By (author) Christina Stapley
A comprehensive guide detailing the story of healing with herbs from pre-history to modern times.
Drawing on her decades of experience as an established herbalist and historian, Christina Stapley presents an encyclopaedic and accessible guide to the theory and practice of Western herbal medicine throughout history. Spanning an impressive timeline of two thousand years, A History of Plant Medicine is a fundamental textbook for students and practitioners of herbal medicine to enhance their study and practice, as well as an enjoyable narrative for anyone interested in this bountiful and fascinating subject.
Using a wealth of historical research, Stapley invites readers on a journey from the beginnings of botany, through to the development of Greek and Celtic medicine, including Roman medicine and the Roman settlement of Britain. It moves on to explore Anglo-Saxon leechbooks, Arabic Medicine, Norman influenced physicians and surgeons and pharmacy in the Medieval Period. It also examines the physic garden in Britain, Culpeper and Astrology, concluding with changes and developments to herbal medicine in the modern day.
As well as offering a detailed chronology of herbalism in the Western world, A History of Plant Medicine provides practical advice and recipes which can be implemented in the daily practice of the modern herbalist. Stapley creates tangible threads through time, focusing on the most used herbs at different periods, and following them over the centuries. Special emphasis is put upon seeking out effective recipes and practices abandoned in favour of new ideas and foreign herbs, and each is presented clearly and accessibly throughout. A History of Plant Medicine also illuminates the work of women physicians across the ages, whose work has often been obscured or forgotten.
Ultimately, A History of Plant Medicine invites herbalists (both new and old), historians, or interested lay people, to re-evaluate their relationship with herbal medicine, in understanding how different herbs are perceived in the light of knowledge and beliefs at particular times, in order to aid a greater understanding of the Western herbal tradition.
By (author) Christina Stapley
Christina Stapley is a retired medical herbalist with ten years of practice. She now teaches pharmacognosy, materia medica and the history of western herbal medicine. Christina is a member of the Herbal History Research Network, and for many years has tutored practical historical herb workshops. She is a Royal Horticultural Society lecturer and has written three books on growing and using herbs. Christina has written courses on ageing successfully with herbs and edited a book of 17th century cookery and medicinal recipes.
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Praise for The Tree Dispensary: Exotic Trees by Christina Stapley (Aeon, 2021) (9781913504731):
“The Tree Dispensary is a first-hand account of remarkable trees of the world from a renowned herbal expert. having travelled the world to meet the trees she writes about, the author artfully weaves her personal insights and observations along with a wealth of practical and historical information. Medicinal and edible uses, history, folklore, traditional uses, and recipes and remedies are all included in this inclusive and detailed volume. The author has done a brilliant job representing a wide variety of trees and their importance in our lives.”
Rosemary Gladstar, herbalist and author
“This book is rich with information. Written by a herbalist-historian, it’s driven by a deep feeling for trees and their gifts and for the devastating history of people enslaved to cultivate them. she describes fruits, spices and medicine in their native habitat, picking out nuggets of folklore and historical use. it’s also an excellent guide to applying them creatively and safely today as medicine from one with long hands-on experience.”
Alex Laird, medical herbalist, lecturer, author of Root to Stem
“In this extremely well-researched book, Christina Stapley takes us on a rich journey of discovery exploring some of the world’s more exotic medicinal trees. From the mood-enhancing Cacao in Grenada, to the circulation-boosting Maidenhair tree in China and the antimicrobial Mastic in Chios, Christina examines key scientific research into their healing powers. This book is an essential and informative read for anyone interested in the healing properties of medicinal trees.”
Chris Etheridge, medical herbalist, President of the College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy
“Most herbals invite you to concentrate your attention on plants growing at your feet. Christina Stapley’s wonderful work The Tree Dispensary directs us to turn our eyes upwards, and to study the amazing medical qualities of our favourite garden trees. now she has extended her travels and research to the whole world, in a second collection, which ranges from such treasures as the wonderful stomach-soothing slippery elm of North America through to exotic Frankincense and Myrrh of Oman. all in all, a fascinating sidelight on medical history.”
Barbara Griggs, author of Green Pharmacy
Praise for The Tree Dispensary: Native Trees by Christina Stapley (Aeon, 2021) (9781913504724)
"In The Tree Dispensary Christina Stapley takes you by the hand, through the seasons, to introduce you to the trees that she knows so intimately. Her friendly narrative leads you to each tree, outlining their history and folklore, their culinary attributes, medicinal history and properties and then details the way she, as a modern herbalist, uses them. It will make you appreciate the trees in your neighbourhood even more."
Barbara Segall, editor of The Horticulturist
‘A History of Plant Medicine takes us on a fascinating journey beginning with earliest recorded uses of plant medicine right up to the modern day herbal renaissance. Comprehensive and meticulously researched, this book introduces the reader to key figures in western herbal medicine, ancient herbal texts, how plants and herbal knowledge have traveled from one culture to another, and introduces us to the concept of herbal energetics and how it has evolved over the centuries. For anyone interested in western herbalism, medicine and history in general, this book is a must read. It provides important historical data and an understanding of the evolution of medicine in western culture.’
Rosemary Gladstar, herbalist and author of Medicinal Herbs, A Beginners Guide
‘Christina Stapley takes us on a long walk through two thousand years of the use of medicinal plants. This big sweep is brought together by Tina’s discussion of her personal practical experience as a practitioner and in preparing medicines from historic recipes. The theme of each chapter is linked to a particular time and place and the use of relevant British plants. The timeline, bibliography and glossary mean that students or herbal practitioners can explore any theme in more detail.’
Alison Denham MA, FNIMH & Margaret Whitelegg BA PhD FNIMH
The Tree Dispensary: Native Trees by Christina Stapley featured in The Landscape Magazine (UK), 'The best of the season to inspire and admire'.
The Tree Dispensary: Exotic Trees by Christina Stapley has won the Thomas DiBaggio Book Award 2023 from the International Herb Association Foundation, USA.
‘A History of Plant Medicine takes us on a fascinating journey beginning with earliest recorded uses of plant medicine right up to the modern day herbal renaissance. Comprehensive and meticulously researched, this book introduces the reader to key figures in western herbal medicine, ancient herbal texts, how plants and herbal knowledge have traveled from one culture to another, and introduces us to the concept of herbal energetics and how it has evolved over the centuries. For anyone interested in western herbalism, medicine and history in general, this book is a must read. It provides important historical data and an understanding of the evolution of medicine in western culture.’
‘Christina Stapley takes us on a long walk through two thousand years of the use of medicinal plants. This big sweep is brought together by Tina’s discussion of her personal practical experience as a practitioner and in preparing medicines from historic recipes. The theme of each chapter is linked to a particular time and place and the use of relevant British plants. The timeline, bibliography and glossary mean that students or herbal practitioners can explore any theme in more detail.’
