Holly Medicinal Plant 1737

by NLM Science Source

Title

Holly Medicinal Plant 1737

Artist

NLM Science Source

Medium

Photograph - Photograph

Description

"A Curious Herbal", Plate 205. Birdlime, a sticky substance made from the bark of the holly tree to entrap birds, was once applied to tumors and swellings to "ripen" them. Holly (Ilex) is a genus of 400 to 600 species of flowering plants in the family Aquifoliaceae, and the only living genus in that family. The species are evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers. Historically, and Ilex opaca fruit tea was used as a heart stimulant by American Indians. Ilex vomitoria was used to cause vomiting. More recently, preparations of holly leaf have been used for coughs, digestive disorders, water retention, and jaundice. Ilex aquifolium leaves are used for treating fevers that come and go, rheumatism, swelling, water retention, and chest congestion. Ilex opaca leaves are used to empty and cleanse the bowels, stimulate the heart, and increase urine flow. Other holly species are used for treating heart disease, dizziness, and high blood pressure. Elizabeth Blackwell (1707-1758) was a famed Scottish illustrator and author who was best known as both the artist and engraver for the plates of "A Curious Herbal" (1737). A herbal is a book of plants, describing their appearance, their properties and how they may be used for preparing ointments and medicines. The book is notable both for its beautiful illustrations of medicinal plants and for the unusual circumstances of its creation. Blackwell undertook the project to raise money to pay her husband's debts and release him from debtor's prison. She drew, engraved, and colored the illustrations herself, mostly using plant specimens from the Chelsea Physic Garden in London. It was an artistic, scientific and commercial enterprise unprecedented for a woman of her time. Little is known of her later years. She died in 1758, at the age of 50 or 51. She remained loyal to Alexander throughout, even sharing royalties with him from the sale of additional book rights.

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December 9th, 2014

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