Description

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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.

About the Author

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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.