The Physick Garden: Ancient Cures for Modern Maladies (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780711266339)

**Shortlisted for the V&A Illustration Awards 2024**

The intriguing tales of the plants that have been used to heal and cure our bodies, brought to life with beautifully surreal illustrations from Alice Smith.

Since the dawn of time, people have used plants as remedies, to both positive and deadly effect. These herbal treatments have become enshrined in folklore, in old wives' tales and in the curious names we have given local species. Many have also found their way into modern medicine cabinets - but not always in the form you would expect.

This book imagines a physick garden of healing plants that have been used across the globe by different generations. But were Italian Renaissance women dicing with death when they dropped belladonna in their eyes? Can comfrey really be used to heal broken bones? And can St John's Wort scare away more than bad spirits?

Taking you around the body, from the brain to the bowels, The Physick Garden introduces 80 plants with curious medicinal pasts. With striking illustrations and lively tales, this book will show thatsometimes there is method in the madness.

Author: Alice Smith
ISBN-10: 0711266336
ISBN-13: 9780711266339
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Language: English
Published: 04/26/2022
Pages: 176
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.14lbs
Size: 8.20h x 6.29w x 0.94d