The Herbal Column
Modern Musings on Ancient Greek Herbalism
From the Herbarium: Was it True? Exploring the Magical Uses of Bay Laurel and Mandrake in Antiquity
For much of human history, medicine has been based on traditional folk practices and natural remedies. Exploring both tradition and science, however, can provide a greater framework for understanding the history of herbalism and modern medicine. Let’s explore how the herbs bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) and mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) were used in antiquity and the scientific research that either proves or denies these plants’ indicated effects. Were these ancient claims true?
The 1st Panhellenic Conference of Traditional Greek Folk medicine
As a speaker for the 1st Panhellenic Conference of Traditional Greek Folk Medicine, this presentation explores ancient and modern herbal practices of popular herbs in Greece. Exploring the theme that “custom is king,” a cultural continuity of herbal customs − from ancient to modern Greece − provides insight into how plants can teach us timeless lessons about history, health, and the persevering character of nature itself.
From The Herbal Academy: De Materia Medica - The Ancient Text That Changed The World
Excerpt from The Herbal Academy: “There is a grand mystery and pleasure in reading ancient texts that can still fulfill our curiosities about the human experience. Writings about herbalism are no exception, as they give us a sense of how our ancestors lived, survived, and interacted with the natural world around them. De Materia Medica, Latin for “On Medical Material” is a surviving text from the first century written by Pedanius Dioscorides (c. 40-90 CE), a Greek medical botanist and physician who served in the Roman army. His five-volume manuscript describes approximately 600 plants for more than 1,000 traditional medicines. Centuries after it was written, Dioscorides’ celebrated herbal reference would become the basis of European and Western pharmacopeia.”
Everlasting Traditions in Herbal Medicine
The practice of herbal medicine in antiquity was not separate from everyday living. It was an integral part of every custom, celebration, and recipe throughout the ancient world.
A story for every image
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