Herbs and Medicinal Plants: The Academy of Natural Sciences Knowledge Cards

Before the science of pharmacology was confined to the laboratory, all medicines were remedies made from plant materials. Healers---from the Neolithic shamans to the eminent physicians of the Enlightenment---made their own poultices, tinctures, and salves from plants that grew in their gardens or in the wild. Few abilities were more important to a doctor than a precise identification of the correct flora.

The 48 beautiful nineteenth-century botanical illustrations in this deck - accompanied by text describing the appearances and uses of the plant - introduce readers to a range of natural remedies, from golden seal to St. John's wort.

Disclaimer: These cards are not a guide to herbal use; the information and illustrations found here are for artistic and historical purposes only. Contact your physician for advice and information about the proper and safe use of herbs.