Ancient herbs / Marina Heilmeyer ; [David J. Baker, translator].

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Heilmeyer, Marina.

Language:

English

German

Subjects (All):

Herbs.

Cooking (Herbs).

Herbs--Therapeutic use.

Physical Description:

101 pages : color illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Los Angeles : J. Paul Getty Museum, [2007]

Summary:

The forty plants in this book present both herbs and other plants that were important for culinary, medicinal, and cult purposes in classical antiquity. Thus olive and pomegranate, myrtle and rose join coriander and marjoram, garlic and thyme. In the introduction, the author draws on her extensive knowledge of ancient practices to paint an intriguing image of the uses of and myths about plants from Greek and particularly Roman kitchen gardens. Quotes from classical authors testify to ancient practices, some curious, some still standard today. The delightful illustrations reproduce drawings from early nineteenth-century botanical publications, which often show the plants at various stages of growth, from seeds through ripe fruits.

Contents:

II Ancient Herbs

Absinthe: Artemisia absinthium 18

Anise: Pimpinella anisum 20

Asaferida: Ferula assa-foetida 22

Basil: Ocimum basilicum 24

Bay Laurel: Laurus nobilis 26

Bee Balm: Melissa officinalis 28

Caraway: Carum carvi 30

Celery: Apium graveolens 32

Chamomile: Chamaemelum nobile = Anthemis nobilis 34

Chicory: Cichorium intybus 36

Clover: Melilotus officinalis 38

Coriander: Coriandrum sativum 40

Cretan Dittany: Origanum dictamnus 42

Cumin: Cuminum cyminum 44

Dill and Fennel: Anethum graveolens and Foeniculum vulgare 46

Elecampane: Inula helenium 48

Fenugreek: Trigonella foenum-graecum 50

Garlic and Onion: Allium sativum and Allium cepa 52

Hollyhock: Alcea rosea 54

Horehound: Marrubium vulgare 56

Hyssop: Hysoppus officinalis 58

Iris: Iris x germanica var. florentina 60

Juniper: Juniperus communis 62

Lovage: Levisticum officinale 64

Marjoram: Origanum majorana 66

Mugwort: Artemisia vulgaris 68

Mustard: Sinapis alba 70

Myrtle: Myrtus communis 72

Olive: Olea europaea 74

Parsley: Petrosdinum crispum 76

Pennyroyal: Mentha pulegium 78

Pomegranate: Punica granatum 80

Poppy: Papaver somniferum 82

Rose: Rosa gallica 84

Rosemary: Rosmarinus officinalis 86

Rue: Ruta graveolens 88

Sage: Salvia officinalis 90

Spearmint: Mentha spicata 92

St.-John's-wort: Hypericum perforatum 94

Thyme: Thymus vulgaris and Thymus serpyllum 96.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (page 100).

ISBN:

9780892368846

0892368845

OCLC:

71800516

Online:

Contributor biographical information

Publisher description