History of Herbalism
The Importance of Herbal Medicine
Throughout human history, we have depended largely on the healing power of plants.
Two to three thousand years ago we were beginning to write down what we had learned—on clay tablets and papyrus, all by hand. Recipes and “simples” were discovered and used by thousands to prevent and cure disease and to ease symptoms, and then were passed on to future generations.
Preservers of knowledge have documented our progress with herbs throughout history.
- The stone age through ancient cultures in Egypt, Greece, and the Roman Empire…
- From the “Dark” or Middle Ages when plagues ravaged millions through to the Persian practitioners and writers in the arts of pharmacy and medicine in about 1200 CE…
- During the great flowering of knowledge during the Renaissance, the great herbals of Turner, Gerard, and Fuchs, to the Age of Enlightenment in the 1600s and 1700s.
The printing press was invented in the 15th century CE, and the first two books ever printed in the West were the Bible and the first Herbal.
In many cultures, systems of herbal medicine were developed and documented—Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and indigenous plant knowledge in North America, South America, remote places in Asia, the Middle East, and island cultures throughout the Pacific.
Throughout human history, we have depended largely on the healing power of plants. Two to three thousand years ago, we were beginning to write down what we had learned—on clay tablets and papyrus, all by hand. Recipes and “simples” were discovered and used by thousands to prevent and cure disease and to ease symptoms, and then were passed on to future generations.
In many cultures, systems of herbal medicine were developed and documented—Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and indigenous plant knowledge in North America, South America, remote places in Asia, the Middle East, and island cultures throughout the Pacific.
Herbalism—the use of plants and other natural substances occurring in nature—is the largest, longest, and most far-reaching human experiment in healing in human history. The empirical knowledge and the hands-on experience gained over arguably four thousand years was written down starting between 2,000 and 1,500 BCE in ancient Egypt and somewhat later in India and, in parallel, China.
The Place of Herbalism in Human Culture and History
Herbalism—the use of plants and other natural substances occurring in nature—is the largest, longest, and most far-reaching human experiment in healing in human history. The empirical knowledge and the hands-on experience gained over arguably four thousand years was written down starting between 2,000 and 1,500 BCE in ancient Egypt and somewhat later in India and, in parallel, China.
We know of early cultures along the Nile River, hunter-gatherers, who from about fourteen thousand years ago were growing and grinding grain. These people had a close relationship with nature—the plants and trees that were around them were used for food, building materials, weapons and hunting tools, and medicine.
Herbalism Today Is Still Going Strong
Today, the practice of herbalism is alive and growing, steadily integrating with other forms of healing and medicine, and gaining in stature in clinics, hospitals, and private practices throughout the world. Traditional Chinese Medicine is still used by a large portion of the people in China today: In 2017, China saw 2.6 billion total visits to traditional medicine practitioners, about one-third of all medical visits (Aw et al., 2019).
As more awareness grows about the importance of diet, exercise, and mindfulness for prevention and treatment of all disease, herbal medicine is also coming to the forefront. The amount of scientific research on all aspects of the healing powers of herbs has increased steadily over the last two hundred years and in the last fifteen years, exponentially, as can be dramatically seen in the graph below.
The World Herb Library is here to archive, in digital form, this long history of herbal practice and make it free to the public.
FAQ
What is the World Herb Library?
The World Herb Library is a digital library dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of herbal knowledge. Our collection brings together thousands of rare and fascinating books about herbs, plants, botanical medicine, gardening, natural history, and traditional healing. Our goal is to make this valuable knowledge accessible to everyone.
Many of these books are difficult to find in libraries or private collections, and some are hundreds of years old. By digitizing and preserving them, we are helping ensure that this remarkable part of our botanical and cultural heritage is not lost.
Whether you are an herbalist, researcher, student, gardener, historian, or simply curious about the plants around you, we invite you to explore the collection and discover the stories and knowledge contained within these remarkable books.
Is the World Herb Library free to use?
Yes. The World Herb Library is available to everyone, free of charge. We believe historical herbal knowledge should be accessible to people around the world. There are no membership fees required to explore the collection, search the books, or enjoy the educational resources available through the library.
