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The Psychedelic Garden: A history of mind-altering plants in folklore, superstition and popular culture
The ancient Aztecs, the cannabis-smoking farmers of Neolithic China and the Woodstock hippies. Psychoactive plants have been used by different cultures for thousands of years for everything from shamanic rituals to staying awake.
From the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Sandra Lawrence, Psychedelics is a fascinating exploration of the mind-altering plants that for centuries have helped shape the way we see the world. Packed with expert text and stunning botanical illustrations from the Kew archive, this book delves into the folklore, cultural relevance and botanical background of remarkable plants that have long been leveraged to hallucinogenic effect.
From the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Sandra Lawrence, Psychedelics is a fascinating exploration of the mind-altering plants that for centuries have helped shape the way we see the world. Packed with expert text and stunning botanical illustrations from the Kew archive, this book delves into the folklore, cultural relevance and botanical background of remarkable plants that have long been leveraged to hallucinogenic effect.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published July 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 29, 2025
The history and folklore of mind-altering plants!
Crikey! This is quite a read.
Before I get on to the contents, however, I must once again praise the physical properties of The Psychedelic Garden. As with other books in the Kew series that I’ve read, this one has all the high quality properties I’ve come to expect, making it a wonderful gift book. Beautifully illustrated with everything from film posters through superb images from the Kew library to even a Jimi Hendrix poster, there’s so much to delight the eye. The hard back cover is weighty and robust with lovely end papers too.
This isn’t a gardening book about cultivation, but rather a journey into all the elements of mind-altering plants to the extent that it seems to have the same effect as some of the plants featured. Quite a lot of the information is mind-blowing – you might be very surprised at the effect of the kava plant stalk but you’ll need to read the book for yourself to discover why!
One of the aspects I especially appreciated is the reference to literature. Sandra Lawrence’s introduction begins with a mention of Aldous Huxley and there are literary examples and instances throughout from Frank Baum to Shakespeare, so that those who prefer fiction to non-fiction will find relevance here. Indeed, to quote from the Tea section, ‘it’s the stories that count’.
It’s quite hard to review The Psychedelic Garden without simply regurgitating some of the fascinating facts and details contained within its pages, but this book takes the reader on all kinds of journeys. From its pages you’ll discover the effects of plants, information about history, geography and culture for example. You’ll find out where words originated and learn far more than might be imagined. I absolutely abhor cigarettes and one of the facts I enjoyed the most was discovering that in 1604 James VI and I wrote an anti-smoking treatise called ‘A Counterblaste to Tobacco’.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Psychedelic Garden. It’s the kind of book that tells you all kinds of interesting and entertaining things you never even imagined or knew you wanted to know. It’s part of an excellent series and I think its my favourite so far.
Crikey! This is quite a read.
Before I get on to the contents, however, I must once again praise the physical properties of The Psychedelic Garden. As with other books in the Kew series that I’ve read, this one has all the high quality properties I’ve come to expect, making it a wonderful gift book. Beautifully illustrated with everything from film posters through superb images from the Kew library to even a Jimi Hendrix poster, there’s so much to delight the eye. The hard back cover is weighty and robust with lovely end papers too.
This isn’t a gardening book about cultivation, but rather a journey into all the elements of mind-altering plants to the extent that it seems to have the same effect as some of the plants featured. Quite a lot of the information is mind-blowing – you might be very surprised at the effect of the kava plant stalk but you’ll need to read the book for yourself to discover why!
One of the aspects I especially appreciated is the reference to literature. Sandra Lawrence’s introduction begins with a mention of Aldous Huxley and there are literary examples and instances throughout from Frank Baum to Shakespeare, so that those who prefer fiction to non-fiction will find relevance here. Indeed, to quote from the Tea section, ‘it’s the stories that count’.
It’s quite hard to review The Psychedelic Garden without simply regurgitating some of the fascinating facts and details contained within its pages, but this book takes the reader on all kinds of journeys. From its pages you’ll discover the effects of plants, information about history, geography and culture for example. You’ll find out where words originated and learn far more than might be imagined. I absolutely abhor cigarettes and one of the facts I enjoyed the most was discovering that in 1604 James VI and I wrote an anti-smoking treatise called ‘A Counterblaste to Tobacco’.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Psychedelic Garden. It’s the kind of book that tells you all kinds of interesting and entertaining things you never even imagined or knew you wanted to know. It’s part of an excellent series and I think its my favourite so far.
October 30, 2025
2.7 ☆ Very interesting book, but it gives very little information about way too many plants. Would have been better to divide it into multiple parts as to guarantee enough depth. Many of these plants, namely the hallucinatory ones, have the same side effects (like vomiting, nausea) so sometimes it feels like you're reading the same thing multiple times. I love that the writer included substances like alcohol, sugar and coffee though, since they often don't get seen as drugs or mind-altering substances.
Overall, it was a great introduction to psychedelic and mind-altering plants. Recommended if you don't want to deepdive in this subject or, as I already said, as an introduction for further reading. :)
Overall, it was a great introduction to psychedelic and mind-altering plants. Recommended if you don't want to deepdive in this subject or, as I already said, as an introduction for further reading. :)
December 25, 2025
A Christmas gift for my delta green character.
The idea that hops have no psychotropic effects! Like maybe I am hypersensitive but they defo are. Also I got to page 115 and no psychedelic plants had yet been discussed. Pretty tho.
The idea that hops have no psychotropic effects! Like maybe I am hypersensitive but they defo are. Also I got to page 115 and no psychedelic plants had yet been discussed. Pretty tho.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews