Andrea here, musing today about medicine. It’s a subject much on our collective minds right now as we hope the best and brightest scientific minds around the world will soon come up with safe and effective vaccine to combat the deadly COVID virus. So, as we all could use some cheery thoughts, I’m talking today about one of the bright spots in medical history here in America during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
We’ve made such inroads in combating diseases that once devastated populations, so I think we tend to forget how frightening and deadly so many forces of Nature—germs, microbes, bacteria, viruses—were in the past. As the Age of Enlightenment encouraged scientific inquiry and empirical observation, a new breed of physicians were beginning to look past the traditional ideas on illness—many of them left over from the ancient Greek philosophers—in order to understand how better to treat maladies.
I first met David Hosack in American Eden—David Hosack, Botany, and Medicine in the Garden of the Early Republic, Victoria Johnson’s marvelous book on America’s first botanic garden. Born in New York City in 1769, David Hosack was the son of a well-to-do merchant from Elgin, Scotland and his wife. He was educated at Columbia College, where he became fascinated with the study of medicine. He finished his studies at the College of New Jersey (now known as Princeton) and then went on to study medicine in Philadelphia, where he wrote his doctoral thesis on cholera. In 1791, he married and started a private practice in Virginia, but then returned to New York City a year later.
Convinced that the best physicians had all studied in Europe, he cajoled his father into paying for further medical studies in Britain. It’s there that Hosack discovered his lifelong passion for medical botany and its ability to cure many of the ills that plagued the world. His studies at the University of Edinburgh introduced him to the well-known botanic garden in the city. But it was when he moved on to London and engaged to study with William Curtis, who ran the Brompton Botanic Garden, that he was inspired to dream of bringing medical botany to America.
Curtis was the perfect teacher for Hosack. While many continental botanists were loath to embrace the new plant classification system designed by Carl Linnaeus as part of his new Systema Naturae, Curtis quickly adopted it and made it popular in Britain. He recognized that it revolutionized the field of medical botany in two basic ways. Traditionally, plants all had local names, so when botanists from different regions or countries tried to share their knowledge about healing properties of plants, it was impossible to communicate!
Secondly, the idea of classifications like ‘species’ and ‘genus’ allowed botanists to recognize plants with similar characteristics and explore their medicinal possibilities in an orderly, scientific way.
Curtis also collected field specimens and made up individual cards with an example of dried plant and its medicinal characteristics. This he used as teaching aids to educate students, who then could go home and use that knowledge for healing. He also propagated specimen medicinal plantings at his Brompton Garden and sent them around the world to other botanical gardens. The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew was also a leader in disseminating this type of knowledge on an even greater scale. Merchant ships arriving in London from exotic ports of call would often bring specimens for the Royal Collections, which in turn would share them with other scientific establishments.
Flush with excitement over all he had learned in Britain, Hosack returned home to New York City determined to establish the first botanic garden—and promote the concept of medical botany—in America. It was, to say the least, a labor of love. He spent a fortune of his own funds in hiring young men to help him scour the countryside around the city, collecting both plants he recognized from Britain and new American species. (Some of his original collection cards are at the New York Botanical Society.)
He was well-connected in New York society, and worked to get state government to help fund the project. While he did eventually get some monetary help, he shouldered most of the cost for buying a tract of wild land several miles outside the city, and worked alongside hired hands in doing the manual labor to bring his dream to fruition.
The Elgin Botanic Garden—named for his father’s hometown in Scotland, was a milestone in American medical history, and inspired a new generation of physicians to explore the country's treasure trove of plants for healing medicines. Much knowledge was gained from Native Americans and incorporated into what the men like Hosack were discovering on their own. Plant field guides proliferated, and new plant-based medicines were discovered through scientific study.
By 1810, Hosack was busy with his private practice, many philanthropical projects and scientific societies, and so decided he couldn’t continue to keep the garden going on his own. He negotiated its sale to the state of New York—at a great financial loss— and the state passed it on to Columbia College in 1814. Alas, the college let it go to seed, and the magnificent garden eventually disappeared. The land itself was ended up being leased to John D. Rockefeller, who in the 1920s built Rockefeller Center on Hosack’s original garden. (Today there is a small plaque on one of the benches acknowledging its place in history.)
As a footnote to this, I was so impressed with Hosack after reading Johnson's book that I was determined to work him into one of my Wrexford & Sloane historical mysteries (I figured he and Wrexford, being men of science, would like each other very much!) So, though it's not coming until next September, my next book in the series features Hosack in a cameo role, as he and an American scientific delegation have come to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew for an international symposium . . . only to have one of scholars succumb to a suspicious death . . .
I find Hosack and his passion to create a botanic garden to heal people to be such a feel-good story. I love plant-based medicines—ginger for nausea, witch hazel for skin astringent, arnica salve for bruises, coconut oil for moisturizing skin. And I love botanics for aromatherapy, like lavender and cinnamon essential oils. How about you? Do you grow any botanics for home remedies? Do you have any favorite plant-based potions or concoctions for health and beauty?
Great post! Thank you. I love meeting all these people who did fascinating things in the past. And I look forward to meeting Mr. Hosack next September.
I generally try to avoid medicines as much as possible *grin* but I do enjoy lemon ginger tea, even when I’m not feeling queasy. And I love the scent of lavender.
Great post! Thank you. I love meeting all these people who did fascinating things in the past. And I look forward to meeting Mr. Hosack next September.
I generally try to avoid medicines as much as possible *grin* but I do enjoy lemon ginger tea, even when I’m not feeling queasy. And I love the scent of lavender.
Great post! Thank you. I love meeting all these people who did fascinating things in the past. And I look forward to meeting Mr. Hosack next September.
I generally try to avoid medicines as much as possible *grin* but I do enjoy lemon ginger tea, even when I’m not feeling queasy. And I love the scent of lavender.
