, F.L.S. Privately printed. London, 1877.]

1544. Historia de Naturis Herbarum Scholiis et Notis Vallata. Printed at Cologne.

(This book is mentioned by Bumaldus, but is not otherwise known.)

1881. The names of Herbes by William Turner, A.D. 1548. Edited (with an introduction, an index of English names, and an identification of the plants enumerated by Turner) by James Britten, F.L.S. London. Published for the English Dialect Society, by N. Trübner & Co.

Colophon. Imprinted at London, By Steuen Myerdman, and they are to be soolde in Paules | churchyarde at the sygne of the sprede Egle by | John Gybken.

1562. The seconde parte of Vui- | liam Turners herball, wherein are conteyned the | names of herbes in Greke, Latin, Duche, Frenche, and in the | Apothecaries Latin, and somtyme in Italiane, wyth the ver- | tues of the same herbes | with diuerse confutationes of no small errours, that men of no small learning haue committed in the intreatinge of herbes | of late yeares |

Imprinted at Collen by Arnold Birckman | In the yeare of our Lorde M.D. LXII. | Cum gratia et Priuilegio Reg. Maiest.

1568. The first and seconde partes of the Herbal of William Turner Doctor in Phisick lately ouersene corrected and enlarged with the Thirde parte / lately gathered / and nowe set oute with the names of the herbes / in Greke Latin / English / Duche / Frenche / and in the Apothecaries and Herbaries Latin / with the properties / degrees / and naturall places of the same.

Imprinted at Collen by Arnold Birckman / In the yeare of our Lorde M.D. LXVIII.

Albertus Magnus.

Williyam Bullein.

John Maplet.

1567. A greene Forest, or a naturall Historie, Wherein may bee seene first the most sufferaigne Vertues in all the whole kinde of Stones & Mettals: next of Plants, as of Herbes, Trees, & Shrubs, Lastly of Brute Beastes, Foules, Fishes, creeping wormes & Serpents, and that Alphabetically: so that a Table shall not neede. Compiled by John Maplet M. of Arte, and student in Cambridge: extending hereby y ^t God might especially be glorified: and the people furdered. Anno 1567. Imprinted at London by Henry Denham, dwelling in Pater-noster Rovve at the Starre. Anno Domini. 1567. June 3. Cum Priuilegio.

(The dedicatory epistle is to the Earl of Sussex, "Justice of the Forrestes & Chases from Trent Southward; and Captaine of the Gentlemen Pensioners, of the house of the Queene our Soueraigne Ladie, Eliz.").

Pierre Pena and Matthias de l'Obel.

Colophon. Londini, 1571 | Calendis Januariis excudebat prelum Tho- | mæ Purfœtii ad Lucretie symbolum. | Cum gratia Priuilegii. |

1605. Petrus Pena & Matthias de L'Obel. Dilvcidæ simplicivm medicamenorvm explicationes, & stirpivm adversaria, perfacilis vestigatio, luculentaque accessio ad priscorum, præsertim Dioscoridis & recentiorum materiæ medicæ solidam cognitionem. Londini 1605.

1654. Matthiæ de l'Obel M.D. Botanographi Regii eximii Stirpium Illustrationes. Plurimas elaborantes inauditas plantas, subreptitiis Joh: Parkinsoni rapsodiis ex codice MS insalutato sparsim gravatæ Ejusdem adjecta sunt ad calcem Theatri Botanici Accurante Guil: How, Anglo. Londini Typis Tho: Warren, Impensis Jos: Kirton, Bibliopolæ, in Cæmeterio D. Pauli. 1654.

John Frampton.

1580. Second edition.

¶ Imprinted at London in | Poules Churche-yarde, by | Willyam Norton. | 1577 |.

(A duplicate of the preceding with a different title-page.)

(For the Spanish original and Latin, Italian, French, Flemish and German translations see European Herbals.)

Henry Lyte.

Colophon. Imprinted at Antwerpe, by me | Henry Loë Bookeprinter, and are to be | solde at London in Powels Churchyarde, | by Gerard Dewes.

1586. A New Herball or Historie of Plants: Wherein is contained the whole discourse and perfect description of all sorts of Herbes and Plants: their diuers and sundrie kindes: their Names, Natures, Operations & Vertues: and that not onely of those which are heere growing in this our Countrie of England, but of all others also of forraine Realms commonly used in Physicke. First set foorth in the Dutch or Almaigne toong by that learned D. Rembert Dodoens Physition to the Emperor: And now first translated out of French into English by Henrie Lyte Esquier. Imprinted at London by Ninian Newton. 1586.

1595. Title identical with above, except for the addition of "Corrected and Amended. Imprinted at London by Edm: Bollifant, 1595."

1619. A New Herbal or Historie of Plants: Wherein is contained the whole discourse and perfect description of all sorts of Herbes and Plants: their diuers and sundry kindes their Names, Natures, Operations and Vertues: and that not onely of those which are here growing in this our Country of England but of all others also of forraine Realmes commonly used in Physicke. First set forth in the Dutch or Almaigne tongue by the learned D. Rembert Dodoens Physicion to the Emperor; and now first translated out of French into English by Henry Lyte Esquire. Corrected and Amended. Imprinted at London by Edward Griffin. 1619.

William Ram.

1606. Rams little Dodoen. A briefe Epitome of the New Herbal, or History of Plants. Wherein is contayned the disposition and true declaration of the Phisike helpes of all sortes of herbes and Plants, under their names and operations, not onely of those which are here in this our Countrey of England growing but of all others also of other Realmes, Countreyes and Nations used in Phisike: Collected out of the most exquisite newe Herball, or History of Plants first set forth in the Dutch or Almayne tongue by the learned and worthy man of famous memory, D. Rembert Dodeon, (sic) Phisicion to the Emperour; And lately translated into English by Henry Lyte, Esquire; And now collected and abbridged by William Ram, Gent. Pandit Oliua suos Ramos.

Imprinted at London by Simon Stafford, dwelling in the Cloth Fayre, at the signe of the three Crownes. 1606.

William Langham.

1579. The Garden of Health: containing the sundry rare and hidden vertues and properties of all kindes of Simples and Plants. Together with the manner how they are to bee used and applyed in medicine for the health of mans body, against diuers diseases and infirmities most common amongst men. Gathered by the long experience and industry of William Langham, Practitioner in Physicke. London. Printed by Thomas Harper with permission of the Company of Stationers.

1633. Second edition. Identical title with the addition "The Second edition corrected and amended."

Thomas Newton.

(The dedicatory epistle is to the Earl of Essex.)

John Gerard.

Gerard's herbal was harshly criticized by George Lillie Craik in his "A compendious history of English literature" of. He wrote "[in the earlier half of the 17th century].. the great authority in botany was still the Herbal, or General History of Plants, of John Gerard, originally published in 1597, which was for the most part merely a hasty and inartificial compilation from Dodonaeus, and nearly as destitute of scientific as of literary merit. "

1596. [Catalogus arborum fruticum ac plantarum tam indigenarum quam exoticarum, in horto Ioannis Gerardi civis et Chirurgi Londinensis nascentium-Londini. Ex officina Roberti Robinson 1596.]

1599. Second edition. Londini. Ex officina Arnoldi Hatfield, impensis Ioannis Norton. (The only known copy of the first edition is in the Sloane collection in the British Museum.)

1876. Modern reprint with notes, etc., by B. D. Jackson.

Colophon. Imprinted at London by Edm Bollifant, | for Bonham & John | Norton M.D.XCVII.

1636. Second edition of the above.

More on Gerard's - https://www.amazon.com/Herbal-General-History-Plants-Clothbound/dp/048623147X
https://books.google.com/books?id=hFUkAQAAMAAJ

John Parkinson.

1629. [Paradisi in Sole Paradisus Terrestris. A Garden of all Sorts of Pleasant Flowers Which Our English Ayre will Permitt to be noursed up: with A Kitchen garden of all manner of herbes, rootes, & fruites, for meate or sause used with us, and An Orchard of all sorte of fruit bearing Trees and shrubbes fit for our Land together With the right orderinge planting & preseruing of them and their uses & vertues. Collected by John Parkinson Apothecary of London 1629.

Colophon. London. Printed by Humfrey Lownes and Robert Young at the signe of the Starre on Bread-Street hill. 1629.

1656. Second edition. Title, etc., identical with above.

1904. Facsimile reprint. Paradisi in Sole. Paradisus Terrestris by John Parkinson. Faithfully reprinted from the edition of 1629. Methuen & Co.]

1640. Theatrum Bo | tanicum: | The Theater of Plants | or a Herball of | a | large extent: | containing therein a more ample and | exact History and declaration of the Physicall Herbs | and Plants that are in other Authors, encreased by the accesse of | many hundreds of newe, | rare and strange Plants from all parts of | the world, with sundry Gummes and other Physicall Materi | als than hath been hitherto published by any before, and | a most large demonstration of their Names and Vertues. | Shewing withall the many errors and differences & | oversights of Sundry Authors that have formerly written of | them, and a certaine confidence, or most probable con | jecture of the true and Genuine Herbes | and Plants. | Distributed into Sundry Classes or Tribes for the | more easie knowledge of the many Herbes of one nature | and property with the chief notes of Dr. Lobel, Dr. Bonham | and others inserted therein. | Collected by the many yeares travaile, industry and experience in this subject, by John Parkinson Apothecary of London, and the King's Herbalist. And Published by the King's Majestyes especiall priviledge. London. Printed by Tho. Cotes. 1640.

Leonard Sowerby.

1651. [The Ladies Dispensatory, containing the Natures, Vertues, and Qualities of all Herbs, and Simples usefull in Physick. Reduced into a Methodicall Order, for their more ready use in any sicknesse or other accident of the Body. The like never published in English. With An Alphabeticall Table of all the Vertues of each Herb, and Simple. London. Printed for R. Ibbitson, to be sold by George Calvert at the Halfe-Moon in Watling Street. 1651.]

Robert Pemell.

1652. [Tractatus, De facultatibus Simplicium, A Treatise of the Nature and Qualities of such Simples as are most frequently used in Medicines. Methodically handled for the benefit of those that understand not the Latine Tongue. By Robert Pemell, Practitioner of Physick, at Cranebrooke in Kent. London, Printed by M. Simmons, for Philemon Stephens, at the guilded Lyon in St. Pauls Church-yard. 1652.

1653. Second Part of the above "Treatise." London, Printed by J. Legatt, for Philemon Stephens, at the guilded Lion in Paul's Church-yard. 1653.]

Nicholas Culpeper.

1652. The English Physician Or an Astrologo-physical Discourse of the Vulgar Herbs of this Nation Being a Compleat Method of Physick whereby a man may preserve his Body in health; or cure himself, being sick, for three pence charge, with such things one-ly as grow in England, they being most fit for English Bodies.

