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Of People and Plants: The Autobiography of Europe's Most Celebrated Healer
Of People and Plants is a combination of colorful anecdotes from Messeque's life and detailed information about the use of specific plants in treating a wide variety of ailments. Its comprehensive appendices describe Messeque's preparations for the principal chronic diseases and provide recommendations for the seasonal and nutritional use of plants for optimal health. Instructions are also given for growing beneficial herbs and vegetables and for gathering wild medicinal plants. This autobiography, flavored both by Messeque's rich French heritage and by the depth of his knowledge of native plant medicine, will be a fascinating addition to any herbal library.
- GenresHerbsNonfictionBiography
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1970
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 11, 2023
>The autobiography of one of the most famous plant-based healers, otherwise known as phytotherapy. He was a French-born and raised peasant who came from a family line of healers who used the herbs and flowers of the local countryside to heal many ailments. He took this inheritance and did very big things with it treating people such as Winston Churchill and famous actors or kings of the day. He would make concentrated potions that would essentially be poured into a hot tub of water to be used for foot and hand baths. He would also use compresses and creams for other issues. He really treated a very wide array of illnesses and has much insight into what plants can be used for what. It is an enjoyable read and the last few chapters of the book go extensively into nutritional advice which I found enjoyable as a dietitian, though some of his information was dated. A very good book overall, well written and I recommend it to any nutrition or medical nerd out there looking for a relaxing yet insightful read.
February 27, 2021
At ten years old Maurice Mességué inherited his father's mysterious herbal notebook upon his untimely death. Using only plants grown locally in the countryside he became a sensation of controversy healing tens of thousands and even wives of medical doctors who would drag him into court for practicing medicine without a license. Mességué, in order to put to rest the relentless array of lawsuits against him by the medical profession, had to cease his healing work in the public eye and transfer his legacy to you, his readership, the secrets of the healing plants.
May 11, 2019
Only just barely started. Dated. It seems pastoral & peaceful. An interesting guy I met at a bus stop recommended it. We were talking about Natural medicine.
March 5, 2023
Una de las mejores autobiografías que he leído. No es un libro corto pero su lectura se me hizo rápida y me entretuvo de principio a fin. Me gusta la humildad del escritor, lo hace más auténtico y cercano.
August 4, 2011
This autobiography of the famous phytotherapist or "healer" as he termed himself, is one of the most readable books I've encountered for a long time.
Mességué recalls his boyhood years in the Gers, where his nature-loving father taught him everything he knew about plants - the optimal times to pick them, how to prepare them, and last but not least how to use them, and which ones to use, to cure people of their specific infirmities.
From an early age - at school - the boy Maurice himself began to make his own preparations and treat whomever he might come across who needed help in alleviating uncomfortable symptoms.
Eventually, celebrities, heads of states and the whole world flocked to this gifted "healer" to be cured by him. He cured the "incurable" of their plaguing maladies, took no payment from the indigent, and refused to treat those with cancer, MS or other serious, life-threatening symptoms so as not to offer false hope and leave himself open to accusations of fraud. He insisted on recommending that these patients consult their doctors and undergo surgery or seek other traditonal forms of treatment.
Throughout his life Mességué was continually hauled into court on charges of practicing medicine unlawfully, though hundreds of witnesses attested to his "miraculous" cures.
He regales us with innumerable, entertaining tales of his encounters with, and treatment of, both his renowned and enormously wealthy and his impecunious patients.
The book includes an appendix listing the herbs to be used for various diseases, but I lacked a similar list of plants recounting the properties of each one.
It contains valuable knowledge about plants and their curative qualities, but I for one would find it diffcult to implement this knowledge.
But to sum up, this is a knowledgeable, useful and entertaining book.
Mességué recalls his boyhood years in the Gers, where his nature-loving father taught him everything he knew about plants - the optimal times to pick them, how to prepare them, and last but not least how to use them, and which ones to use, to cure people of their specific infirmities.
From an early age - at school - the boy Maurice himself began to make his own preparations and treat whomever he might come across who needed help in alleviating uncomfortable symptoms.
Eventually, celebrities, heads of states and the whole world flocked to this gifted "healer" to be cured by him. He cured the "incurable" of their plaguing maladies, took no payment from the indigent, and refused to treat those with cancer, MS or other serious, life-threatening symptoms so as not to offer false hope and leave himself open to accusations of fraud. He insisted on recommending that these patients consult their doctors and undergo surgery or seek other traditonal forms of treatment.
Throughout his life Mességué was continually hauled into court on charges of practicing medicine unlawfully, though hundreds of witnesses attested to his "miraculous" cures.
He regales us with innumerable, entertaining tales of his encounters with, and treatment of, both his renowned and enormously wealthy and his impecunious patients.
The book includes an appendix listing the herbs to be used for various diseases, but I lacked a similar list of plants recounting the properties of each one.
It contains valuable knowledge about plants and their curative qualities, but I for one would find it diffcult to implement this knowledge.
But to sum up, this is a knowledgeable, useful and entertaining book.
January 7, 2012
This was extremely readable. It is not only an inspiring book about the power of plants for healing but also a wonderfully evocative account of the time and place in which Maurice Mességué grew up and practiced his art and the people (many of them quite famous in their time) whom he treated. I was, however, left wondering if the author was a man with a gift for healing that was simply mediated through plants or whether it was really his meticulous and judicious preparation and use of the plants that accounts for his success. I strongly suspect the former but would encourage the reader to decide for themselves.
February 25, 2014
The autobiography of world renowned French herbalist Maurice Mességué was a delightful read. Check out my full review on BookLikes here!
June 26, 2009
I LOVED this book. It was funny and interesting and a great and accessible intro to herbalism. Even if you're not into herbs it's still an interesting story about a man following his passion.
February 19, 2011
Fascinating autobiography of a French herbalist.
November 20, 2023
Scritto molto bene mi è piaciuto ma verso la fine diventa un po’ ripetitivo
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews