These wonderful full-page watercolor illustrations are from a 16th-century edition of Pedanius Dioscorides’s work on herbal medicine, De Materia Medica. Dioscorides (ca. 40–90 AD), a Greek physician and botanist, is considered to be the father of pharmacology, with this five-volume book hailed as the forerunner of modern pharmacopoeias (books that record medicines along with their effects and directions for their use). His book was translated from the original Greek to Latin, Arabic, and Spanish, and continued to be in use with additions and commentaries written by various authors, one of them being the 16th-century Italian doctor Pietro Andrea Mattioli (1501–1577). Describing one hundred new plants not included by Dioscorides, Mattioli’s expansion of the book first appeared in Italian and was later translated into Latin, French, Czech, and German. These illustrations, found in Mattioli’s version of the book, are dated between 1564–1584 and are the creation of the Italian artist and botanist Gherardo Cibo (1512–1600).
The images, in which the plants take centre stage before a landscaped backdrop, seem to bear an uncanny resemblance to the images found in Robert Thornton’s “Temple of Flora”.
Crocus sativus, commonly known as saffron crocus, or autumn crocus, is a species of flowering plant of the Crocus genus in the iris family Iridaceae. It is best known for producing the spice saffron from the filaments that grow inside the flower. The stigmas are also used to make medicine. Saffron is used for asthma, cough, whooping cough (pertussis), and to loosen phlegm (as an expectorant).
Origanum, Oregano may help fight bacteria, relieve inflammation, and regulate blood sugar. People around the Mediterranean region have used oregano for centuries in herbal medicine to treat many ailments, including skins sores. aching muscles.
Fumaria, Fumaria has been traditionally used as a laxative and diuretic, and as a treatment for dermatologic conditions such as eczema.
Viola odorata, Violet Leaf is very pain relieving. It can be used for all muscular and joint problems where pain relief and detoxification is required. Violet Leaf oil can be used for coughs, colds, bronchitis, and sore throats. It helps to break down mucous and eases pain.
Olea europaea, Olea europaea is used traditionally as diuretic, hypotensive, emollient, laxative, febrifuge, skin cleanser, cholagogue, and also used for the treatment of urinary infections, gallstones, bronchial asthma, and diarrhea.
Callystegia soldanella, antiscorbutic, diuretic, febrifuge, irritant, purgative and vermifuge.
Iris, the fresh root possesses diuretic, emetic and cathartic properties. If given in large doses, it will occasion nausea, vomiting, purging, and colic. The drug was formerly employed in the treatment of bronchitis and chronic diarrhea and was considered a useful remedy in dropsy
Phyllitis hemionitis, Hartstongue is a fern. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. People take hartstongue to treat digestive disorders and urinary tract diseases.
Gladiolus Italicus, corms ground to a fine meal to treat dysentery, diarrhea and stomach upsets
Mercurialis annua [ annual mercury], the whole plant, and especially the juice, is emetic, emollient, and purgative. It is used externally to treat women’s complaints, ear, and eye problems, warts, and sores. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism, dropsy, diarrhea, and disorders of the gall bladder and liver
Plantago maior, the leaves of Plantago major are used almost worldwide as a diuretic and astringent, and to treat wounds, insect stings, sunburn, skin diseases, eye irritation and inflammation of mouth and throat. In modern phytotherapy, they are used to alleviate irritation in catarrh of the upper respiratory tract.
Abronia arenaria and Solidago virga-aurea, in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries it was used in Europe to heal wounds. It has astringent, diuretic, antiseptic, and other properties.
Daphnoides, the fresh bark of all members of this genus contain salicin, which probably decomposes into salicylic acid (closely related to aspirin) in the human body. This is used as an anodyne and febrifuge.
Galanthus and Ipheion, in the US, it is largely used as a memory improvement supplement for sufferers of Alzheimer’s disease and mild dementia. There are further possible medicinal uses for the snowdrop. … Lectin from snowdrops – Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA) – is being studied with regard to its potential activity against HIV.
Asplenium scolopendrium, the fronds are astringent, cholagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, vulnerary. Externally it is used as an ointment in the treatment of piles, burns, and scalds. … The fronds are harvested during the summer and can be dried for later use.
Asarum europaeum, the plant has emetic, diuretic, laxative, emmenagogue, stimulant, sudorific and tonic properties. It is administered in the form of herbal tea for the treatment of bronchitis, pneumonia, whooping cough, diarrhea, sciatica, and headaches.
Helleboris viridis, the root is anthelmintic, cardiac, cathartic, diuretic, emetic, emmenagogue, irritant, violently narcotic, and a drastic purgative. The dried root is used, it contains the alkaloids nervine, pseudo-nervine and veratridine. It is best to harvest the root in autumn.
Euphrasia officinalis, Euphrasia eye drops. Eyebright (botanical name: Euphrasia officinalis) has been used since time immemorial for treating eye complaints. Used in eye drops, Euphrasia treats and calms stressed and tired eyes. Eyebright, or Euphrasia, has been used for centuries for treating eyes.
Paeonia mascula, the root is antispasmodic and tonic. A tea made from the dried crushed petals of various peony species has been used as a cough remedy, and as a treatment for hemorrhoids and varicose veins.
Polygonatum also is known as Solomon’s seal, polygonatum is a perennial herb that belongs to the lily family. … It is also an excellent tonic herb. Historically, it has been used for respiratory and lung disorders, and to reduce inflammation.
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