Herein is also shewed,

1. The way of making Plaisters, Oyntments, Oyls, Pultisses, Syrups, Decoctions, Julips, or Waters of all Sorts of Physical Herbs, that you may have them ready for your use at all times of the year.

2. What Planet governeth Every Herb or Tree used in Physick that groweth in England.

3. The Time of gathering all Herbs, but vulgarly and astrologically.

4. The way of drying and Keeping the Herbs all the year.

5. The way of Keeping the Juyces ready for use at all times.

6. The way of making and keeping all Kinde of usefull Compounds made of Herbs.

7. The way of mixing Medicines according to Cause and Mixture of the Disease, and Part of the Body afflicted.

By N. Culpeper, Student in Physick and Astrology.

London, Printed for the benefit of the Common-wealth of England. 1652.

(This is the edition repudiated by the author in subsequent editions as incorrect and unauthorised.)

Subsequent editions 1653, 1661, 1693, 1695, 1714, 1725, 1733, 1784, 1792, 1814, 1820.

1818. (Welsh translation.) Herbal, Neu Lysieu-Lyfr. Y Rhan Gyntaf, Yn Cynnwys Go o Gynghorion Teuluaidd Hawdd iw cael; Wedi ei casglu allan o Waith. N. Culpeper. Ag amrywiol eraill, a'r rhan fwyaf o honynt wedi eu profi yn rhinwellol ac effeilhiol i symud yr amrywrol ddoluriau ac y mae ein Cyrph llygredig yn ddarostyngedig iddynt: Ac y maent yn hollawl ilw defnyddw o Ddail a Llysiau ein bwlad ein hunain. Cewch hefyd gyfar wyddyd i ollwng Gwaed, ac y gymeryd Purge. Yr ail argraphiad. Gan D. T. Jones. Caernarfon, Argraphwyd Gan L. E. Jones. 1818.

1862. Second edition of the above.

William Coles

1656. The Art of Simpling. An Introduction to the Knowledge and Gathering of Plants. Wherein the Definitions, Divisions, Places, Descriptions, Differences, Names, Vertues, Times of flourishing and gathering, Uses, Temperatures, Signatures and Appropriations of Plants, are methodically laid down. Whereunto is added A Discovery of the Lesser World. By W. Coles. London. Printed by J. G. for Nath: Brook at the Angell in Cornhill. 1656.

1657. Adam in Eden, or Nature's Paradise. The History of Plants, Fruits, Herbs and Flowers. With their several Names, whether Greek, Latin, or English; the places where they grow; their Descriptions and Kinds; their times of flourishing and decreasing; as also their several Signatures, Anatomical Appropriations, and particular Physical Vertues; together with necessary Observations on the Seasons of Planting, and gathering of our English Simples, with Directions how to preserve them in their Compositions or otherwise. A Work of such a Refined and Useful Method that the Arts of Physick and Chirurgerie are so clearly Laid Open, that Apothecaries, Chirurgions, and all other ingenuous Practitioners, may from our own Fields and Gardens, best agreeing with our English Bodies, on emergent and Sudden occasions, compleatly furnish themselves with cheap, easie, and wholesome Cures for any part of the body that is ill-affected. For the Herbalists greater benefit, there is annexed a Latin and English Table of the several names of Simples; with another more particular Table of the Diseases, and their Cures, treated of in this so necessary a Work. By William Coles, Herbalist. Printed by J. Streater for Nathaniel Brooke.

Robert Lovell

1659. PAMBOTANOLOGIA (ΠΑΜΒΟΤΑΝΟΛΟΓΙΑ). Sive Enchiridion Botanicum. Or a compleat Herball, Containing the Summe of what hath hitherto been published either by Ancient or Moderne Authors both Galenicall and Chymicall, touching Trees, Shrubs, Plants, Fruits, Flowers, etc. In an Alphabeticall order: wherein all that are not in the Physick Garden in Oxford are noted with asterisks. Shewing their Place, Time, Names, Kindes, Temperature, Vertues, Use, Dose, Danger and Antidotes. Together with an Introduction to Herbarisme, etc. Appendix of Exoticks. Universall Index of plants: shewing what grow wild in England. By Robert Lovell. Oxford. Printed by William Hall for Ric Davis. An. 1659.

1665. Second edition. PAMBOTANOLOGIA (ΠΑΜΒΟΤΑΝΟΛΟΓΙΑ) Sive Enchiridion Botanicum. Or a compleat Herball, Containing the Summe of Ancient and Moderne Authors, both Galenical and Chymical, touching Trees, Shrubs, Plants, Fruits, Flowers, etc. In an Alphabetical order: wherein all that are not in the Physick Garden in Oxford are noted with Asterisks. Shewing their Place, Time, Names, Kinds, Temperature, Vertues, Use, Dose, Danger and Antidotes. Together with An Introduction to Herbarisme, etc. Appendix of Exoticks. Universal Index of Plants: shewing what grow wild in England. The second Edition with many Additions mentioned at the end of the Preface. By Robert Lovell.

Oxford. Printed by W. H. for Ric. Davis. 1665.

John Josselyn.

1672. [New England's Rarities Discovered in Birds, Beasts, Fishes, Serpents, and Plants of that country. Together with the Physical and Chyrurgical Remedies wherewith the Natives constantly use to Cure their Distempers, Wounds and Sores. Also A perfect Description of an Indian Squa in all her Bravery; with a Poem not improperly Conferr'd upon her. Lastly A Chronological Table of the most remarkable Passages in that Country amongst the English. Illustrated with Cuts. By John Josselyn Gent.

