materia medica

Illustrated guide to over 550 plants used in herbal medicine, discussing each plant's history, traditions, and folklore as well as what is known from scientific research about its active constituents, key actions, and potential new uses. Includes an overview of the history of herbal medicine and features on herbal medicine in countries throughout the world.

Profiles more than 550 medicinal plants, providing color photos and details on their habitats, cultivation, related species, key constituents and actions, research, and traditional and current uses; discusses herbal medicine's history and its practice around the world; and includes recipes for several home remedies.

Describes different medical technologies used in the ancient world for plastic surgery, bonesetting, and eye surgery. Includes information on medical textbooks written in ancient times and herbal remedies discovered by early medical specialists.