The Old Root and Herb Doctor

I downloaded The Old Root And Herb Doctor back in April, when it was the ForgottenBooks free book of the day, because I thought it looked interesting. I then promptly lost it in my tablet's downloads which is why it has taken me so long to actually read the book. I was disappointed to realise that the 'Indian' of the subtitle actually refers to Native Americans rather than people of India so I wasn't able to put my spice collection to good use, however the book is a fascinating little tome in its own right. Other than a few short essays, it is mainly made up of recipes for tinctures, infusions and poultices for various ailments that were rife in the 1860s and 1870s. Briante is keen that his book should be read and used by the sort of people who would otherwise go to 'quack doctors', insisting that his own proffered remedies would be far more successful in healing the afflicted. I don't know if he actually learned from Native American healers or if this claim is his own attempt at clever marketing!

I think one would already need some expertise or local guidance in making up cures before attempting any of Briante's recipes because he is often quite vague about things like which part of a specific plant to use. The section on poisoning seems to include several treatments for the same plants I had seen recommended as cures in earlier chapters which was a little alarming. Recipes calling for ingredients such as a ground up old boot were also eye-opening. I probably won't risk any of Briante's cures myself, but as a historical curiosity it's a fun read and I can imagine it could be of particular use to authors writing historical fiction about this era.