Great post! Thank you. I love meeting all these people who did fascinating things in the past. And I look forward to meeting Mr. Hosack next September.
I generally try to avoid medicines as much as possible *grin* but I do enjoy lemon ginger tea, even when I’m not feeling queasy. And I love the scent of lavender.
Great post! Thank you. I love meeting all these people who did fascinating things in the past. And I look forward to meeting Mr. Hosack next September.
I generally try to avoid medicines as much as possible *grin* but I do enjoy lemon ginger tea, even when I’m not feeling queasy. And I love the scent of lavender.
Wonderful story and sad that The Elgin Botanic Garden no longer exists. Growing up in New York City, I would have loved to visit it.
I am fascinated by botanic medicine and I feel that there is still so much to learn, or relearn, about the beneficial nature of plants. It seems science is ignoring these. Too bad.
Wonderful story and sad that The Elgin Botanic Garden no longer exists. Growing up in New York City, I would have loved to visit it.
I am fascinated by botanic medicine and I feel that there is still so much to learn, or relearn, about the beneficial nature of plants. It seems science is ignoring these. Too bad.
Wonderful story and sad that The Elgin Botanic Garden no longer exists. Growing up in New York City, I would have loved to visit it.
I am fascinated by botanic medicine and I feel that there is still so much to learn, or relearn, about the beneficial nature of plants. It seems science is ignoring these. Too bad.
Wonderful story and sad that The Elgin Botanic Garden no longer exists. Growing up in New York City, I would have loved to visit it.
I am fascinated by botanic medicine and I feel that there is still so much to learn, or relearn, about the beneficial nature of plants. It seems science is ignoring these. Too bad.
Wonderful story and sad that The Elgin Botanic Garden no longer exists. Growing up in New York City, I would have loved to visit it.
I am fascinated by botanic medicine and I feel that there is still so much to learn, or relearn, about the beneficial nature of plants. It seems science is ignoring these. Too bad.
I have to read this book! One of my interests is medical history and I have been interested in natural remedies for a long time. I’m also a fan of Arnica for bruising, strained muscles, and relieving aches and pains. It was used mainly as a liniment for horses until their riders began to notice their hands weren’t as painful after they had rubbed it into their mounts muscles. Since it is compounded into a strong formulation for horses, it was cut to half strength for human use. I do have other plants I like to keep around the house such as aloe for burns, fresh ginger to grate into chicken broth to help with a cold, and lavender for stress relief. I like to grow some of my plants as they attract bees.
I have to read this book! One of my interests is medical history and I have been interested in natural remedies for a long time. I’m also a fan of Arnica for bruising, strained muscles, and relieving aches and pains. It was used mainly as a liniment for horses until their riders began to notice their hands weren’t as painful after they had rubbed it into their mounts muscles. Since it is compounded into a strong formulation for horses, it was cut to half strength for human use. I do have other plants I like to keep around the house such as aloe for burns, fresh ginger to grate into chicken broth to help with a cold, and lavender for stress relief. I like to grow some of my plants as they attract bees.
I have to read this book! One of my interests is medical history and I have been interested in natural remedies for a long time. I’m also a fan of Arnica for bruising, strained muscles, and relieving aches and pains. It was used mainly as a liniment for horses until their riders began to notice their hands weren’t as painful after they had rubbed it into their mounts muscles. Since it is compounded into a strong formulation for horses, it was cut to half strength for human use. I do have other plants I like to keep around the house such as aloe for burns, fresh ginger to grate into chicken broth to help with a cold, and lavender for stress relief. I like to grow some of my plants as they attract bees.
I have to read this book! One of my interests is medical history and I have been interested in natural remedies for a long time. I’m also a fan of Arnica for bruising, strained muscles, and relieving aches and pains. It was used mainly as a liniment for horses until their riders began to notice their hands weren’t as painful after they had rubbed it into their mounts muscles. Since it is compounded into a strong formulation for horses, it was cut to half strength for human use. I do have other plants I like to keep around the house such as aloe for burns, fresh ginger to grate into chicken broth to help with a cold, and lavender for stress relief. I like to grow some of my plants as they attract bees.
I have to read this book! One of my interests is medical history and I have been interested in natural remedies for a long time. I’m also a fan of Arnica for bruising, strained muscles, and relieving aches and pains. It was used mainly as a liniment for horses until their riders began to notice their hands weren’t as painful after they had rubbed it into their mounts muscles. Since it is compounded into a strong formulation for horses, it was cut to half strength for human use. I do have other plants I like to keep around the house such as aloe for burns, fresh ginger to grate into chicken broth to help with a cold, and lavender for stress relief. I like to grow some of my plants as they attract bees.
I like ginger hor nausea, aloe for burns, and lavender for stress relief. I put ginger in my chili to prevent gas!
I like ginger hor nausea, aloe for burns, and lavender for stress relief. I put ginger in my chili to prevent gas!
I like ginger hor nausea, aloe for burns, and lavender for stress relief. I put ginger in my chili to prevent gas!
I like ginger hor nausea, aloe for burns, and lavender for stress relief. I put ginger in my chili to prevent gas!
I like ginger hor nausea, aloe for burns, and lavender for stress relief. I put ginger in my chili to prevent gas!
Glad you enjoyed the post, Lil. I’m a big fan of lemon-ginger herb tea, too, especially as he colder months roll in. And essential oils in a diffuser make the longer evenings cozier.
Glad you enjoyed the post, Lil. I’m a big fan of lemon-ginger herb tea, too, especially as he colder months roll in. And essential oils in a diffuser make the longer evenings cozier.
Glad you enjoyed the post, Lil. I’m a big fan of lemon-ginger herb tea, too, especially as he colder months roll in. And essential oils in a diffuser make the longer evenings cozier.
Glad you enjoyed the post, Lil. I’m a big fan of lemon-ginger herb tea, too, especially as he colder months roll in. And essential oils in a diffuser make the longer evenings cozier.
Glad you enjoyed the post, Lil. I’m a big fan of lemon-ginger herb tea, too, especially as he colder months roll in. And essential oils in a diffuser make the longer evenings cozier.
Yes, Alison,it’s a real shame the Elgin Botanic Garden disappeared. But the NY Botanical Garden is wonderful, so the s city did keep up the tradition of appreciating the importance of plant life in so many ways.
And I so agree with you about the plant-based medicine and what wonderful cures are probably out there waiting to be discovered. Willow bark was the precursor to aspirin . . . so many ills have herbal remedies.
Yes, Alison,it’s a real shame the Elgin Botanic Garden disappeared. But the NY Botanical Garden is wonderful, so the s city did keep up the tradition of appreciating the importance of plant life in so many ways.
And I so agree with you about the plant-based medicine and what wonderful cures are probably out there waiting to be discovered. Willow bark was the precursor to aspirin . . . so many ills have herbal remedies.
Yes, Alison,it’s a real shame the Elgin Botanic Garden disappeared. But the NY Botanical Garden is wonderful, so the s city did keep up the tradition of appreciating the importance of plant life in so many ways.
And I so agree with you about the plant-based medicine and what wonderful cures are probably out there waiting to be discovered. Willow bark was the precursor to aspirin . . . so many ills have herbal remedies.
Yes, Alison,it’s a real shame the Elgin Botanic Garden disappeared. But the NY Botanical Garden is wonderful, so the s city did keep up the tradition of appreciating the importance of plant life in so many ways.
And I so agree with you about the plant-based medicine and what wonderful cures are probably out there waiting to be discovered. Willow bark was the precursor to aspirin . . . so many ills have herbal remedies.
Yes, Alison,it’s a real shame the Elgin Botanic Garden disappeared. But the NY Botanical Garden is wonderful, so the s city did keep up the tradition of appreciating the importance of plant life in so many ways.
And I so agree with you about the plant-based medicine and what wonderful cures are probably out there waiting to be discovered. Willow bark was the precursor to aspirin . . . so many ills have herbal remedies.
Pamela, if you like medical hostory, you would love Johnson’s book. I highly recommend it!
I love arnica for bruising and aches. And always have ginger in the kitchen to make tissanes and add healthy spice to other dishes.
I love that you grow plants to attract bees.
Pamela, if you like medical hostory, you would love Johnson’s book. I highly recommend it!
I love arnica for bruising and aches. And always have ginger in the kitchen to make tissanes and add healthy spice to other dishes.
I love that you grow plants to attract bees.
Pamela, if you like medical hostory, you would love Johnson’s book. I highly recommend it!
I love arnica for bruising and aches. And always have ginger in the kitchen to make tissanes and add healthy spice to other dishes.
I love that you grow plants to attract bees.
Pamela, if you like medical hostory, you would love Johnson’s book. I highly recommend it!
I love arnica for bruising and aches. And always have ginger in the kitchen to make tissanes and add healthy spice to other dishes.
I love that you grow plants to attract bees.
Pamela, if you like medical hostory, you would love Johnson’s book. I highly recommend it!
I love arnica for bruising and aches. And always have ginger in the kitchen to make tissanes and add healthy spice to other dishes.
I love that you grow plants to attract bees.
Another ginger fan! I love the scent of lavender, too, Yvonne. And aloe is great for soothing burns (and sunburn!) There are so many wonderful botanics and herbs.
Another ginger fan! I love the scent of lavender, too, Yvonne. And aloe is great for soothing burns (and sunburn!) There are so many wonderful botanics and herbs.
Another ginger fan! I love the scent of lavender, too, Yvonne. And aloe is great for soothing burns (and sunburn!) There are so many wonderful botanics and herbs.
Another ginger fan! I love the scent of lavender, too, Yvonne. And aloe is great for soothing burns (and sunburn!) There are so many wonderful botanics and herbs.
Another ginger fan! I love the scent of lavender, too, Yvonne. And aloe is great for soothing burns (and sunburn!) There are so many wonderful botanics and herbs.
Comfrey ointment is good for small scrapes, cuts, etc. Also sometimes for bee stings/bug bites.
I read a Dick Francis book (which I can’t remember the title of now) where one of the characters was a doctor/pharmacist who was also into holistic healing. The main character gets badly beaten and she prescribed arnica for healing along with other things.
Definitely arnica cream. In the last few months I’ve used it on my injured ankle and on my shoulder after my shingles shot. Cause that shingles shot causes a world of hurt for a week.
You can also use ginger for heartburn. I buy chewable ginger tablets and when I get heartburn…chew 2 and it really knocks it out.
Comfrey ointment is good for small scrapes, cuts, etc. Also sometimes for bee stings/bug bites.
I read a Dick Francis book (which I can’t remember the title of now) where one of the characters was a doctor/pharmacist who was also into holistic healing. The main character gets badly beaten and she prescribed arnica for healing along with other things.
Definitely arnica cream. In the last few months I’ve used it on my injured ankle and on my shoulder after my shingles shot. Cause that shingles shot causes a world of hurt for a week.
You can also use ginger for heartburn. I buy chewable ginger tablets and when I get heartburn…chew 2 and it really knocks it out.
Comfrey ointment is good for small scrapes, cuts, etc. Also sometimes for bee stings/bug bites.
I read a Dick Francis book (which I can’t remember the title of now) where one of the characters was a doctor/pharmacist who was also into holistic healing. The main character gets badly beaten and she prescribed arnica for healing along with other things.
Definitely arnica cream. In the last few months I’ve used it on my injured ankle and on my shoulder after my shingles shot. Cause that shingles shot causes a world of hurt for a week.
You can also use ginger for heartburn. I buy chewable ginger tablets and when I get heartburn…chew 2 and it really knocks it out.
Comfrey ointment is good for small scrapes, cuts, etc. Also sometimes for bee stings/bug bites.
