The Herbal Column
Modern Musings on Ancient Greek Herbalism
Groundbreaking Event for the Dioscorides Garden in Athens
On Saturday, April 9, 2024, the Herbalists Without Borders, Athens Chapter hosted a public groundbreaking garden event to establish The Dioscorides Garden on the iconic grounds of Zappeion.
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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