Sunday, March 15, 2020

Book Review - Plants That Cure - Princeton University Press

     When I first started to work, there was an old fellow in the office close to retirement, and I developed a particularly good relationship with him. He was noteworthy for his love of cigars (yes, back then you could smoke them in the office), and for a large aloe plant he had on his credenza. It seemed that if you had an ailment of any kind, from a cut to a headache, he would pare a little from the plant and apply it appropriately. He had absolute faith in the curative properties of aloe, and that was my introduction to medicinal plants.
     In the intervening years I have learned quite a bit more about the irreplaceable value plants provide for humans and I find Plants That Cure to be a sterling compendium of all that is relevant.



     The authors bring impressive credentials to the work. Elizabeth A. Dauncey is a plant toxicologist, and Melanie-Jayne R. Howes is a pharmacist and chartered chemist, who leads research in phytochemistry and pharmacognosy at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; surely one of the most vaunted institutions of plant science in all the world.
     The book contains an extensive coverage of the natural history of plants, and their relevance to specific human conditions, and their role in furnishing medicines that provide cures. There is a good deal of oral knowledge associated with the curative value of plants, not all of which should be dismissed - and knowledge gleaned from indigenous peoples, especially in rain forests around the world, has been proven accurate time and again. This work pays homage to this tradition, but detailed knowledge based on sound science is provided too.
     It is instructive, perhaps, to review the chapter titles to appreciate the scope of the work.


Chapter 1 - The Botanical Medicine Chest
Chapter 2 - Strong at Heart
Chapter 3 - Calming the Nerves
Chapter 4 - In Sickness and in Health
Chapter 5 - Supporting the Organs and Glands
Chapter 6 - Coughs and Sneezes
Chapter 7 - Easing Movement
Chapter 8 - Healthy on the Outside
Chapter 9 - Influencing the Reproductive System
Chapter 10 - Fighting Cancer

      A glossary is provided and the book is illustrated throughout with a wonderful array of artwork and photographs. The entire layout and visual presentation makes it a joy to use, and the text is highly informative.
     Fires in the rain forests of the world, both anthropogenic and as a consequence of a warming planet are a cause for great concern. There is consensus among scientists that we have barely scratched the surface of the riches of these great forests, and that a great deal is yet undiscovered. We would be prudent indeed to safeguard and protect these ecosystems, not only for their current and future medicinal uses, but they are also the very lungs of the planet.
      The book is not intended as a tool of self diagnosis, rather it acts as a means to further your understanding of the derivation of many of the medicines you may be taking. If you are sick, go to see your doctor, but benefit also from a more encompassing knowledge of what it is helping you to stay well.
     This book will both delight and inform. You will come back to it time and again.

Plants That Cure: Plants as a Source for Medicines, from Pharmaceuticals to Herbal Remedies
Elizabeth A. Dauncey and Melanie-Jayne R. Howes
Hardcover - US$29.95 - 9780691200187 - 224 pages - 250 colour photos, 45 colour and 50 black-and-white illustration - 8.5 in. x 11 in.
Publication date: 03 March 2020

David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

43 comments:

  1. Hari OM
    Definitely one for my library - ta for the review! YAM xx

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  2. Wonderful book David!I think we all should take a look at it :))

    I belive in healing plants..Every day I eat one or two boats of garlic!And c vitamins like two Oranges or plants that do contain c vitamins..you know the c vitamin do like this..It makes Your body a little bit sour that bacterias and other pest Things wont or have difficult to settle in Your body.Garlic as well it is antibiotic:))I do not mind if a smell garlic hahah

    Yes i strongly belive in Herbs plants.Good book review!

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  3. Thank you. I may have to weaken/break my resolve and add this one to our groaning bookshelves.
    I am endlessly fascinated by just how many 'old wives tales' have a solid grounding in fact.
    And mourn for the loss of plants just as I do for the birds and animals.

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  4. This sounds very interesting. Plants have been used in herbal remedies for centuries. I like to use them whenever possible. Thanks for sharing your review. Valerie

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  5. I like the sound of this book - it is a well known that many of our medicines are now derived from plants and trees - you only have to think of Digitalis, Feverfew, Calendula, and Yew etc. We loose plants in the rain forests at our peril.
    I am particular fond of flowers anyway, and this sounds right up my street. I have looked on Amazon, and it will be available in the UK at the beginning of April, but with a different cover to yours.

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  6. Querido amigo hoy nos muestras un libro realmente interesante, me gustan estos libros e intentaré leer este. En estos días de confinamiento un libro es un buena terapia. Muchas gracias y un abrazo para ti y para Miriam.

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  7. J'ai un petit livre sur les plantes à trouver dans la nature, comestible ou médicinale, c'est toujours utile.
    Bonne soirée

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  8. I think it’s very interesting to read about everything that nature provides for us.

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  9. Buenas noches amigo David, este debe de ser un gran libro que todos deberíamos leer. Al fin y al cabo toda o casi toda medicación que tomamos de una u otra forma viene dada gracias a la inmensa mayoría de plantas que alberga la naturaleza.
    Recuerdo de chiquillo, los pastores de ganado se conocían la gran mayoría de plantas silvestres de prados y montañas y sus beneficios, creo que nunca o casi nunca iban al médico, ellos, se hacían sus propias recetas dependiendo del dolor o malestar que tuvieran y también ayudaban a mucha gente con su extensa botica.
    Este es el segundo día de claustro en casa, está toda España en estado de alerta y no se puede salir a la calle nada más que en caso de necesidad, todos los establecimientos excepto alimentación permanecen cerrados así hasta dentro de 15 días ampliables a otros 15, está también colaborando los tres ejércitos, protección civil, policía nacional, guardia civil, policía local etc. Los establecimientos de sanidad privada se han puesto a las órdenes de la sanidad pública. Esperemos que esto pase cuanto antes amigo mío.
    Un fuerte abrazo querido amigo y compadre.

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  10. I believe in herbal remedies.
    This book is definitely worth buying and having at home.
    Many thanks for the above review.

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  11. Heel interessant
    Groet Kees.

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  12. My grandmother knew a lot of plants that she used to cure different types of diseases. Unfortunately, nobody in the family learned from her the importance of medicinal plants.
    Have a nice week and Keep well
    Hugs from Portugal

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  13. Great review, David. It's a book that we need for home.

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  14. This is a book I would enjoy having around. We have a similar one that I refer to from time to time. Nature is amazing and I think with the ease of modern medicine many people have forgotten they can turn to plants for assistance. We bought 2 itty bitty aloe plants on clearance for $0.25 over a year ago. They are now large, beautiful house plants with the bonus of its healing insides if we ever need it!

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  15. Sounds very interesting. Many herbs are useful in fighting disease. As a matter of fact, I just got an email from the company that I buy a lot of herb plants from listing their plants that are supposedly helpful in boosting the immune system as a way of fighting off viruses. My immune system needs all the help it can get!

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  16. When I was a young mother, there always was an aloe plant on hand.

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  17. I have a friend who's seriously interested in herbal remedies and the power of various plants. This will make a perfect Christmas gift for her. I'm not terribly inclined toward herbal remedies, but with exceptions. Aloe for burns is a good one, and cherry juice is great for arthritis. I wouldn't have believed it, but a regimen of the stuff actually reduced the size of my thumb joints and eliminated the pain. It's one of the best natural anti-inflammatories.

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  18. I first discovered the healing power of plants when I learned that a syrup made of violet flowers (Viola odorata) helped my son's whooping cough a lot more than the script from our expensive doctor.
    Many drugs have their origins in plants, but I still prefer to use the actual plant whenever I can.

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  19. Interesting book to read David,

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  20. It looks like a very interesting book, David. I have many books who are similar. I have one big Aloe vera in my home, and I use it very often.

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  21. Övervägande delen av våra mediciner har sitt ursprung i naturen, jag misstänker att det inte är en allmän kunskap. Dock har jag alltid varit misstänksam mot all marknadsföring som icke kunniga personer sprider och där ingår även konspirationsteorier.
    Jag är öppen för naturens läkande krafter men vill att det skall baseras på vetenskap och beprövad sanning.

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  22. Hello,
    in this moment we need to exploit the calming effect of plants...we are getting all so anxious.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  23. Wonderful book, David!
    Thank you for your review!

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  24. Hello, this book would be nice to have in the home. It is great to know which plants are the healing or the medicine plants. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Stay well, safe, calm and happy! You have some wonderful book recommendations on your blog. Thanks for linking up! Stay well! Enjoy your day, wishing you a great new week!

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  25. Such an interesting and important topic! Our native berries, for example, have properties that are not known and used enough. Judging by its cover... the book looks very beautiful too. :)
    Thank you for your comment. Especially some decades ago, I used to be really proud of the stamps issued in Finland. The ones in the photo are like those of the good old days. :)

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  26. Before synthetics, there were natural methods to try and heal ailments. If there ever was a time to stay home and read a book, this would be it! It may not cure a disease but it could prevent it.

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  27. Hello David,
    thanl you very much for this wonderful recommendation.
    Have a great Spring time.
    Best regards, Synnöve

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  28. This interests me very much. I will be looking for it. Thanks for the suggestion.

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  29. A very interesting book.
    Many plants have healing powers.

    Hugs and greetings:)

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  30. This book looks both beautiful and useful. I've always believed if you know how to use them, there is much to be gained from plants and floral essences. I think I'd learn a lot from this one.

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  31. This looks like an interesting read, I think more people should look towards plants to help.

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  32. The books sounds informative and up-to-date. I was thinking this morning I needed to renew my acquaintance with medicinal plants.

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  33. I have 2 or 3 books about plants that can be used as medicine, one of them which must be over 20 years old. My Mom has always been a great believer in the power of certain plants to help us and I suppose I learned with her. I also use aloe for cuts and itching.

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  34. Hello David, also this book seems very interesting to me. Love flowers and plants in the wild and so essential for insects etc. Thank you for the information and your review of this book.
    Stay healthy,
    Regards,
    Roos

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  35. My sort of book, it sound very interesting. Wonder if you can download it? Will have a look.

    We have to print off a form from the internet each time we want to go to the supermarket to be filled in for each trip to show to police. I am wondering what the older people are supposed to do, many even at our age here do not have a computer or a printer!!!! Literally, the only places open are bank, chemist, hospital and supermarkets at limited times. They are talking about 12 weeks!!!!

    Stay safe Diane

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  36. Now, I like the sound of this book, an interesting read.

    All the best Jan

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  37. Me parece un libro muy interesante que me encantaría tenerlo. Abrazos.

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  38. Hi David - sounds amazing ... I'd love to have a look at it ... in fact I'd love to own one ... what a delight to know about - lucky you having one in your home to peruse at times.

    Love the story of your 'old boy' with his cigar and his aloe plant at the ready ... those knowledgeable people were just lovely ... cheers Hilary

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  39. I have a dear friend who has been convinced of the power of plants to heal for all of her 90 years. This has just gone on my list as a Christmas gift for her -- assuming, of course, that we all make it until Christmas! Thanks for the great review.

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Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that the land on which we are situated are the lands traditionally used by the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Neutral People. We also acknowledge the enduring presence and deep traditional knowledge, laws, and philosophies of the Indigenous Peoples with whom we share this land today. We are all treaty people with a responsibility to honour all our relations.

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