Healing Threads: Traditional Medicines of the Highlands and Islands

by Mary Beith

The Gaelic pharmacy was a rich one, the sources of which lay almost entirely in nature and were subject to the minimum of preparation. Much of the rich store of material comes from the great legacy of medieval Gaelic manuscripts. In more recent times, papers of medical societies have shown how traditional methods and cures are still of value to modern medicine. In addition to a general historical background, which traces the story of Highland folk tradition from earliest times, Mary Beith also describes a whole variety of traditional remedies, cures and practices, from the healing properties of stone and metal, animals and insects, to rituals, charms and incantations. Her book also includes a list of the most commonly used herbs. Clearly written with extensive source notes, Healing Threads is a unique introduction to a subject that has fascinated generation after generation. This is a reprint from Birlinn of the Polygon edition.

Genres: Nonfiction, Scotland, Folklore, Nature, Health

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written, inspirational account of the integrated nature of the Gaelic world...

[Lari Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for research not fun, but I really enjoyed it. It's full of fascinating information about the history of healing and medicine in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, and I was really surprised at how much more than old wives tales and herbal remedies. There were medical families, trained in continential universities, and a definite and distinct healing philosophy. So, I got the research info I wanted from this book, but also an unexpected insight into the history of intellectual thought and old clan structures, as well as the effect of politics and geography on health care. There is a lot of herbal lore here too, and I have to admit I gave up on the long list in the final 50 pages of different plants and their uses. But it’s a well written, well researched and often surprising book. Not just for the herbalist!

[Dave McBain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for research, but could easily have been a fun read - it walks that line between serious research and the right anecdotes to be both informative and entertaining.

Beith takes an odd approach which feels like a timeline, but also a thematic walk through history of folk medicine in the Highlands - she is not afraid in later chapters to drop in a piece of evidence which goes back hundreds of years where appropriate to do so. I suspect it would have been a juggling act to write with segments moving between chapters to form the intricate and beautiful weave that has resulted.

The end is decidedly out of kilter with the rest of the book, but rightly not an appendice where a multitude of plants are listed along with their medicinal uses - it lacks the flow, but does beautifully pull the rest of the book together.

[Margaret Pinard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful read as well as resource to keep for reference, for hedgewitches and historical fiction writers 😍 I appreciated the writer’s deft tone, respectful treatment of the subject.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book which I read for a uni module.

[Patricia Woodruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book rich in folklore. I found it very interesting both the history and the remedies.

[CoraH · Rating 5 out of 5]

For people really into botany and folk culture, this book is an absolute gem. Packed with reseach and information on Scottish folk medicine, I enjoyed this reading a lot and also learnt so much. Sometimes felt I was transported into the Highlands and the Scottish islands while reading about the rich traditions of healing in Scotland. A must-have for any botany nerd, plant lovers or herbology students.

[Guido · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent overview of the history of healing in the Highlands & Islands. Learned a few more facts about the history of the area generally - full marks.