Materia Medica

The Plates

255 illustrations of the substances of old medicine, most of them from the botanical books of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, each one a door to its entry. Every plate is in the public domain and credited on its entry.

Plants 120

Aconite (Aconitum napellus), plate: Aconitum napellus (monkshood / wolfsbane)
Aconite
Aniseed (Pimpinella anisum), plate: Anise
Aniseed
Arthritica (Ajuga iva), plate: Iva
Arthritica
Asarabacca (Asarum europaeum), plate: Asarabacca
Asarabacca
Aster (Aster amellus), plate: Italian starwort
Aster
Balm (Melissa officinalis), plate: Lemon balm
Balm
Basil (Ocimum basilicum), plate: Basil
Basil
Ben-nut (Moringa oleifera), plate: Ben-nut tree
Ben-nut
Betony (Betonica officinalis), plate: Betony
Betony
Bistort (Bistorta officinalis), plate: Bistort
Bistort
Black hellebore (Helleborus niger), plate: Black hellebore
Black hellebore
Black walnut (Juglans nigra), plate: Juglans nigra (black walnut), drawn by Charles Edward Faxon
Black walnut
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), plate: Sanguinaria canadensis (bloodroot), drawn from nature by Charles F
Bloodroot
Borage (Borago officinalis), plate: Borage
Borage
Broom (Spartium junceum), plate: Spanish broom
Broom
Bryony (Bryonia dioica), plate: White bryony
Bryony
Burdock, plate: Lappa officinalis var
Burdock
Caper spurge (Euphorbia lathyris), plate: Caper spurge
Caper spurge
Cassia, flower of (Cassia fistula), plate: Indian laburnum
Cassia, flower of
Castor-oil plant, seeds of (Ricinus communis), plate: Castor-oil plant
Castor-oil plant, seeds of
Catmint (Nepeta cataria), plate: Catmint
Catmint
Cattail (Typha latifolia), plate: Typha latifolia and Typha angustifolia (Rohrkolben)
Cattail
Centaury (Centaurium erythraea), plate: Centaury
Centaury
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), plate: Chamomile
Chamomile
Chicory (Cichorium intybus), plate: Chicory
Chicory
Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), plate: Prunus virginiana (choke cherry), drawn from nature by Charles Edward Faxon
Chokecherry
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), plate: Cinnamon
Cinnamon
Cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans), plate: Cinquefoil
Cinquefoil
Citron (Citrus medica), plate: Citron
Citron
Clary, garden (Salvia sclarea), plate: Clary sage
Clary, garden
Clove, plate: Caryophyllus aromaticus (clove)
Clove
Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara), plate: Coltsfoot
Coltsfoot
Cyclamen, greater (Cyclamen purpurascens), plate: Sowbread
Cyclamen, greater
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), plate: Taraxacum dens-leonis (dandelion), drawn from nature by Charles F
Dandelion
Deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), plate: Atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade)
Deadly nightshade
Dill (Anethum graveolens), plate: Dill
Dill
Dittany (Origanum dictamnus), plate: Dittany of Crete
Dittany
Endive (Cichorium endivia), plate: Endive
Endive
Epithymum (Cuscuta epithymum), plate: Dodder
Epithymum
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), plate: Fennel
Fennel
Garlic (Allium sativum), plate: Allium sativum (garlic)
Garlic
Ghost pipe (Monotropa uniflora), plate: Monotropa uniflora (Indian pipe), drawn from nature by Charles F
Ghost pipe
Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), plate: Panax quinquefolium (ginseng)
Ginseng
Goat’s rue (Galega officinalis), plate: Goat’s rue
Goat’s rue
Goji berry (Lycium barbarum), plate: Lycium barbarum (Gemeiner Teufelszwirn)
Goji berry
Greater celandine (Chelidonium majus), plate: Greater celandine
Greater celandine
Ground cherry (Physalis), plate: Physalis Alkekengi (Gemeine Judenkirsche)
Ground cherry
Ground pine (Ajuga chamaepitys), plate: Ground pine
Ground pine
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), plate: Crataegus oxyacantha (hawthorn)
Hawthorn
Hemlock (Conium maculatum), plate: Conium maculatum (hemlock)
Hemlock
Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger), plate: Hyoscyamus niger (henbane)
Henbane
Herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia), plate: Herb Paris
Herb Paris
Hop (Humulus lupulus), plate: Hop
Hop
Horehound (Marrubium vulgare), plate: White horehound
Horehound
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), plate: Hyssopus officinalis (hyssop) in flower
Hyssop
Iva (Ajuga iva), plate: Iva
Iva
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), plate: Impatiens biflora (spotted touch-me-not), the figure and description from Britton and Brown, An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions, 2nd ed., vol
Jewelweed
Juneberry (Amelanchier canadensis), plate: Amelanchier canadensis (shad bush, service berry), drawn by Charles Edward Faxon
Juneberry
Laurel (Laurus nobilis), plate: Bay laurel
Laurel
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), plate: Lavandula angustifolia (lavender)
Lavender
Lesser bean-trefoil (Anagyris foetida), plate: Stinking bean trefoil
Lesser bean-trefoil
Lovage (Levisticum officinale), plate: Levisticum officinale (lovage)
Lovage
Mallow and marshmallow (Malva sylvestris), plate: Marshmallow
Mallow and marshmallow
Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum), plate: Illustration of a mandrake plant (the dog-and-root harvesting legend), 15th-century herbal manuscript
Mandrake
Marjoram and jasmine (Origanum majorana), plate: Marjoram
Marjoram and jasmine
Masterwort and angelica (Peucedanum ostruthium), plate: Angelica
