A miniature treasury of medicinal plants, drawn from the work of a pioneering woman artist. This miniature book contains a veritable garden of healing plants, specially chosen from Elizabeth Blackwell's Curious Herbal (1737 39). A talented artist, Blackwell published her herbal as a means of financial support after her husband landed in debtor's prison-and it quickly became a prized reference for doctors and apothecaries. Each of the 140 exquisite hand-colored engravings featured herein-from elderberry and chamomile to aloe and St. John's wort-is accompanied by Blackwell's description of its medicinal properties. The plants have been selected by the renowned garden writer Marta McDowell, who also contributes an introduction about Elizabeth Blackwell and the herbal medicine of her time. Healing Plants is the perfect little gift for anyone interested in herbalism, botany, or gardening. AUTHOR: Marta McDowell is a gardener, lecturer, and horticultural writer. Her books include All the Presidents' Gardens (2016) and Beatrix Potter's Gardening Life (2013), winner of the Gold Award from the Garden Writers Association. SELLING POINTS: . A delightful miniature gift for herbalists, gardeners, and admirers of botanical illustration . Includes 137 beautiful engravings of medicinal plants from Elizabeth Blackwell's Curious Herbal (originally published 1737-39), along with Blackwell's descriptions of their medicinal properties . Introduction by renowned garden writer Marta McDowell, about A Curious Herbal and the history of herbal medicine
A miniature treasury of medicinal plants, drawn from the work of a pioneering woman artist. This miniature book contains a veritable garden of healing plants, specially chosen from Elizabeth Blackwell's Curious Herbal (1737 39). A talented artist, Blackwell published her herbal as a means of financial support after her husband landed in debtor's prison-and it quickly became a prized reference for doctors and apothecaries. Each of the 140 exquisite hand-colored engravings featured herein-from elderberry and chamomile to aloe and St. John's wort-is accompanied by Blackwell's description of its medicinal properties. The plants have been selected by the renowned garden writer Marta McDowell, who also contributes an introduction about Elizabeth Blackwell and the herbal medicine of her time. Healing Plants is the perfect little gift for anyone interested in herbalism, botany, or gardening. AUTHOR: Marta McDowell is a gardener, lecturer, and horticultural writer. Her books include All the Presidents' Gardens (2016) and Beatrix Potter's Gardening Life (2013), winner of the Gold Award from the Garden Writers Association. SELLING POINTS: . A delightful miniature gift for herbalists, gardeners, and admirers of botanical illustration . Includes 137 beautiful engravings of medicinal plants from Elizabeth Blackwell's Curious Herbal (originally published 1737-39), along with Blackwell's descriptions of their medicinal properties . Introduction by renowned garden writer Marta McDowell, about A Curious Herbal and the history of herbal medicine
Marta McDowell is a gardener, lecturer, and horticultural writer. Her books include A Curious Herbal: Elizabeth Blackwell's Pioneering Masterpiece of Botanical Art (Abbeville), Gardening Can Be Murder: How Poisonous Poppies, Sinister Shovels, and Grim Gardens Have Inspired Mystery Writers, and Beatrix Potter's Gardening Life, winner of the Gold Award from the Garden Writers Association.
A woman of courage, ingenuity, determination and curiosity,
Elizabeth Blackwell has an extraordinary story that deserves to be
retold. Excellent scholarship by Janet Stiles Tyson and her
discovery of a previously unrecorded manuscript written by
Blackwell, unveil new information about Blackwell's rogue husband
and family lineage. In Georgian-era London, it was nearly
impossible for a woman to make her mark, yet the talented Mrs.
Blackwell garnered the support of many men in learned society and
created a practical and carefully illustrated pharmacopeia. Marta
McDowell's essay provides historical context and firmly places
Blackwell's Curious Herbal in the pantheon of great herbals.
This gorgeous book has the heft of an ancient herbal. It is a
treasure for anyone interested in the healing properties of plants.
Blackwell's precise depictions... are beautifully reproduced. It is
a joy to turn every page.--Susan Fraser, Director Emerita of the
LuEsther T. Mertz Library, New York Botanical Garden
As a wife and mother excluded from the male institutions of
eighteenth-century British botany and medicine, Elizabeth Blackwell
created her Curious Herbal against tremendous odds. In this new
edition, Blackwell's gorgeous plates bloom afresh, while two
engaging essays--by Marta McDowell and Janet Stiles Tyson--vividly
capture the life and times of this brave, talented woman. Almost
three centuries on, this stunning volume does justice to
Blackwell's great achievement in medical botany.--Victoria Johnson,
National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize finalist for American Eden:
David Hosack, Botany, and Medicine in the Garden of the Early
Republic
That Elizabeth Blackwell's A Curious Herbal has been reprinted in
full gives credit to its longevity as a text and set of
illustrations that have stood the test of time, and remain relevant
and worthy of recognition to this day. The [text], so carefully
researched, for the first time provides what feels to be a factual
and fascinating insight into Blackwell's life and the depth of her
endeavor, in a world dominated by men, whilst dispelling some of
the myths and misinformation that surrounded her.--Sue Medway,
Director and Curator of the Chelsea Physic Garden, London
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