National Geographic Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine

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For millennia, humans have sought remedies in nature for various ailments. Long before formal science emerged, healers utilized plants to alleviate pain and treat a multitude of diseases. Today, many still rely on medicinal plants, whether in traditional practices or as foundations for new research and innovative drugs. This accessible, fact-filled book features 350 full-color photographs, botanical drawings, and maps, presenting beautifully illustrated entries for hundreds of plants celebrated for their healing properties. Each entry includes detailed descriptions of physical appearance, medicinal uses, origins, geographic distribution, and harvesting methods, along with a range map. The text offers a fascinating medical chronicle filled with informative sidebars on topics ranging from ancient folklore to contemporary research. Readers will discover the evolution of aspirin from willow bark to modern tablets, the role of foxglove in creating the heart drug digitalis, and the deep historical and cultural roots of many common treatments. This journey begins centuries ago in remote areas like the Amazon rain forest, where shamans wielded the curative power of plants, and extends to today’s high-tech pharmaceutical labs, where scientists strive to develop new plant-based drugs for a wide array of diseases, from cancer to the common cold.