New Book Explores Historical Use of Plants for Medicine
Ann Treneman's "The Garden Cure" details how common plants were used to treat ailments before modern pharmaceuticals.
Centuries ago, before pharmacies offered readily available medicines, people relied on plants to treat their ailments. This practice, rooted in natural wisdom, forms the basis of many modern pharmaceuticals.
Journalist and gardening specialist Ann Treneman explores this connection in her book, "The Garden Cure: 100 Remarkable Remedies for the Curious Gardener." The book details the historical use of plants for healing, noting that many conventional drugs, such as aspirin, quinine, and morphine, have origins in plant sources like willow bark, cinchona bark, and the opium poppy.
Treneman's work covers a wide range of plant-based remedies and their applications. It also touches upon the broader benefits of gardening, including physical activity, with a mention that 30 minutes of gardening can burn approximately 167 calories, equivalent to playing badminton. The book also addresses more contemplative needs, offering insights into how plants might help with issues such as the fear of death, stress reduction, and a lack of poetry in life.
For instance, the entry on poetry highlights Treneman's style, blending observations on online life with lines from 17th-century poet Andrew Marvell and touching upon Japanese gardens and Haiku. The book also provides practical advice, with entries on managing insomnia, suggesting Valerian for nightly tea, and St. John's Wort for mild depression.
"The Garden Cure" further points out the ancient connection between alcohol and plants, noting that historical drinks like gin and tonic may have contained enough quinine to combat malaria. For those feeling life is "humdrum," Treneman suggests planting bulbs as an accessible remedy.
The book is illustrated and aims to fascinate both avid gardeners and those less inclined to gardening. It is available from the Mail Bookshop.