Sauer's Herbal Cures: America's First Book of Botanic Healing, 1762-1778

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Overview

Colonial Americans who needed to relieve a bellyache, concoct an insect repellent, brew a batch of hair dye, or mix a soothing nerve tonic knew just where to turn: Johann Christoph Sauer's Compendius Herbal. The most popular concordance of herbal remedies of the time, it remains today one of the most magnificent collections of botanical wisdom available anywhere.
Originally written in German by a Philadelphian apothecary and printer (who along with his father were rivals of Ben ...
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More About This Book

Overview

Colonial Americans who needed to relieve a bellyache, concoct an insect repellent, brew a batch of hair dye, or mix a soothing nerve tonic knew just where to turn: Johann Christoph Sauer's Compendius Herbal. The most popular concordance of herbal remedies of the time, it remains today one of the most magnificent collections of botanical wisdom available anywhere.
Originally written in German by a Philadelphian apothecary and printer (who along with his father were rivals of Ben Franklin), the secrets of this long-lost classic have now been recovered through the loving translation of internationally known food historian William Woys Weaver. Adding descriptions of the 266 plants listed, 50 period woodcuts, and cultural information that place Sauer's advice in its historical context, Weaver has made this treasury of herbal lore accessible to today's readers while preserving the unique mixture of quaint advice, common sense, ancient wisdom, and practical gardening knowledge that made the original so useful and endearing.
From a time where cooking and gardening were more closely entwined with medicine and spirituality, Sauer's Herbal Cures offers a fascinating mix of history, recipes, home cures, botanical advice — and even a bit of witchcraft — that will delight gardeners, herbalists, cooks, and readers interested in holistic medicine.
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Editorial Reviews

Library Journal
Described by food historian Weaver as "the people's herbal," this book was originally written in German and assembled by an apothecary in Philadelphia during the mid-1700s. Weaver tempers the herbal advice with current information and provides historical insights throughout. (LJ 11/15/00)
Booknews
For colonial Americans, the first (and only) word on using herbs and plants to cure everyday ills was found in Johann Sauer's book, now published in English for the first time. Originally introduced in serial from 1762-1788, it was the first book of its kind compiled in the Americas, and therefore was the only available source on local plants which could be used, inexpensively, to benefit the ailing. This book presents the translation in its entirety and with its era's nuances (e.g., information on how to cure the stinking breath caused by rotting teeth, directions for curing a person's and a horse's stomach listed on the same page). Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780415923606
  • Publisher: Taylor & Francis
  • Publication date: 12/28/2000
  • Pages: 432
  • Product dimensions: 7.10 (w) x 10.20 (h) x 1.30 (d)

Meet the Author

William Woys Weaver is an internationally known food historian specializing in the history of American cuisine. The author of nine books, including Heirloom Vegetable Gardening and Pennsylvania Dutch Country Cooking he has been the subject of articles in The New York Times, Food and Wine, Americana, and Country Home. He lives in Devon, Pennsylvania.

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Table of Contents

Foreword
Introduction
Pt. I Christopher Sauer: Book Printer and Herbalist 1
Pt. II The Compendious Herbal (1762-1778) 29
Agaric to Zedoary 35
Glossary of Eighteenth-Century Medical Terms 363
Bibliography 369
Index of Persons, Physicians, and Herbalists 379
General Index 383
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