I read a Dick Francis book (which I can’t remember the title of now) where one of the characters was a doctor/pharmacist who was also into holistic healing. The main character gets badly beaten and she prescribed arnica for healing along with other things.
Definitely arnica cream. In the last few months I’ve used it on my injured ankle and on my shoulder after my shingles shot. Cause that shingles shot causes a world of hurt for a week.
You can also use ginger for heartburn. I buy chewable ginger tablets and when I get heartburn…chew 2 and it really knocks it out.
Comfrey ointment is good for small scrapes, cuts, etc. Also sometimes for bee stings/bug bites.
I read a Dick Francis book (which I can’t remember the title of now) where one of the characters was a doctor/pharmacist who was also into holistic healing. The main character gets badly beaten and she prescribed arnica for healing along with other things.
Definitely arnica cream. In the last few months I’ve used it on my injured ankle and on my shoulder after my shingles shot. Cause that shingles shot causes a world of hurt for a week.
You can also use ginger for heartburn. I buy chewable ginger tablets and when I get heartburn…chew 2 and it really knocks it out.
Thank you for a fascinating post, Andrea! I remember my mother sucking on a clove when she had a toothache. I’ll likely think of another remedy as soon as I click post.
Thank you for a fascinating post, Andrea! I remember my mother sucking on a clove when she had a toothache. I’ll likely think of another remedy as soon as I click post.
Thank you for a fascinating post, Andrea! I remember my mother sucking on a clove when she had a toothache. I’ll likely think of another remedy as soon as I click post.
Thank you for a fascinating post, Andrea! I remember my mother sucking on a clove when she had a toothache. I’ll likely think of another remedy as soon as I click post.
Thank you for a fascinating post, Andrea! I remember my mother sucking on a clove when she had a toothache. I’ll likely think of another remedy as soon as I click post.
Thanks, Vicki—I wasn’t aware of comfrey ointment. Sound like a great one to have in the first-aid drawer.
Ginger is such a good plant for stomach/nausea relief. I’m not surprised it helps heartburn.
And arnica cream is a staple in my medicine cabinet. It really is good for muscle soreness and stiffness, and helps heal bruising.
Thanks, Vicki—I wasn’t aware of comfrey ointment. Sound like a great one to have in the first-aid drawer.
Ginger is such a good plant for stomach/nausea relief. I’m not surprised it helps heartburn.
And arnica cream is a staple in my medicine cabinet. It really is good for muscle soreness and stiffness, and helps heal bruising.
Thanks, Vicki—I wasn’t aware of comfrey ointment. Sound like a great one to have in the first-aid drawer.
Ginger is such a good plant for stomach/nausea relief. I’m not surprised it helps heartburn.
And arnica cream is a staple in my medicine cabinet. It really is good for muscle soreness and stiffness, and helps heal bruising.
Thanks, Vicki—I wasn’t aware of comfrey ointment. Sound like a great one to have in the first-aid drawer.
Ginger is such a good plant for stomach/nausea relief. I’m not surprised it helps heartburn.
And arnica cream is a staple in my medicine cabinet. It really is good for muscle soreness and stiffness, and helps heal bruising.
Thanks, Vicki—I wasn’t aware of comfrey ointment. Sound like a great one to have in the first-aid drawer.
Ginger is such a good plant for stomach/nausea relief. I’m not surprised it helps heartburn.
And arnica cream is a staple in my medicine cabinet. It really is good for muscle soreness and stiffness, and helps heal bruising.
Glad you enjoyed it, Kareni. Yes, cloves oil is good for toothaches. There’s a creepy scene in the classic Dustin Hoffman thriller Marathon Man, where he’s tortured by a Nazi dentist drilling all his teeth-—then the villain gives him some clove oil for relief of the pain!(Acck!)
Glad you enjoyed it, Kareni. Yes, cloves oil is good for toothaches. There’s a creepy scene in the classic Dustin Hoffman thriller Marathon Man, where he’s tortured by a Nazi dentist drilling all his teeth-—then the villain gives him some clove oil for relief of the pain!(Acck!)
Glad you enjoyed it, Kareni. Yes, cloves oil is good for toothaches. There’s a creepy scene in the classic Dustin Hoffman thriller Marathon Man, where he’s tortured by a Nazi dentist drilling all his teeth-—then the villain gives him some clove oil for relief of the pain!(Acck!)
Glad you enjoyed it, Kareni. Yes, cloves oil is good for toothaches. There’s a creepy scene in the classic Dustin Hoffman thriller Marathon Man, where he’s tortured by a Nazi dentist drilling all his teeth-—then the villain gives him some clove oil for relief of the pain!(Acck!)
Glad you enjoyed it, Kareni. Yes, cloves oil is good for toothaches. There’s a creepy scene in the classic Dustin Hoffman thriller Marathon Man, where he’s tortured by a Nazi dentist drilling all his teeth-—then the villain gives him some clove oil for relief of the pain!(Acck!)
Interesting post, Andrea. What a shame that wonderful garden was lost. I have visited the Chelsea Physic Garden in London and found it fascinating. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea_Physic_Garden
As for plant-based treatments, we’re discovering all kinds of uses for Australian native plants — learning from the ancient knowledge of the Aborigines, and also scientists experimenting. I use Eucalypts oil for many different purposes, though most people only know it for helping clear congested breathing with colds and ‘flu. Tea-tree oil, too is a great antiseptic. And honey made by bees feeding from native tea-tree flowers is a wonderful healer for wounds as well as other things. NZers call it Manuka honey.
Interesting post, Andrea. What a shame that wonderful garden was lost. I have visited the Chelsea Physic Garden in London and found it fascinating. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea_Physic_Garden
As for plant-based treatments, we’re discovering all kinds of uses for Australian native plants — learning from the ancient knowledge of the Aborigines, and also scientists experimenting. I use Eucalypts oil for many different purposes, though most people only know it for helping clear congested breathing with colds and ‘flu. Tea-tree oil, too is a great antiseptic. And honey made by bees feeding from native tea-tree flowers is a wonderful healer for wounds as well as other things. NZers call it Manuka honey.
