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The Herbal or General History of Plants
The 1633 edition revised and enlarged by Thomas Johnson. Containing almost 2,850 plant descriptions and 2,705 superb illustrations, Gerard’s Herbal is a monumental work, the book all modern English herbals are derived from, and the one herbal every serious enthusiast should have in its entirety. Original editions are worth perhaps $750.
1678 pages, Hardcover
First published December 3, 1971
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About the author
John Gerard
8 books1 followerJohn Gerard (also John Gerarde, c. 1545–1612) was an English herbalist with a large garden in London.
Source: Wikipedia
Source: Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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November 10, 2019This is a lovely reference book particularly if you have a bit of a garden and are growing your own plants.
Gerard was an Elizabethan herbalist and gives a description of each plant described, along with notes on when and where they grow and flower, various names and best of all their virtues which details how they can be used.
Because Gerard wrote his book in the late 16th century it includes not only old favourites among plants like foxglove, cucumber (or cowcumber) and oats but also new and exciting plant like Tulips and the potato.
Although taking your medical advice from 16th century herbals probably is not the best idea , "The herb chewed and held in the mouth, bringeth mightily from the braine slimie flegme like Pellitorie of Spain" is closer to my idea of an ideal outcome when suffering from a cold rather than the meek promise of decongestion promised by modern over the counter medicines.
The description of violets is particularly fine: "...yea gardens themselves receive by these the greatest ornament of all, chiefest beauty, and most excellent grace, and the recreation of the minde which is taken hereby cannot be but very good and honest; for they admonish and stirre up a man to that which is comely and honest; for floures through their beauty, variety of colour, and exquisit forme, do bring to a liberall and gentle manly minde, the remembrance of honestie, comlinesse, and all kindes of vertues: for it would be an unseemly and filthy thing (as a wise man saith) for him that doth looke upon and handle faire and beautiful things, to have his mind not faire, but filthy and deformed."
Gerard was an Elizabethan herbalist and gives a description of each plant described, along with notes on when and where they grow and flower, various names and best of all their virtues which details how they can be used.
Because Gerard wrote his book in the late 16th century it includes not only old favourites among plants like foxglove, cucumber (or cowcumber) and oats but also new and exciting plant like Tulips and the potato.
Although taking your medical advice from 16th century herbals probably is not the best idea , "The herb chewed and held in the mouth, bringeth mightily from the braine slimie flegme like Pellitorie of Spain" is closer to my idea of an ideal outcome when suffering from a cold rather than the meek promise of decongestion promised by modern over the counter medicines.
The description of violets is particularly fine: "...yea gardens themselves receive by these the greatest ornament of all, chiefest beauty, and most excellent grace, and the recreation of the minde which is taken hereby cannot be but very good and honest; for they admonish and stirre up a man to that which is comely and honest; for floures through their beauty, variety of colour, and exquisit forme, do bring to a liberall and gentle manly minde, the remembrance of honestie, comlinesse, and all kindes of vertues: for it would be an unseemly and filthy thing (as a wise man saith) for him that doth looke upon and handle faire and beautiful things, to have his mind not faire, but filthy and deformed."
May 22, 2014
I was in high school and totally into gardening, especially herb gardening. (No particular reason, maybe I didn't like bland food? Maybe it was just something different to enjoy?) I decided I needed to have Gerard's herbal so I went to the library.
The librarian said, "So, you're going to the Renaissance Festival dressed up like an - herb??"
"No. . . ."
What's odd is I remember this conversation but couldn't tell you the names of most of the people in my class.
It was an interesting book to look at, though!
The librarian said, "So, you're going to the Renaissance Festival dressed up like an - herb??"
"No. . . ."
What's odd is I remember this conversation but couldn't tell you the names of most of the people in my class.
It was an interesting book to look at, though!
October 15, 2019
This is the 2nd edition of one of the most interesting Herbals. It's so great to see it in print and not have to go to a rare book room to look at it! Really, really wonderful text and illustrations.
November 17, 2017
Lovely research book.
July 29, 2019
I took this with me to Hampton Court when I interviewed their Head Gardener, Dr Terry Gough. No gardener or historian should ever be without their herbal!
July 7, 2017
The Herball or Generall Historie of Plantes
Read for reference and personal research and for period-specific information for writing endeavors.
I am finding this work of immense interest. Overall, this work is also a good resource for the researcher and enthusiast and a wealth of information can be found within. A good foundation for understanding the times and obtaining a point of reference for further study.
I found this book's contents helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs.
Read for reference and personal research and for period-specific information for writing endeavors.
I am finding this work of immense interest. Overall, this work is also a good resource for the researcher and enthusiast and a wealth of information can be found within. A good foundation for understanding the times and obtaining a point of reference for further study.
I found this book's contents helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs.
August 11, 2013
Charming herbal, spectacular when seen in the original - seriously, it's huge and about 2 grand. Anyway, even my repro copy without the gorgeous engravings is worth a read. Lots of folk medicine, but nice little touches like "this plant is growing on the wall beside X's house in Chancery Lane..." and reports on his experimental use of the plants.
March 26, 2023
Just found this book in my downtown art supply store. Here in Saratoga Springs NY. I have an amateur interest in herbs and plant medicine and am loving the book so far. I feel like it’s magic being handed down to me from many generations hence. Amazed at the work and talent and knowledge of people from so many centuries ago. There is healing from the Earth❤️🌱🌞💦
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May 13, 2024actually really fun to look through a renaissance-era plant encyclopedia- i wrote an essay on how he describes plants, so i think it's pretty cool- shout-out to the library of congress bc no way was i getting my hands on the actual book
i like the pictures too :)
i like the pictures too :)
March 5, 2012
This book is referred to in a book I have already read. It is a discussion of plants found in Europe with beautiful line-drawings of plant. Amazing to see what can be done with lines. The uses of the plants for healing properties to which I can not attest, although I know many of the plants. I have seen one other book similar, "Stalking the Wild Asparagus." I would like to rate this book 3 stars. This is quaint and well-drawn.
April 14, 2010
always fresh
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews