By (author) Christina Stapley
An exploration of the history, folklore and medicinal uses of thirty Native European trees.
In this beautifully illustrated book, which uses the author's own photographs, Christina Stapley provides a thorough and deep appreciation of trees as she has experienced them through everyday life, as a herb historian and practising herbalist.
Categorised into seasons, each of the thirty tree chapters covers cultivation, cookery, foraging, crafts, history, botany, medicinal use and mythology.
Original herbals are used as source material for the historical section, allowing voices from the past to speak for themselves.
A 'Herbalists Reference' for each tree includes medicinal uses, dosage and constituents and reflects the author's own extensive experience of using these wonderful tree remedies. Never again will a tincture or dried herb of tree origin be simply a name on a label and a list of constituents, actions and indications.
This books encourages herbalists to expand their horizons from what grows around their feet, to the bounty that grows above as well.
As you read this book, you will also feel a stronger connection to the trees and wish to explore, plant and care for them yourself.
Volume 2 of The Tree Dispensary covering exotic trees is out now and can be purchased here.
The wonderful Christina Stapley has done a fascinating interview about her recent book 'The Tree Dispensary' in which she discusses the healing power of trees and related remedies. You can watch the full interview here!
By (author) Christina Stapley
Christina Stapley is a retired medical herbalist with ten years of practice. She now teaches pharmacognosy, materia medica and the history of western herbal medicine. Christina is a member of the Herbal History Research Network, and for many years has tutored practical historical herb workshops. She is a Royal Horticultural Society lecturer and has written three books on growing and using herbs. Christina has written courses on ageing successfully with herbs and edited a book of 17th century cookery and medicinal recipes.
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I have just started reading this and am so enjoying it, it's my latest Must Read. Christina makes what could be a dry subject come alive. It's personal, historical, scientific, educational, and fascinating. You can read as much as you want.
It's clearly laid out, lovely photos, & perfect text size for ageing eyes! Bought a copy for a friend now.
In The Tree Dispensary Christina Stapley takes you by the hand, through the seasons, to introduce you to the trees that she knows so intimately. Her friendly narrative leads you to each tree, outlining their history and folklore, their culinary attributes, medicinal history and properties and then details the way she, as a modern herbalist, uses them. It will make you appreciate the trees in your neighbourhood even more.
