[EBOOK] HERBS AND HERBALS FROM THE FOURTEENTH TO THE NINETEENTH CENTURIES (A Selection of the Rare Books, Manuscripts and Works of Art in the Collection of Rachel Lambert Mellon), LUCIA TONGIORGI TOMASI AND TONY WILLIS, UPPERVILLE VIRGINIA OAK SPRING GARDEN LIBRARY

AN OAK SPRING HERBARIA, the fourth catalogue in the Oak Spring Garden Library series, describes the Library’s remarkable books and artwork on herbs and herbals. From the beginning of early civilization to the present, herbs have played an extraordinary role. Whether gathered for curing the sick from all walks of life, for cooking or seasoning of foods, or for aromatic and aesthetic purposes, herbs continue to be grown and studied to benefit our basic needs and wants.

An herb, as defined by Liberty Hyde Dailey in The Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture,‘is a plant that dies to the ground each year, or at least that does not become woody. It may be annual, as bean, pigweed; biennial, as mullein, parsnip; perennial, as dictamnus, rhubarb.' As one can clearly sec, this type of classification covers a wide spectrum of plants!

During the warmer months, many herbs grow wild around our library, which is located in the Virginia Piedmont. The most common ones are the Common Mullein, Dandelion, Plantain, Poke Weed, and Yarrow:

-COMMON MULLEIN (Verbascum thapsuf), a very majestic plant, has been used over time to treat earaches and help with asthma. It is also called the Candlestick Plant; when the stalk is dipped in suet it will burn like a candle.

- DANDELION (Taraxacum officinale), which is considered a nuisance to most gardeners, is a very powerful diuretic. In the early spring, the fields here are covered with its bold yellow flowers. An infusion of the root can cleanse the body of impurities and the flowers are used to make wine.

-PLANTAIN (Plantago major),2 very pervasive plant, has been used to treat cuts and open wounds. The leaves act as an antibacterial agent that prevents infection.

-POKE WEED (Phytolacca amerkana) is a plant that has been used by Native Americans for centuries. This plant is edible in the early spring, but if not used or cooked correctly it can be very toxic. The beautiful berries are also poisonous and can be used to make a purple dye. Today Poke Weed is being studied as a treatment in curing cancer.

-YARROW (Achillea millefolium) has been used for centuries to stop bleeding. It is presently used in the treatment of common colds, kidney disorders, and toothaches. Achillea comes from the mythical Greek character, Achilles, who carried this plant with his army as a treatment for battle wounds.

Watching these charming plants grow truly helps to bring our books, drawings, and manuscripts to life by blending the past with the present and future. It is also very interesting to sec how many of the old-fashioned remedies that are mentioned in these early books and manuscripts are still in use today.

This diverse library of books and drawings is forever giving US hope and new ideas. Lucia Tongiorgi Tomasi.a loyal and dear friend who wrote An Oak Spring Flora, has once again come from Italy to America to work with the Library staff on this book. Lucia’s knowledge of herbs and herbals is extraordinary. It has been an incredible and fun journey. I am very grateful for her help.

My dear friend and librarian of twenty-eight years, Tony Willis, has worked with Lucia and he has kindly helped me with this foreword. Tony started working here in 1981 and he has helped to build this Library’s collection with great enthusiasm and spirit.

Mark Argetsmger, who designed our other catalogues in the series, An Oak Spring Sylva. Pomona, and Flora, has helped to produce another beautiful volume as the editor and book designer. My talented grandson, Stacy Lloyd, and the staff—Susan Leopold, Kimberley Fisher, Gloria Woodson, and Ricky Willis—help so much to keep this Library moving towards the future. I am grateful to all for their artistic talents, knowledge, and friendship.

Just like the early herbalists and historians who were constantly seeking knowledge, hope, and treatment from herbs, we at the Library are always learning and making new discoveries along the way. This, in itself, is the real and genuine inspiration for An Oak Spring Herbaria.

[EBOOK] HERBS AND HERBALS FROM THE FOURTEENTH TO THE NINETEENTH CENTURIES (A Selection of the Rare Books, Manuscripts and Works of Art in the Collection of Rachel Lambert Mellon), LUCIA TONGIORGI TOMASI AND TONY WILLIS, UPPERVILLE VIRGINIA OAK SPRING GARDEN LIBRARY

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Keyword: ebook, giáo trình, HERBS AND HERBALS, herbaria, thảo mộc và sách dược thảo, mẫu vật thảo mộc, bộ sưu tập mẫu vật cây dược thảo, sách nghiên cứu về thảo mộc