Themes

Themes Page:

Historical Medical Botany
Many themes in these articles have their roots in the Chelsea Physic Garden (the historic apothecaries' garden of London) but extend to Pennsylanvia, Uppsala and Nuremberg:

George Herbert (1693-1733)

Metaphysical poet and scholar. The concept and application of medicinal plants feature significantly George Herbert's work and life.

John Keats

John Keats medical botany training was a rich source of imagery in his poetry and writings.

'Linnaeus in the Fields'

Linnaeus' early career as a physician is not widely known, at least outside Sweden.

'Curious Herbal; Curious Tales' - Elizabeth Blackwell

Elizabeth Blackwell’s illustrations of medicinal plants are remarkable in their own right, but the story behind their production is as dramatic as it gets in the history of botanical illustration.

John Bartram of Philadephia

'America's first botanist' produced the first medicinal text on native plants.

'Reading Classics' - John Sibthorp

His life's work was to study the flora of Greece following the writings of the venerated ancient Greek physician Dioscorides.

'Sacks & the City' - Nuremberg

London and Nuremberg were the twin centres of botanical publishing in 18th century Europe.

Cultures and Nations Page

From Haida to China ...

Ethnobotany

Ethnobotany - the study of the use of plants by peoples - appears a modern activity. But it was a pursuit of historical botanists searching for effective treatments for disease.

Linnaeus in the Fields

Linnaeus' early career as a physician is not widely known, at least outside Sweden. Among the studies of his own country was the collection of traditional medicines of the people, a pursuit he recommended to young physicians.

'Reading Classics' - John Sibthorp

His life's work was to study the flora of Greece travelling the country and talking to people, following the writings of the ancient Greek physician Dioscorides.

West Side Story - the Haida First Nation, Canada.

Some thought provoking issues on the collection of ethnobotanical material from First Nation peoples in British Columbia.

The Silk/Spice Route

This is not a central theme to any article but makes an appearance in several:

'Heath and Fortune' - China past & present

Gareth Evans experienced China's ancient and sophisticated medicinal traditions first hand, as did extraordinary 19th century plant-hunter Robert Fortune in his own time.