A Modern Herbal (Volume 1, A-H): The Medicinal, Culinary, Cosmetic and Economic Properties, Cultivation and Folk-Lore of Herbs, Grasses, Fungi, Shrubs & Trees with Their Modern Scientific Uses

by Margaret Grieve

If you're wondering how Golden Rod, Ragwort, and Devil's Bit got their names, how Dandelion can be used to treat liver disorders, or how Horseradish staves off scurvy, look no further than A Modern Herbal. This modern reboot of the medieval herbal improves upon its predecessors with meticulously researched scientific support and pages of recorded folklore about each entry. Encyclopedic in coverage, A Modern Herbal covers every herb, grass, shrub, fungus, and tree you can think of, from to Abscess Root to Zedoary.

Building on the traditional herbal, which combines folklore about the plants, their medicinal properties, anatomies, and botanical classification, Mrs. Greive has compiled a one-of-a-kind encyclopedia of more than 800 varieties of plants. The entries are neatly and thoroughly filled with seemingly boundless amounts of information on cultivation methods, chemical constituents, dosages, preparations of extracts, tinctures, and foods, as well as cosmetic properties, and beautiful, detailed illustrations. Also included are hundreds of recipes for lotions, ointments, sauces, wines, vinegars, brandies, and prescriptions for tonics and liniments to combat just about any ailment.

"There is not one page of this enchanting book which does not contain something to interest the common reader as well as the serious student...regarded simply as a history of flowers, it adds to the joys of the country." - B.E. Todd, Spectator

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Herbs, Health, Gardening, Plants, History

510 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1931

About the author

Sophia Emma Magdalene Grieve, a.k.a. Maud, was the Principal and Founder of The Whins Medicinal and Commercial Herb School and Farm at Chalfont St. Peter in Buckinghamshire, England. She is perhaps best known today for her 1931 book, A Modern Herbal.

Reviews

[Tameeka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very extensive reference of herbs...not ALL herbs but this book was published in 1931. I looked up echinacea and it was about a quarter of a page. I believe if this book was published today there would be more to it.

[Autumn Kearney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another source for accuracy has double-checked the description of the herbs and their uses. So, it is well-researched and well-written. The downside of this book is that it lacks illustrations for every plant, and those that are here are in black and white. This book desperately needs an update.

[Stephany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can be used as an historical snapshot of the era it was published but her historical references are often incorrect.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a classic reference. Technically, a lot of the information is outdated, but it's great for the historical perspective of the use of many herbs.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to find both this and volume 2 for a very cheap price at a used bookstore. The price was more than worth it. Discusses the medicinal, culinary, cosmetic and economic properties of a large variety of herbs, beginning with aconite and ending in the H's. The materia medicas have been broken into 2 parts, but the full index is available in both versions. Strangely enough, above the index on each page it doesn't say list of plants, but lists of plates. If anyone could explain this to me, I'd appreciate it.

Overall a very worthy reference aide. Not the one I turn to the most but one I do use quite a bit. Information is not spared on herbs, and each gets at least a page, with tiny text. Sometimes an old poem or piece from an ancient Materia Medica is given as a treat, such as with Culpeper and Gerard. There really aren't many recipes and formulas in these books but the ones given can be useful. For instance, apple butter, Almond butter, Almond milk etc ( much is written on almonds )

I especially enjoyed all the folklore details included here, very nice in rich history. Diagrams adorn many pages, in black and white, all helping the old feel appeal.

A great choice for reference materials, now considered classics

[Redsteve · Rating 3 out of 5]

A modern re-print (unabridged) of the first half of a book on herbs and other plants originally published in 1931. A bit of science (botany, medicine, toxicology and agriculture), a little folklore, a little history, a even few recipes. Interesting, but not something that you'd sit down and read cover-to-cover. On the other hand, after the inevitable zombie apocolypse and after all of the drug stores have been looted this book should really come in handy.

[Eric Berntson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amust have for the serious herbalist or health nut.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

where all good witches start

[Danyell · Rating 3 out of 5]

very helpful in the home, for cooking, spell-craft and medicinal purposes. I've also used it to help plan wedding floral arrangments

[Will]

good with spagyrics and Making PLant Medicines

[Spider Goddess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will definitely be on the hunt for volume two of this set. It has history, lore, medicinal, scientific, etc. Love it!!

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Go-to for my entire life.

[k · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume one and two are required reading and resources in my herbal library. So many plants (and books). Isn't it awe-inspiringly wonderful?!

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this online here

[Sébastien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. Includes trees and its uses for the wood.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many entries, but most of them seemed archaic. Seemed to be focused on one particular school of herbalism (I didn't see many chinese herbals for example). Also didn't have much useful information and the information that was there was written for more advanced practioners