London Printed for G. Widdowes at the Green Dragon in St. Pauls Church-yard, 1672.]

W. Hughes.

1672. The American Physitian; Or a Treatise of the Roots, Plants, Trees, Shrubs, Fruit, Herbs, etc., growing in the English Plantations in America. Describing the Place, Time, Names, Kindes, Temperature, Vertues and Uses of them, either for Diet, Physick, etc. Whereunto is added A Discourse of the Cacao-Nut-Tree, and the use of its Fruit, with all the ways of making Chocolate. The like never extant before. By W. Hughes.

London, Printed by J. C. for William Crook, at the Green Dragon without Temple-Bar. 1672.

John Archer.

1673. A Compendious Herbal, discovering the Physical Vertue of all Herbs in this Kingdom, and what Planet rules each Herb, and how to gather them in their Planetary Hours. Written by John Archer, One of His Majesties Physicians in Ordinary. London, Printed for the Author, and are to be sold at his House at the Sign of the Golden Ball in Winchester Street, near Broad Street. 1673.

Robert Morison.

1680. [Plantarum Historiæ Universalis Oxoniensis. Pars Secunda seu Herbarum Distributio Nova, per Tabulas Cognationis & Affinitatis Ex Libro Naturæ Observata & Detecta. Auctore Roberto Morison. Medico & Professore Botanico Regio, nec non Inclytæ & Celeberrimæ Universitatis Oxoniensis P. B. ejusdemque Hort. Botan. Præfecto primo. Oxonii, E Theatro Sheldoniano Anno Domini M.D.C.LXXX.

1699. Pars tertia. Partem hanc tertiam, post Auctoris mortem, hortatu Academiæ explevit & absolvit Jacobus Bobartius forte præfectus.]

(The first part was never published.)

John Ray.

1686. [Historia Plantarum Species hactenus editas aliasque insuper multas noviter inventas & descriptas complectens. In qua agitur primo De Plantis in genere, Earumque Partibus, Accidentibus & Differentiis; Deinde Genera omnia tum summa tum Subalterna ad Species usque infimas, Notis suis certis & Characteristicis Definita, Methodo Naturæ vestigiis insistente disponuntur; Species Singulæ accurate describuntur, obscura illustrantur, omissa supplentur, superflua resecantur, Synonyma necessaria Adjiciuntur; Vires denique & Usus recepti compendiò traduntur. Auctore Joanne Raio, E Societate Regiâ & S.S. Individuæ Trinitatis Collegii apud Cantabrigienses Quondam Socio.

Londini Mariæ Clark: Prostant apud Henricum Faithorne Regiæ Societatis Typographum ad Insigne Rosæ in Cæmeterio. D Pauli.

CIƆ IƆ CLXXXVL]

Leonard Plukenet.

1690. [Leonardi Plukenetij Phytographia. Sive Stirpium Illustriorum & minus cognitarum Icones, Tabulis Æneis, Summa diligentia elaboratæ, Quarum unaquæg Titulis descriptorijs ex Notis Suis proprijs, & Characteristicis desumptis, insignita; ab alijs ejusdem Sortis facile discriminatur. Pars prior Meminisse juvabit. Londini MDCXC, Sumptibus Autoris.]

William Westmacott.

1694.THEOLOBOTANOLOGIA ( ΘΕΟΛΟΒΟΤΑΝΟΛΟΓΙΑ ) Sive Historia Vegetabilium Sacra: or, a Scripture Herbal; wherein all the Trees, Shrubs, Herbs, Plants, Flowers, Fruits, &c., Both Foreign and Native, that are mentioned in the Holy Bible, (being near Eighty in Number) are in an Alphabetical Order, Rationally Discoursed of, Shewing, Their Names, Kinds, Descriptions, Places, Manner of Propagation, Countries, various Uses, Qualities and Natural Principles, &c. Together with their Medicinal Preparations, Virtues and Dose, Galenically and Chymically handled and Performed according to the newest Doctrines of Philosophy, Herbarism and Physick. The whole being Adorned with variety of Matter, and Observations, not only Medicinall, but Relating to the Alimental and Mechanical Uses of the Plants. Fit for Divines, and all Persons of any other Profession and Calling whatsoever, that use to read the Holy Scriptures, wherein they find not only Physick for the Soul, but also with the help of this Herbal, (may the better understand the Bible, which also yields them) safe Medicines for the Cure of their Corporal Diseases. The like never extant before. By William Westmacott of the Borough of Newcastle under Line, in the County of Stafford, Physican. Adoro Scripturæ Plenitudinem. Tertul. London, Printed for T. Salusbury, at the King's-Arms next St. Dunstan's Church in Fleet-street. 1694.

John Pechey.

1694. The Compleat Herbal of Physical Plants. Containing All such English and Foreign Herbs, Shrubs and Trees, as are used in Physick and Surgery. And to the Virtues of those that are now in use, is added one Receipt, or more, of some Learned Physician. The Doses or Quantities of such as are prescribed by the London Physicians, and others, are proportioned. Also Directions for Making Compound-Waters, Syrups Simple and Compound, Electuaries, Pills, Powders, and other Sorts of Medicines. Moreover, The Gums, Balsams, Oyls, Juices, and the like, which are sold by Apothecaries and Druggists, are added to this Herbal; and their Virtues and Uses are fully described. By John Pechey, Of the College of Physicians, in London. Printed for Henry Bonwicke, at the Red Lyon in St. Paul's Church-yard. 1694.

William Salmon.