The library is made possible through donations, sponsorships, and the support of people who believe in preserving this important knowledge for future generations.
Is the World Herb Library a nonprofit organization?
Why are historical herbals important today?
Historical herbals provide a fascinating window into the way people have understood and used plants throughout history. Long before modern reference books and digital databases existed, herbalists, physicians, botanists, gardeners, and communities recorded their observations about plants, their characteristics, their traditional uses, and the cultures surrounding them.
These books can help us understand the history of herbal medicine, botanical science, agriculture, gardening, and traditional knowledge. They also allow researchers to compare historical ideas with what we know today. New medicines are being created today by researching these older texts.
The World Herb Library preserves these works so that they can be studied, appreciated, and explored by anyone interested in the long relationship between people and plants.
Are there books about traditional herbal medicine from different cultures?
Yes. The World Herb Library includes works reflecting herbal traditions, botanical knowledge, and plant use from a variety of times, places, and cultural traditions. Our collection continues to grow, and we are particularly interested in preserving books that document the diverse ways people have understood and worked with plants throughout history.
Exploring these works can reveal how different cultures identified plants, described their properties, prepared them, and incorporated them into everyday life and traditional practices.
How do I search for an herb or book?
Searching the World Herb Library is easy. You can search the library for the name of an herb, plant, author, book title, or other subject that interests you. Our search system allows you to explore the collection and discover information across thousands of books.
Over 2.5 million pages are searchable! If you are looking for a particular plant, try entering its common name or botanical name into the search box. You may be surprised by how many historical references you can find.
You can also browse the collection and discover books you may never have known existed.
Can I read the books on my phone or tablet?
Yes. The World Herb Library is designed to be accessible from computers, phones, and tablets. You can explore the collection from wherever you are and read historical herbals and botanical books directly on your device.
Whether you’re sitting at home, researching a particular herb, or simply exploring the collection, the library is available whenever you are ready to discover something new.
Is the information in the books medical advice?
No. The books in the World Herb Library are provided primarily as historical, educational, and research resources. Many of the books in our collection were written decades or even centuries ago. Their descriptions of herbs, treatments, and medical practices reflect the knowledge and beliefs of the time in which they were written and may not agree with modern scientific or medical understanding.
Nothing on the World Herb Library should be considered medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation for treatment. If you have questions about your health or the use of an herb, we encourage you to consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Our purpose is to preserve the historical record and make this fascinating knowledge available for study and exploration.
How can I support the World Herb Library?
There are several ways you can help us preserve this important collection.
Make a donation. Your contribution helps us digitize, preserve, organize, and make historical herbal books accessible to people around the world.
Become a sponsor. Businesses and organizations that share our interest in herbs, plants, botanical history, and education can help support the ongoing work of the library through sponsorship.
Spread the word. One of the simplest ways to help is to tell others about the World Herb Library. Share our website and social media pages with friends, herbalists, researchers, students, gardeners, and anyone who loves plants and history.
Every contribution—large or small—helps us continue our mission of preserving this knowledge for future generations.
How can my company become a sponsor?
We welcome companies and organizations that would like to help support the World Herb Library and the preservation of historical herbal knowledge.
Sponsorship provides an opportunity for herb companies, botanical organizations, natural product businesses, and other like-minded organizations to support our nonprofit mission while introducing their company to people who are passionate about herbs and plants.
Companies interested in becoming a sponsor can contact us (contact@worldherblibrary.org) to learn about current sponsorship opportunities and how their support can help us continue digitizing and preserving this remarkable collection. There is still room on our pages for your logo.
Together, we can help ensure that centuries of herbal and botanical knowledge remain available for generations to come.
Click here to become a Sponsor.
Copyright Policy
What happens if I notice content that infringes someone’s copyright?
If the World Herb Library is made aware of content that infringes someone’s copyright, it is our policy to remove the item.
How do I submit a copyright complaint?
If you believe material on the World Herb Library website is infringing a copyright, you may submit a notice contesting the use. Upon our receipt of a valid notice, we will remove the item. Email or send notice to:
World Herb Library
P.O. Box 1569
El Dorado, California 95623
Email: contact@worldherblibrary.org