Tretyakova M.V.

Thomas Hill’s The Arte of Gardening: instructions on collecting medicinal herbs. Pp. 62–67.

UDC 94(410)”1485/1603″

DOI 10.37724/RSU.2024.85.4.007

 

Abstract. The article deals with the peculiarities of collecting medicinal raw materials in England in the 16th — early 17th centuries. In that time, plants of English kitchen gardens were used not only in the preparation of various dishes, but also were ingredients for many, if not all, home remedies. The focus is on the second part of Thomas Hill’s treatise The arte of gardening, mainly its chapter 64. T. Hill gives recommendations on the cultivation of various plants, including vegetable gardens, herbs, spicy and medicinal herbs, flowers, characterizes their useful properties, and lists diseases for which a particular plant is effective. In the last chapter of the second part of the treatise the author shares his knowledge of collecting raw materials for medicinal use and emphasizes the importance of such factors as the time of collection, the useful parts of certain plants, and the appropriate place and period of storage of medicinal raw materials. Hill also notes that some plants are best used fresh without storing. The author of the article believes that the writer himself was sure of the value of his advice regarding collection of plants for medicinal purposes. Many of his recommendations for collecting medicinal raw materials are still relevant today.

 

Keywords: England, medicinal raw materials, Thomas Hill, treatise The arte of gardening, 16th century.

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