Interesting post, Andrea. What a shame that wonderful garden was lost. I have visited the Chelsea Physic Garden in London and found it fascinating. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea_Physic_Garden
As for plant-based treatments, we’re discovering all kinds of uses for Australian native plants — learning from the ancient knowledge of the Aborigines, and also scientists experimenting. I use Eucalypts oil for many different purposes, though most people only know it for helping clear congested breathing with colds and ‘flu. Tea-tree oil, too is a great antiseptic. And honey made by bees feeding from native tea-tree flowers is a wonderful healer for wounds as well as other things. NZers call it Manuka honey.
Interesting post, Andrea. What a shame that wonderful garden was lost. I have visited the Chelsea Physic Garden in London and found it fascinating. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea_Physic_Garden
As for plant-based treatments, we’re discovering all kinds of uses for Australian native plants — learning from the ancient knowledge of the Aborigines, and also scientists experimenting. I use Eucalypts oil for many different purposes, though most people only know it for helping clear congested breathing with colds and ‘flu. Tea-tree oil, too is a great antiseptic. And honey made by bees feeding from native tea-tree flowers is a wonderful healer for wounds as well as other things. NZers call it Manuka honey.
Interesting post, Andrea. What a shame that wonderful garden was lost. I have visited the Chelsea Physic Garden in London and found it fascinating. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea_Physic_Garden
As for plant-based treatments, we’re discovering all kinds of uses for Australian native plants — learning from the ancient knowledge of the Aborigines, and also scientists experimenting. I use Eucalypts oil for many different purposes, though most people only know it for helping clear congested breathing with colds and ‘flu. Tea-tree oil, too is a great antiseptic. And honey made by bees feeding from native tea-tree flowers is a wonderful healer for wounds as well as other things. NZers call it Manuka honey.
So glad you enjoyed it, Anne. It’s amazing to look at Rockefeller Center and think of Hosack’s garden there. Sigh. Hosack actually spent time at the Chelsea Physic Garden and learned a lot there. I haven’t been, but plan to visit on my next trip to London. (Oh, how I long to be able to travel again!)
There are so many wonderful native plants in every part of the world. I have some tea tree oil, which is a good antiseptic. And eucalyptus oil for clearing congestion. I’ve heard manuka honey is so healthful! All those natural remedies are SO much nicer than chemicals!
So glad you enjoyed it, Anne. It’s amazing to look at Rockefeller Center and think of Hosack’s garden there. Sigh. Hosack actually spent time at the Chelsea Physic Garden and learned a lot there. I haven’t been, but plan to visit on my next trip to London. (Oh, how I long to be able to travel again!)
There are so many wonderful native plants in every part of the world. I have some tea tree oil, which is a good antiseptic. And eucalyptus oil for clearing congestion. I’ve heard manuka honey is so healthful! All those natural remedies are SO much nicer than chemicals!
So glad you enjoyed it, Anne. It’s amazing to look at Rockefeller Center and think of Hosack’s garden there. Sigh. Hosack actually spent time at the Chelsea Physic Garden and learned a lot there. I haven’t been, but plan to visit on my next trip to London. (Oh, how I long to be able to travel again!)
There are so many wonderful native plants in every part of the world. I have some tea tree oil, which is a good antiseptic. And eucalyptus oil for clearing congestion. I’ve heard manuka honey is so healthful! All those natural remedies are SO much nicer than chemicals!
So glad you enjoyed it, Anne. It’s amazing to look at Rockefeller Center and think of Hosack’s garden there. Sigh. Hosack actually spent time at the Chelsea Physic Garden and learned a lot there. I haven’t been, but plan to visit on my next trip to London. (Oh, how I long to be able to travel again!)
There are so many wonderful native plants in every part of the world. I have some tea tree oil, which is a good antiseptic. And eucalyptus oil for clearing congestion. I’ve heard manuka honey is so healthful! All those natural remedies are SO much nicer than chemicals!
So glad you enjoyed it, Anne. It’s amazing to look at Rockefeller Center and think of Hosack’s garden there. Sigh. Hosack actually spent time at the Chelsea Physic Garden and learned a lot there. I haven’t been, but plan to visit on my next trip to London. (Oh, how I long to be able to travel again!)
There are so many wonderful native plants in every part of the world. I have some tea tree oil, which is a good antiseptic. And eucalyptus oil for clearing congestion. I’ve heard manuka honey is so healthful! All those natural remedies are SO much nicer than chemicals!
We have a great botanical garden in St. Louis, where I grew up. I haven’t been there is years, so I don’t know what it features these days, but in the past the St. Louis Botanical Garden (familiarly known as Shaw’s Garden) did concentrate on healing plantts, among other interests.
And yes, I too use plants as healing aids. I had forgotten the use of ginger for nausea, so thanks to all of you who reminded me of this.
We have a great botanical garden in St. Louis, where I grew up. I haven’t been there is years, so I don’t know what it features these days, but in the past the St. Louis Botanical Garden (familiarly known as Shaw’s Garden) did concentrate on healing plantts, among other interests.
And yes, I too use plants as healing aids. I had forgotten the use of ginger for nausea, so thanks to all of you who reminded me of this.
We have a great botanical garden in St. Louis, where I grew up. I haven’t been there is years, so I don’t know what it features these days, but in the past the St. Louis Botanical Garden (familiarly known as Shaw’s Garden) did concentrate on healing plantts, among other interests.
And yes, I too use plants as healing aids. I had forgotten the use of ginger for nausea, so thanks to all of you who reminded me of this.
We have a great botanical garden in St. Louis, where I grew up. I haven’t been there is years, so I don’t know what it features these days, but in the past the St. Louis Botanical Garden (familiarly known as Shaw’s Garden) did concentrate on healing plantts, among other interests.
And yes, I too use plants as healing aids. I had forgotten the use of ginger for nausea, so thanks to all of you who reminded me of this.
We have a great botanical garden in St. Louis, where I grew up. I haven’t been there is years, so I don’t know what it features these days, but in the past the St. Louis Botanical Garden (familiarly known as Shaw’s Garden) did concentrate on healing plantts, among other interests.
And yes, I too use plants as healing aids. I had forgotten the use of ginger for nausea, so thanks to all of you who reminded me of this.
I do enjoy my herbal teas, including a mixture of thyme, fennel seeds and ginger for coughs.
I have seen the Manuka honey that Anne is talking about, but it’s super expensive in the States!
I do enjoy my herbal teas, including a mixture of thyme, fennel seeds and ginger for coughs.
I have seen the Manuka honey that Anne is talking about, but it’s super expensive in the States!
I do enjoy my herbal teas, including a mixture of thyme, fennel seeds and ginger for coughs.
I have seen the Manuka honey that Anne is talking about, but it’s super expensive in the States!
I do enjoy my herbal teas, including a mixture of thyme, fennel seeds and ginger for coughs.
I have seen the Manuka honey that Anne is talking about, but it’s super expensive in the States!
I do enjoy my herbal teas, including a mixture of thyme, fennel seeds and ginger for coughs.
I have seen the Manuka honey that Anne is talking about, but it’s super expensive in the States!
Thanks for this terrific post.
I like the idea that present day experts are standing on knowledge gathered in the past.
Aren’t we fortunate that there were so many people who looked at the status quo and knew there were better things in the future?
I love herbal teas. And I am a fan of trying holistic methods.
I hope everyone is taking care and staying well.
Thanks for this terrific post.
I like the idea that present day experts are standing on knowledge gathered in the past.
Aren’t we fortunate that there were so many people who looked at the status quo and knew there were better things in the future?
I love herbal teas. And I am a fan of trying holistic methods.
I hope everyone is taking care and staying well.
Thanks for this terrific post.
I like the idea that present day experts are standing on knowledge gathered in the past.
Aren’t we fortunate that there were so many people who looked at the status quo and knew there were better things in the future?
I love herbal teas. And I am a fan of trying holistic methods.
I hope everyone is taking care and staying well.
Thanks for this terrific post.
I like the idea that present day experts are standing on knowledge gathered in the past.
Aren’t we fortunate that there were so many people who looked at the status quo and knew there were better things in the future?
I love herbal teas. And I am a fan of trying holistic methods.
I hope everyone is taking care and staying well.
Thanks for this terrific post.
I like the idea that present day experts are standing on knowledge gathered in the past.
Aren’t we fortunate that there were so many people who looked at the status quo and knew there were better things in the future?
I love herbal teas. And I am a fan of trying holistic methods.
I hope everyone is taking care and staying well.
Sue, that sounds like a wonderful garden. And the fact that it’s called Shaw’s Garden suggests it might have originally been founded by an individual . . .perhaps inspired by Hosack! (I’d like to think so!)
Ginger is one of my favorite herbals. It’s warming as a tea on a cold winter evening, and very good for an upset stomach.
Sue, that sounds like a wonderful garden. And the fact that it’s called Shaw’s Garden suggests it might have originally been founded by an individual . . .perhaps inspired by Hosack! (I’d like to think so!)
Ginger is one of my favorite herbals. It’s warming as a tea on a cold winter evening, and very good for an upset stomach.
Sue, that sounds like a wonderful garden. And the fact that it’s called Shaw’s Garden suggests it might have originally been founded by an individual . . .perhaps inspired by Hosack! (I’d like to think so!)
Ginger is one of my favorite herbals. It’s warming as a tea on a cold winter evening, and very good for an upset stomach.
Sue, that sounds like a wonderful garden. And the fact that it’s called Shaw’s Garden suggests it might have originally been founded by an individual . . .perhaps inspired by Hosack! (I’d like to think so!)
Ginger is one of my favorite herbals. It’s warming as a tea on a cold winter evening, and very good for an upset stomach.
Sue, that sounds like a wonderful garden. And the fact that it’s called Shaw’s Garden suggests it might have originally been founded by an individual . . .perhaps inspired by Hosack! (I’d like to think so!)
Ginger is one of my favorite herbals. It’s warming as a tea on a cold winter evening, and very good for an upset stomach.
Karin, your cough mixture sounds wonderful! Must try making that next time I have a cough.
Yes, manuka honey is expensive in the States. Trader Joe’s has a small jar at the (relatively) good price—or they used to!
Karin, your cough mixture sounds wonderful! Must try making that next time I have a cough.
Yes, manuka honey is expensive in the States. Trader Joe’s has a small jar at the (relatively) good price—or they used to!
Karin, your cough mixture sounds wonderful! Must try making that next time I have a cough.
Yes, manuka honey is expensive in the States. Trader Joe’s has a small jar at the (relatively) good price—or they used to!
Karin, your cough mixture sounds wonderful! Must try making that next time I have a cough.
Yes, manuka honey is expensive in the States. Trader Joe’s has a small jar at the (relatively) good price—or they used to!
Karin, your cough mixture sounds wonderful! Must try making that next time I have a cough.
Yes, manuka honey is expensive in the States. Trader Joe’s has a small jar at the (relatively) good price—or they used to!
So glad you enjoyed the post, Annette. I love that botanic medicine has stood the test of time, and that so any of us are enjoying the fruits of tireless research and collecting done by medical men like Hosack.
Stay well, everyone!
So glad you enjoyed the post, Annette. I love that botanic medicine has stood the test of time, and that so any of us are enjoying the fruits of tireless research and collecting done by medical men like Hosack.
Stay well, everyone!
So glad you enjoyed the post, Annette. I love that botanic medicine has stood the test of time, and that so any of us are enjoying the fruits of tireless research and collecting done by medical men like Hosack.
Stay well, everyone!
So glad you enjoyed the post, Annette. I love that botanic medicine has stood the test of time, and that so any of us are enjoying the fruits of tireless research and collecting done by medical men like Hosack.
Stay well, everyone!
So glad you enjoyed the post, Annette. I love that botanic medicine has stood the test of time, and that so any of us are enjoying the fruits of tireless research and collecting done by medical men like Hosack.
Stay well, everyone!
Loved this post and the comments as well.
As a child in the tropics we had some unique infections or conditions that the natives would cure with various plants. I lived in a European cluster among the natives and medicine was difficult to obtain. (1950’s) There was one plant that helped a possible fungal infection (which I have yet to find in any of the medical textbooks.) As a 6 year old I was good at locating it and digging it up. The root was needed and it had a unique odor. If one of us were infected with this my mother would ask me to go to the woods near the school to find some.
Sad that his garden could not be kept up. I walked that area of NYC many times when living there. I never knew about this Botanic garden which is now all built up and paved over.
Loved this post and the comments as well.
As a child in the tropics we had some unique infections or conditions that the natives would cure with various plants. I lived in a European cluster among the natives and medicine was difficult to obtain. (1950’s) There was one plant that helped a possible fungal infection (which I have yet to find in any of the medical textbooks.) As a 6 year old I was good at locating it and digging it up. The root was needed and it had a unique odor. If one of us were infected with this my mother would ask me to go to the woods near the school to find some.
Sad that his garden could not be kept up. I walked that area of NYC many times when living there. I never knew about this Botanic garden which is now all built up and paved over.
Loved this post and the comments as well.
As a child in the tropics we had some unique infections or conditions that the natives would cure with various plants. I lived in a European cluster among the natives and medicine was difficult to obtain. (1950’s) There was one plant that helped a possible fungal infection (which I have yet to find in any of the medical textbooks.) As a 6 year old I was good at locating it and digging it up. The root was needed and it had a unique odor. If one of us were infected with this my mother would ask me to go to the woods near the school to find some.
Sad that his garden could not be kept up. I walked that area of NYC many times when living there. I never knew about this Botanic garden which is now all built up and paved over.
Loved this post and the comments as well.
As a child in the tropics we had some unique infections or conditions that the natives would cure with various plants. I lived in a European cluster among the natives and medicine was difficult to obtain. (1950’s) There was one plant that helped a possible fungal infection (which I have yet to find in any of the medical textbooks.) As a 6 year old I was good at locating it and digging it up. The root was needed and it had a unique odor. If one of us were infected with this my mother would ask me to go to the woods near the school to find some.
Sad that his garden could not be kept up. I walked that area of NYC many times when living there. I never knew about this Botanic garden which is now all built up and paved over.
Loved this post and the comments as well.
As a child in the tropics we had some unique infections or conditions that the natives would cure with various plants. I lived in a European cluster among the natives and medicine was difficult to obtain. (1950’s) There was one plant that helped a possible fungal infection (which I have yet to find in any of the medical textbooks.) As a 6 year old I was good at locating it and digging it up. The root was needed and it had a unique odor. If one of us were infected with this my mother would ask me to go to the woods near the school to find some.
Sad that his garden could not be kept up. I walked that area of NYC many times when living there. I never knew about this Botanic garden which is now all built up and paved over.
That sounds like a movie that I will avoid; to me it sounds like a horror movie.
That sounds like a movie that I will avoid; to me it sounds like a horror movie.
That sounds like a movie that I will avoid; to me it sounds like a horror movie.
That sounds like a movie that I will avoid; to me it sounds like a horror movie.
That sounds like a movie that I will avoid; to me it sounds like a horror movie.
Yes, it was one of those REALLY scary political thrillers! You wouldn’t get me to watch it again.
Yes, it was one of those REALLY scary political thrillers! You wouldn’t get me to watch it again.
Yes, it was one of those REALLY scary political thrillers! You wouldn’t get me to watch it again.
Yes, it was one of those REALLY scary political thrillers! You wouldn’t get me to watch it again.
Yes, it was one of those REALLY scary political thrillers! You wouldn’t get me to watch it again.
Fascinating post Andrea. I frequently visit gardens open to the public here in the UK and there is often a herb garden tucked away in some corner.I have some comfrey in my garden, but mainly for the beautiful spring flowers so loved by pollinators. As well as the medicinal properties, it may be worth noting that plants can also help to heal the mind. Near my home there is a plant center specifically available for mental patients to work with plants. Also when stressed I will often tend to the plants in my garden even if it is just weeding, and rapidly feel the benefit. I found Sue Stuart-Smith’s book ‘The well Gardened Mind’ quite interesting from this point of view.
Fascinating post Andrea. I frequently visit gardens open to the public here in the UK and there is often a herb garden tucked away in some corner.I have some comfrey in my garden, but mainly for the beautiful spring flowers so loved by pollinators. As well as the medicinal properties, it may be worth noting that plants can also help to heal the mind. Near my home there is a plant center specifically available for mental patients to work with plants. Also when stressed I will often tend to the plants in my garden even if it is just weeding, and rapidly feel the benefit. I found Sue Stuart-Smith’s book ‘The well Gardened Mind’ quite interesting from this point of view.
Fascinating post Andrea. I frequently visit gardens open to the public here in the UK and there is often a herb garden tucked away in some corner.I have some comfrey in my garden, but mainly for the beautiful spring flowers so loved by pollinators. As well as the medicinal properties, it may be worth noting that plants can also help to heal the mind. Near my home there is a plant center specifically available for mental patients to work with plants. Also when stressed I will often tend to the plants in my garden even if it is just weeding, and rapidly feel the benefit. I found Sue Stuart-Smith’s book ‘The well Gardened Mind’ quite interesting from this point of view.
Fascinating post Andrea. I frequently visit gardens open to the public here in the UK and there is often a herb garden tucked away in some corner.I have some comfrey in my garden, but mainly for the beautiful spring flowers so loved by pollinators. As well as the medicinal properties, it may be worth noting that plants can also help to heal the mind. Near my home there is a plant center specifically available for mental patients to work with plants. Also when stressed I will often tend to the plants in my garden even if it is just weeding, and rapidly feel the benefit. I found Sue Stuart-Smith’s book ‘The well Gardened Mind’ quite interesting from this point of view.
Fascinating post Andrea. I frequently visit gardens open to the public here in the UK and there is often a herb garden tucked away in some corner.I have some comfrey in my garden, but mainly for the beautiful spring flowers so loved by pollinators. As well as the medicinal properties, it may be worth noting that plants can also help to heal the mind. Near my home there is a plant center specifically available for mental patients to work with plants. Also when stressed I will often tend to the plants in my garden even if it is just weeding, and rapidly feel the benefit. I found Sue Stuart-Smith’s book ‘The well Gardened Mind’ quite interesting from this point of view.
I am a big fan of Ellis Peters and her Brother Cadfael who is a monk in the 13th/14th century and has his own garden and grows herbs and plants and heals people as well as solving murder mysteries. I have a wonderful book entitled “Brother Cadfael’s Herb garden” that tells all about medieval plants and their uses. Very interesting, even to the modern reader.
I am a big fan of Ellis Peters and her Brother Cadfael who is a monk in the 13th/14th century and has his own garden and grows herbs and plants and heals people as well as solving murder mysteries. I have a wonderful book entitled “Brother Cadfael’s Herb garden” that tells all about medieval plants and their uses. Very interesting, even to the modern reader.
I am a big fan of Ellis Peters and her Brother Cadfael who is a monk in the 13th/14th century and has his own garden and grows herbs and plants and heals people as well as solving murder mysteries. I have a wonderful book entitled “Brother Cadfael’s Herb garden” that tells all about medieval plants and their uses. Very interesting, even to the modern reader.
I am a big fan of Ellis Peters and her Brother Cadfael who is a monk in the 13th/14th century and has his own garden and grows herbs and plants and heals people as well as solving murder mysteries. I have a wonderful book entitled “Brother Cadfael’s Herb garden” that tells all about medieval plants and their uses. Very interesting, even to the modern reader.
I am a big fan of Ellis Peters and her Brother Cadfael who is a monk in the 13th/14th century and has his own garden and grows herbs and plants and heals people as well as solving murder mysteries. I have a wonderful book entitled “Brother Cadfael’s Herb garden” that tells all about medieval plants and their uses. Very interesting, even to the modern reader.
Quantum, thanks so much for pointing out that plants have psychic healing properties as well as physical ones. It’s amazing our relationship with the plant world, and how tending and nurturing a garden is beneficial to so many people in a variety of way.
I find just walking through one of the great gardens (or , really, just any nature) is always calming experience and a great stress-releiver!
Quantum, thanks so much for pointing out that plants have psychic healing properties as well as physical ones. It’s amazing our relationship with the plant world, and how tending and nurturing a garden is beneficial to so many people in a variety of way.
I find just walking through one of the great gardens (or , really, just any nature) is always calming experience and a great stress-releiver!
Quantum, thanks so much for pointing out that plants have psychic healing properties as well as physical ones. It’s amazing our relationship with the plant world, and how tending and nurturing a garden is beneficial to so many people in a variety of way.
I find just walking through one of the great gardens (or , really, just any nature) is always calming experience and a great stress-releiver!
Quantum, thanks so much for pointing out that plants have psychic healing properties as well as physical ones. It’s amazing our relationship with the plant world, and how tending and nurturing a garden is beneficial to so many people in a variety of way.
I find just walking through one of the great gardens (or , really, just any nature) is always calming experience and a great stress-releiver!
Quantum, thanks so much for pointing out that plants have psychic healing properties as well as physical ones. It’s amazing our relationship with the plant world, and how tending and nurturing a garden is beneficial to so many people in a variety of way.
I find just walking through one of the great gardens (or , really, just any nature) is always calming experience and a great stress-releiver!
Thanks, Donna! I haven’t read the Brother Cadafel series, but have heard great things about it. Must put it on my TBR list. How wonderful that there is a companion herbal book. I would love to read about the plat usages, so will look for it!
Thanks, Donna! I haven’t read the Brother Cadafel series, but have heard great things about it. Must put it on my TBR list. How wonderful that there is a companion herbal book. I would love to read about the plat usages, so will look for it!
Thanks, Donna! I haven’t read the Brother Cadafel series, but have heard great things about it. Must put it on my TBR list. How wonderful that there is a companion herbal book. I would love to read about the plat usages, so will look for it!
Thanks, Donna! I haven’t read the Brother Cadafel series, but have heard great things about it. Must put it on my TBR list. How wonderful that there is a companion herbal book. I would love to read about the plat usages, so will look for it!
Thanks, Donna! I haven’t read the Brother Cadafel series, but have heard great things about it. Must put it on my TBR list. How wonderful that there is a companion herbal book. I would love to read about the plat usages, so will look for it!
Yes, it was founded by Henry Shaw, a rich St. Louis merchant who had emigrated from England. The land was originally his country estate.
Yes, it was founded by Henry Shaw, a rich St. Louis merchant who had emigrated from England. The land was originally his country estate.
Yes, it was founded by Henry Shaw, a rich St. Louis merchant who had emigrated from England. The land was originally his country estate.
Yes, it was founded by Henry Shaw, a rich St. Louis merchant who had emigrated from England. The land was originally his country estate.
Yes, it was founded by Henry Shaw, a rich St. Louis merchant who had emigrated from England. The land was originally his country estate.