The Herbalist's Bible: John Parkinson's Lost Classic Rediscovered

by Julie Bruton-Seal, Matthew Seal

A lost classic of Western herbalism—rediscovered and restored with 200 full-color images.

Herbalist to King Charles I, John Parkinson (1567–1650) was a master apothecary, herbalist, and gardener. Famous in his own lifetime for his influential books, his magnum opus, the Theatrum Botanicum, was published in 1640 and ran to 1,766 large pages. The sheer scope and size was perhaps to prove the book’s downfall, because while it was much revered—and plagiarized—it was never reprinted and, centuries later, has attained the status of an extremely rare and valuable book. Parkinson was writing at a time when Western herbalism was at its zenith, and his skills as a gardener (from his grounds in Covent Garden) combined perfectly with his passion for science, observation, and historical scholarship.

In the The Herbalist’s Bible, Julie Bruton-Seal and Matthew Seal have beautifully combined selections from Parkinson’s book with their own modern commentary on how each plant is used today to create a truly one-of-a-kind, comprehensive collection of herbal information old and new. Parkinson’s clear and lively description of a chosen plant’s “vertues” or healing properties side-by-side with the editors’ notes—including copious herbal recipes—make this the perfect book for students and practitioners of herbalism, historians, and gardeners, all of whom will welcome this restoration of Parkinson’s lost classic.

Genres: Nonfiction, Gardening, Herbs, Plants, Reference, Health, Medicine

256 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2014

Reviews

[Emma Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Parkinson was a 17th Century herbalist at a time when a lot of new information about the medicinal properties of plants was being collected and written about.

Although I would have preferred just a copy of John Parkinson's the 'translations & interpretations' provided by the authors are rather helpful.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great reference of herbal lore - I love the historical information and reference and the link to modern herbalism

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is in part a biographical sketch of an herbalist/apocethary/doctor who was famous during his own life which spanned the reigns of Elizabeth I, James I, and Charles I but has largely been forgotten. A large part of the book is given to slightly modernized reprinting of chapters of Parkinson's massive work considered to be one of the last efforts to create a comprehensive encyclopedia of medicinal herbs. Fascinating in both its parts.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Herbalist's Bible: John Parkinson's Lost Classic―82 Herbs and Their Medicinal Uses (Paperback)
by Julie Bruton-Seal
Interesting with the original old English text and m9dern translations. It has some suggestions for herb usage but many are outdated or euro centered with some remarkable inconsistency. Like the nutritional information on corn or maze. Because of the Europeans not using nitrification and making corn more digestible.

[Sandra L. Place · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good resource and interesting history of the early herbalist, Hohn Parkinson. He added an incredible amount of information to the work early pharmacists and physicians. The book is beautiful to look at and for each plant reviewed Mr. Parkinson's writing is on the opposite page to the authors.

[Jurene · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is very cool to see the side by side of the original information and the updated scientific proven information. 1640! They knew their stuff.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cool book. I don't think I've come across a more comprehensive medicinal plant guide. Five stars!