1710. Botanologia. The English Herbal: or History of Plants. Containing I. Their Names, Greek, Latine and English. II. Their Species, or various Kinds. III. Their Descriptions. IV. Their Places of Growth. V. Their Times of Flowering and Seeding. VI. Their Qualities or Properties. VII. Their Specifications. VIII. Their Preparations, Galenick and Chymick. IX. Their Virtues and Uses. X. A Complete Florilegium, of all the choice Flowers cultivated by our Florists, interspersed through the whole Work, in their proper Places; where you have their Culture, Choice, Increase, and Way of Management, as well for Profit as for Delectation. Adorned with Exquisite Icons or Figures, of the most considerable Species, representing to the Life, the true Forms of those Several Plants. The whole in an Alphabetical Order. By William Salmon, M.D. London: Printed by I. Dawks, for H. Rhodes, at the Star, the Corner of Bride-Lane, in Fleet-Street; and J. Taylor, at the Ship in Pater-noster-Row. M.DCC.X.

(The dedicatory epistle is to Queen Anne.)

James Petiver.

1715. [Hortus Peruvianus Medicinalis: or, the South-Sea herbal. Containing the names, figures, vse, &c., of divers medicinal plants, lately discovered by Pere L. Feuillee, one of the King of France's herbalists. To which are added, the figures, &c., of divers American gum-trees, dying woods, drugs, as the Jesuits bark-tree and others, much desired and very necessary to be known by all such as now traffick to the South-Seas or reside in those parts.]

(Undated.) Botanicum Londinense, or London Herbal. Giving the Names, Descriptions and Virtues &c. of such Plants about London as have been observed in the several Monthly Herborizings made for the Use of the young Apothecaries and others, Students in the Science of Botany or Knowledge of Plants.

(Undated.) Botanicum Anglicum, or The English Herball: Wherein is contained a curious Collection of Real Plants being the true Patterns of such Trees, Shrubs and Herbs as are observed to grow Wild in England. By which any one may most easily attain to the Speedy and True Knowledge of them. With an Account (affixed to each Plant) of their Names, Places where Growing, and Times of Flourishing: As also what Parts and Preparations, of Each Physical Plant, are most in Use. And for the farther Instruction and Satisfaction of such, who are Lovers of Plants, The Composer of this Collection chose to make his chiefest References to the General History, Catalogue and Synopsis of that Learned Author, and most Judicious Botanist, Mr. John Ray: As also to our Two most Esteemed English Herballs, Johnson upon Gerard and Parkinson; and for your more speedy finding each Plant, he hath quoted the Page, wherein you may observe its Name, Figure or Description.

Sold by Samuel Smith at the Princes-Arms in St. Paul's Church-yard, London.

[Undated. The Virtues of several Sovereign Plants found wild in Maryland with Remarks on them.]

Tournefort's Herbal.

1716. The Compleat Herbal: or, the Botanical Institutions of Mr. Tournefort, Chief Botanist to the late French King. Carefully translated from the original Latin. With large Additions, from Ray, Gerard, Parkinson, and others, the most celebrated Moderns; Containing what is further observable upon the same Subject, together with a full and exact Account of the Physical Virtues and Uses of the several Plants; and a more compleat Dictionary of the Technical Words of this Art, than ever hitherto published: Illustrated with about five hundred Copper Plates, containing above four thousand different Figures, all curiously engraven. A Work highly Instructive, and of general Use.

In the Savoy: Printed by John Nutt, and Sold by J. Morphew near Stationers-Hall, and most Booksellers in Great-Britain and Ireland. 1716.

Joseph Miller.

1722. Botanicum Officinale; or a Compendious Herbal: giving an account of all such Plants as are now used in the Practice of Physick. With their Descriptions and Virtues. By Joseph Miller. London: Printed for E. Bell in Cornhill, J. Senex in Fleet-Street, W. Taylor in Pater-noster-Row, and J. Osborn in Lombard-Street. M.DCC.XXII.

(The book is dedicated to Sir Hans Sloane.)

Patrick Blair.

1723. Pharmaco-Botanologia: or, An Alphabetical and Classical Dissertation on all the British Indigenous and Garden Plants of the New London Dispensatory. In which Their Genera, Species, Characteristick and Distinctive Notes are Methodically described; the Botanical Terms of Art explained; their Virtues, Uses, and Shop-Preparations declared. With many curious and useful Remarks from proper Observation. By Patrick Blair, M.D., of Boston in Lincolnshire and Fellow of the Royal Society. London: Printed for G. Strahan at the Golden Ball over-against the Royal Exchange in Cornhill; W. and J. Innys at the West End of St. Paul's Church-yard; and W. Mears at the Lamb, without Temple Bar. MDCCXXIII.

Elizabeth Blackwell.

1737. A Curious Herbal, Containing Five Hundred Cuts, of the most useful Plants, which are now used in the Practice of Physick. Engraved on folio Copper Plates, after Drawings, taken from the Life. By Elizabeth Blackwell. To which is added a short Description of y ^e Plants; and their common Uses in Physick. London. Printed for Samuel Harding in St. Martin's Lane. MDCCXXXVII.

1757. Herbarium Blackwellianvm Emendatvm et Anetivm id est Elisabethæ Blackwell Collectio Stirpium Qvæ in Pharmacopoliis ad Medicvm vsvm asservantvr Qvarvm Descriptio et Vires ex Anglico idiomate in Latinvm conversæsistvntvr figuræ maximam partem ad naturale Exemplar emendantvr floris frvctvsqve partivm repræsentatione avgentvr et Probatis Botanicorvm nominibvs cum præfatione Tit. Pl. D.D. Christoph. Iacobi Trew. Excvdit figvras pinxit atqve in æs incidit Nicolavs-Fridericvs Eisenbergervs sereniss. Dvcis Saxo-Hildbvrg. Pictor avlicvs Norimbergæ Degens. Norim bergæ Typis Christiani de Lavnoy Anno MDCCLVII.

Thomas Short.

1747. Medicina Britannica: or a Treatise on such Physical Plants, as are Generally to be found in the Fields or Gardens in Great-Britain: Containing A particular Account of their Nature, Virtues, and Uses. Together with The Observations of the most learned Physicians, as well ancient as modern, communicated to the late ingenious Mr. Ray, and the learned Dr. Sim. Pauli. Adapted more especially to the Occasions of those, whose Condition or Situation of Life deprives them, in a great Measure, of the Helps of the Learned. By Tho. Short of Sheffield, M.D. London. Printed for R. Manby & H. Shute Cox, opposite the Old Baily on Ludgate-Hill. MDCCXLVII.

1748. [A complete History of Drugs. Written in French By Monsieur Pomet, Chief Druggist to the late French King Lewis XIV. To which is added what is farther observable on the same Subject, from Mess Lemery and Tournefort, Divided into Three Classes, Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral; With their Use in Physic, Chemistry, Pharmacy, and several other Arts. Illustrated with above Four Hundred Copper-Cuts, curiously done from the Life; and an Explanation of their different Names, Places of Growth, and Countries where they are produced; with the Methods of distinguishing the Genuine and Perfect, from the Adulterated, Sophisticated and Decayed; together with their Virtues, &c. A Work of very great Use and Curiosity. Done into English from the Originals. London. Printed for J. and J. Bonwicke, S. Birt, W. Parker, C. Hitch, and E. Wicksteed. MDCCXLVIII.]

(The above is dedicated to Sir Hans Sloane.)

James Newton.

1752. A compleat Herbal of the late James Newton, M.D., Containing the Prints and the English Names of several thousand Trees, Plants, Shrubs, Flowers, Exotics, etc. All curiously engraved on Copper-Plates. London: Printed by E. Cave at S. John's Gate; and sold by Mr. Watson, an Apothecary, over-against St. Martin's Church, in the Strand; Mr. Parker, at Oxford; Mr. Sandby, at the Ship, in Fleet-street. M,DCC,LII.

"Sir" John Hill.

1755. The Family Herbal, or an account of all those English Plants, which are remarkable for their virtues, and of the Drugs which are produced by Vegetables of other Countries; with their descriptions and their uses, as proved by experience. Also directions for the gathering and preserving roots, herbs, flowers, and seeds; the various methods of preserving these simples for present use; receipts for making distilled waters, conserves, syrups, electuaries, Juleps, draughts, &c., &c., with necessary cautions in giving them. Intended for the use of families. By Sir John Hill, M.D., F.R.A. of Sciences at Bourdeaux.

Subsequent editions, 1812, 1820.

1756. The British Herbal; An History of Plants and Trees, Natives of Britain, cultivated for use, or raised for beauty. By John Hill, M.D. London. Printed for T. Osborne and J. Shipton, in Grays-Inn; J. Hodges, near London-Bridge; J. Newbery in S. Paul's Church-Yard; B. Collins; And S. Crowder and H. Woodgate, in Pater-noster-Row. MDCCLVI.

1769. Herbarium Britannicum Exhibens Plantas Britanniæ Indigenas secundum Methodum floralem novam digestas. Cum Historia, Descriptione, Characteribus Specificis, Viribus, et Usis. Auctore Johanne Hill, Medicinæ Doctore, Academiæ Imperialis Naturæ Curiosorum Dioscoride quarto, &c. Londini: Sumptibus auctoris. Prostant apud Baldwin, Ridley, Nourse, Becket, Davies, Cambell, Elmsly Bibliopolis. MDCCLXIX.

Timothy Sheldrake.

1759 (circ.). Botanicum Medicinale; An Herbal of Medicinal Plants on the College of Physicians List. Describing their Places of Growth, Roots, Bark, Leaves, Buds, Time of Flowering, Blossoms, Flowers, Stiles, Chives, Embrio's, Fruits, Farina, Colours, Seeds, Kernels, Seed-Vessels, Parts used in Medicine, Preparations in the Shops, Medicinal Virtues, Names in Nine Languages. Most beautifully engraved on 120 Large Folio Copper-Plates, From the Exquisite Drawings of the late Ingenious T. Sheldrake. English Plants are drawn from Nature to the greatest Accuracy, Flowers, or Parts, too small to be distinguished, are magnified. Nothing in any Language exceeds this Thirty Years laborious Work, of which may truly be said that Nature only equals it, every Thing of the Kind, hitherto attempted, being trivial, compared to this inimitable Performance. Designed to promote Botanical Knowledge, prevent Mistakes in the Use of Simples in compounding and preparing Medicines, to illustrate, and render such Herbals as want the Just Representations in their proper Figures and Colour more useful. Necessary to such as practise Physic, Pharmacy, Chemistry, &c., entertaining to the Curious, the Divine and Philosopher, in contemplating these wonderful Productions, - useful to Painters, Heralds, Carvers, Designers, Gardeners, etc. The Colours of every part are minutely described; for Utility it must be esteemed to any Hortus Siccus extant. The Means to preserve Fruits, or to dry Flowers, in their Native Form and Colour are not yet discovered; Plants cannot be preserved to Perfection. The Flowers, when coloured, are represented in their original Bloom, and Fruits in the inviting Charms of Maturity. To which is now added His Tables for finding the Heat and Cold in all Climates, that Exotic Plants may be raised in Summer, and preserved in Winter. London. Printed for J. Millan, opposite the Admiralty, Whitehall.

John Edwards.

1770. The British Herbal containing one hundred Plates of the most beautiful and scarce Flowers and useful Medicinal Plants which blow in the open Air of Great Britain, accurately coloured from Nature, with their Botanical Characters, and A short account of their Cultivation, etc., etc. By John Edwards. London: Printed for the Author; and sold by J. Edmonson, Painter to Her Majesty in Warwick Street, Golden Square; and J. Walter at Homer's Head, Charing-Cross. MDCCLXX.

1775. A select Collection of One Hundred Plates; consisting of the most beautiful exotic and British Flowers which blow in our English Gardens, accurately drawn and Coloured from Nature, with their Botanic Characters, and a short account of their Cultivation, Their uses in Medicine, with Their Latin and English Names. By John Edwards. London: Printed for S. Hooper, No. 25 Ludgate-Hill. M.DCC.LXXV.

William Meyrick.

1789. The New Family Herbal; or Domestic Physician: Enumerating with accurate Descriptions, All the known Vegetables which are any way remarkable for medical efficacy; with an account of their Virtues in the Several Diseases incident to the Human Frame. Illustrated with figures of the most remarkable plants, accurately delineated and engraved. By William Meyrick, Surgeon. Birmingham, Printed by Pearson and Rollason, and Sold by R. Baldwin, Pater-noster Row London. MDCCLXXXIX.

1790. Second edition - Title, etc., identical with above.

Henry Barham.

1794. Hortus Americanus: Containing an account of the Trees, Shrubs, and other Vegetable Productions, of South-America and the West India Islands, and particularly of the Island of Jamaica; Interspersed with many curious and useful Observations, respecting their Uses in Medicine, Diet, and Mechanics. By the late Dr. Henry Barham. To which are added a Linnæan Index, etc., etc., etc. Kingston, Jamaica: printed and published by Alexander Arkman, Printer to the King's most Excellent Majesty, and to the Honourable House of Assembly. MDCCXCIV.

Samuel Stearns - "The American Herbal" (1801)

Available in full from Google Books - https://books.google.com/books?id=cogfAAAAYAAJ

Robert John Thornton.

1810. A Family Herbal: a Familiar Account of the Medical Properties of British and Foreign Plants, also their uses in dying, and the various Arts, arranged according to the Linnæan System, and illustrated by two hundred and fifty-eight engravings from plants drawn from Nature by Henderson, and engraved by Bewick of Newcastle. By Robert John Thornton, M.D., Member of the University of Cambridge, and of the Royal London College of Physicians; Lecturer on Botany at Guy's Hospital; Author of a Grammar of Botany, the Philosophy of Medicine, etc. London: Printed for B. & R. Crosby and Co., Stationer's Court, Ludgate Street.

1814. Second edition.

Jonathan Stokes.

1812. A Botanical Materia Medica, Consisting of the Generic and Specific Characters of the Plants used in Medicine and Diet, with Synonyms, And references to Medical authors, By Jonathan Stokes, M.D. In Four volumes. London, Printed for J. Johnson and Co. St. Paul's Churchyard. 1812. Available in full via google books - https://books.google.com/books?id=9QEAAAAAQAAJ

Thomas Green.

1816. The Universal Herbal; or, Botanical, Medical, and Agricultural Dictionary. Containing an account of All the known plants in the World, arranged according to the Linnean System. Specifying the uses to which they are or may be applied, whether as Food, as Medicine, or in the Arts and Manufactures. With the best methods of Propagation, and the most recent agricultural improvements. Collected from indisputable Authorities. Adapted to the use of the Farmer - the Gardener - the Husbandman - the Botanist - the Florist - and Country Housekeepers in General. By Thomas Green. Liverpool. Printed at the Caxton Press by Henry Fisher, Printer in Ordinary to His Majesty. Sold at 87, Bartholomew Close, London.

1824. Second edition.

John Lindley - "Flora Medica; A Botanical Account of all the more important plants used in Medicine, in different parts of the world." (1838)

Ph.D., F.R.S., Professor of Botany in University College, London; Vice-Secretary of the Horticultural Society, etc. etc. etc. London: Printed for Longman, Orme, Brown, Green, and Longmans, Paternoster-Row. 1838.

Maria Callcott - "A Scripture Herbal" (1842)

Much information on plants that are mentioned in the Bible, their use and distribution in old times. Contains simple woodcut images. This work can be viewed in full on Google Books - https://books.google.com/books?id=SlQOAAAAQAAJ

Samuel Frederick Gray - "Gray's supplement to the Pharmacopoeia" (1848)

The intro has an interesting section on the history of medicinal works. Plants are covered at length - p.178-547 - a massive list of species. This work can be viewed in full on Google Books - https://books.google.com/books?id=0_TI4kLEHAkC

Maud Grieve - "A Modern Herbal" (1931)

Maud Grieve was a Fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society and President of the British Guild of Herb Growers. Grieve's herbal is still in use among herbalists and considered a valuable reference work. Grieves' Herbal can be read online at https://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/comindx.html

The majority of sixteenth- and early seventeenth-century gardening books devote considerable space to herbs. See especially: -

1563. Thomas Hill. The proffitable Arte of Gardening.

1594. Sir Hugh Platt. The Garden of Eden.

1617. Gervase Markham. The Country Housewife's Garden.

1618. William Lawson. A new Orchard and Garden with the Country Housewife's Garden.

EURPOPEAN LANGUAGE HERBALS (printed) 1495-present

This list includes only the chief works, and those which have some connection with the history of the herbal in England. With the exception of the Arbolayre, copies of all the incunabula herbals mentioned below are to be found in the British Museum. Copies in American libraries are noted in the list.

PRINTED HERBALS IN LATIN

AZTEC / MESOAMERICAN HERBALS

Libellus de Medicinalibus Indorum Herbis (1552 A.D.) The "Little Book of the Medicinal Herbs of the Indians" is an ancient Aztec herbal. It was translated from the 1552 Nahuatl original of Martín de la Cruz into Latin by Juan Badiano. It was translated into English in 1939 by William Gates; however the names of the plants are still in the original language, leaving uncertainty as to their identity. Weird concoctions abound, some of which sound quite ghastly - and some of the ingredients proposed by the Aztec herbal are at first confusing - such as "dragon's blood" for example: However we learn from Hernandez "Rerum Medicarum" (next) that "dragon's blood" was a nickname for a tree - Ezquahuitl - with red sap. Could this be the "Sangre de Draco" of today? Seems likely. ^[6][7]

Francisco Hernández - "Rerum Medicarum" (1615 A.D.) Francisco Hernández was sent from Spain to study "New Spain" - now Mexico. Researching from indigenous sources, in addition to the extensive botanical gardens of the Aztecs, he compiled the Rerum Medicarum, a work listing some 1200 plants. ^[1]

CHINESE HERBALS

Shennong pen Ts'ao ching (c.2700 B.C.) According to legend, this "Great Herbal" of ancient China is dated to 2700 B.C. and was composed by the Emperor Shennong, the founder of Chinese herbal medicine. The earliest surviving copy dates to around 500 A.D. and contains descriptions of 365 herbs. Most of the remedies prescribed in old traditional Chinese medicine texts were plant-based. ^[1]

Bencao Gangmu (1578 A.D.) Regarded as the most comprehensive text ever written on traditional Chinese medicine, the Bencao Gangmu, written in the time of the Ming Dynasty by Li Shizhen, lists not only all the plants but also animal and mineral preparations believed to have medicinal properties. This work, also known n English by the name "Compendium of Materia Medica", consists of 53 volumes and it is stated that Li Shihzen gathered information from 800 other medical texts, and performed 30 years of field study before completing the work. The Bencao Gangmu lists an incredible 1,892 herbs. ^[5]

MANUSCRIPT HERBALS (9th-16th cent)

The subject of medieval herbals is vast and labyrinthine. As works were copied by hand, and herbals were often compiled from other herbals, a massive volume of material exists. Not only this, but much has been lost and much is incomplete.

This section is at present comprised of the large list copied from Eleanour Sinclair Rohde's "The Old English Herbals" of 1922.

Also see " The Herbal in Antiquity and its Transmission to Later Ages". By Charles Joseph Singer. (1927)

MISCELLANEOUS other HERBALS

Sushruta Samhita (c.800 B.C.) Ancient Sanskrit text on ayurvedic medicine. The earliest existing copy is the Bower Manuscript, dating to the 3rd or 4th century AD. The Sushruta Samhita contains information on surgery, herbalism and even water purification. Some of the techniques are surprisingly advanced - including principles of plastic surgery. 1120 medical conditions are listed, together with 700 medicinal plants and 64 preparations from minerals. ^[3]

BOOKS about HERBALS

Here is a list of books about the history of herbal literature. Some of these books are, or contain, compendious lists of herbals and were consulted extensively in the preparation of this page.

Sir E. A. Wallis Budge - "Divine Origin of the Craft of the Herbalist" (1924?) First published "at Culpeper House by the Society of Herbalists" in 1928, this fascinating study, running to around 90 pages, discusses the origins of herbalism as derived from the ancient Egyptians of c. 2,000 B.C. , through Greek, Latin and other civilizations. Budge was one of the foremost Egyptologists of all times, and appointer Keeper of Egyptian Antiquities at the British Museum. This work is available as a partial preview on Google Books - https://books.google.com/books?id=URjZexSLldsC

Eleanour Sinclair Rohde - "The Old English Herbals" (1922) An "epic" on the subject of the herbal in the English language, this work lists a veritable mountain of herbals, with commentary on many of the great English herbals from Anglo Saxon times onwards. Much information on medieval manuscripts and their whereabouts. This work is available in full view on Google Books - https://books.google.com/books?id=dNE-AAAAYAAJ

Stanley H. Johnston - "The Cleveland Herbal, Botanical, and horticultural collections" (1922) This is a bibliography of pre-1830 herbals and botanical works in the collections of the Holden Arboretum, the Cleveland Medical Library Assoc., and the Garden Center of Greater Cleveland. This is a monumental work, running to over 1000 pages, and it lists a staggering number of herbals. This work is available as a partial preview on Google Books - https://books.google.com/books?id=ff5tJ4EfHhMC

Herbals - info sources

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbal
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papyrus_Ebers
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sushruta_Samhita
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Materia_Medica
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bencao_Gangmu
[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libellus_de_Medicinalibus_Indorum_Herbis
[7] https://books.google.com/books?id=TKE_J2M6P-8C
[a] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galen
[b] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_Chinese_medicine
[c] www.therenaissanceman.org/images/DIOSCORIDES-Intro_Book_1.doc
[d] https://penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/aconite/crateuas.html