Masterwort and angelica
Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum), plate: Podophyllum peltatum (may-apple), drawn from nature by Charles F
Mayapple
Melon root (Cucumis melo), plate: Melon
Melon root
Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), plate: Asclepias cornuti (common milkweed), drawn from nature by Charles F
Milkweed
Mint, oil of, plate: Mint
Mint, oil of
Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), plate: Mugwort
Mugwort
Mullein (Verbascum thapsus), plate: Verbascum thapsus (mullein), drawn from nature by Charles F
Mullein
Mustard seed (Brassica napus), plate: Rape
Mustard seed
Nasturtium, that is, garden cress (Lepidium sativum), plate: Garden cress
Nasturtium, that is, garden cress
Nettle seed (Urtica dioica), plate: Stinging nettle
Nettle seed
Nutmeg and clove (Myristica fragrans), plate: Nutmeg
Nutmeg and clove
Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), plate: Papaver somniferum (opium poppy)
Opium poppy
Orache (Atriplex hortensis), plate: Orache
Orache
Oregano and squinanth (Origanum vulgare), plate: Oregano
Oregano and squinanth
Ox eye (Buphthalmum salicifolium), plate: Yellow ox-eye
Ox eye
Palm of Christ (Ricinus communis), plate: Palma Christi
Palm of Christ
Pawpaw (Asimina triloba), plate: Asimina triloba (pawpaw), drawn from nature by Charles F
Pawpaw
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium), plate: Pennyroyal
Pennyroyal
Peony (Paeonia officinalis), plate: Peony
Peony
Plantain (Plantago major), plate: Plantain
Plantain
Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), plate: Phytolacca decandra (poke)
Pokeweed
Radish (Raphanus sativus), plate: Radish
Radish
Ramps (Allium tricoccum), plate: Allium tricoccum (wild leek), the figure and description from Britton and Brown, An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions, vol
Ramps
Red roses (Rosa gallica), plate: Red rose
Red roses
Rhubarb (Rheum officinale), plate: Rhubarb
Rhubarb
Rocket (Eruca vesicaria), plate: Rocket
Rocket
Rose (Rosa gallica), plate: Rose
Rose
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), plate: Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary)
Rosemary
Round birthwort (Aristolochia rotunda), plate: Round birthwort
Round birthwort
Rue (Ruta graveolens), plate: Rue
Rue
Saffron (Crocus sativus), plate: Saffron crocus
Saffron
Sage (Salvia officinalis), plate: Sage
Sage
Savin (Juniperus sabina), plate: Savin
Savin
Senna (Senna alexandrina), plate: Senna
Senna
Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus), plate: Snapdragon
Snapdragon
Southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum), plate: Southernwood
Southernwood
Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi), plate: Spikenard
Spikenard
Squill (Drimia maritima), plate: Sea squill
Squill
St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), plate: St
St. John’s wort
Sumac, plate: Rhus glabra (smooth sumach), drawn from nature by Charles F
Sumac
Sweet flag (Acorus calamus), plate: Sweet flag
Sweet flag
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), plate: Tanacetum vulgare (tansy), drawn from nature by Charles F
Tansy
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), plate: Thymus vulgaris (thyme)
Thyme
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), plate: Valeriana officinalis (valerian)
Valerian
Verbena (Verbena officinalis), plate: Vervain
Verbena
Violet, lettuce, sow-thistle (Viola odorata), plate: Sweet violet
Violet, lettuce, sow-thistle
Walnut, middle bark of (Juglans regia), plate: Walnut
Walnut, middle bark of
Water germander (Teucrium scordium), plate: Water germander
Water germander
White hellebore (Veratrum album), plate: White hellebore
White hellebore
Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), plate: Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot), the figure and description from Britton and Brown, An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions, 2nd ed., vol
Wild bergamot
Wild carrot, seed of (Daucus carota), plate: Wild carrot
Wild carrot, seed of
Wild ginger (Asarum canadense), plate: Asarum canadense (wild ginger)
Wild ginger
Wild rue (Ruta graveolens), plate: Syrian rue
Wild rue
Wormwood, oil of (Artemisia absinthium), plate: Wormwood
Wormwood, oil of
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), plate: Achillea millefolium (yarrow)
Yarrow

Fungi 50

Aflatoxin mould (Aspergillus flavus), plate: Aspergillus flavus (aflatoxin mould), a stained hypha under the microscope
Aflatoxin mould
Angel’s wings (Pleurocybella porrigens), plate: Agaricus (Pleurotus) porrigens (Angel's wings, Pleurocybella porrigens)
Angel’s wings
Birch polypore (Fomitopsis betulina), plate: Polypore du bouleau, Polyporus betulinus, “on birches, all year”: plate 45 of a French illustrated guide to mushrooms.
Birch polypore
Brewer’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), plate: Saccharomyces cerevisiae (brewer's yeast)
Brewer’s yeast
Brown roll-rim (Paxillus involutus), plate: Paxille enroulé (Paxillus involutus)
Brown roll-rim
Caterpillar fungus (Ophiocordyceps sinensis), plate: Ophiocordyceps sinensis, as Sphaeria sinensis (caterpillar fungus)
Caterpillar fungus
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus), plate: Inonotus obliquus (chaga), sterile conk on birch
Chaga
Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius), plate: Cantharellus cibarius (chanterelle)
Chanterelle
Common earthball (Scleroderma citrinum), plate: Kartoffel-Bovist (Scleroderma citrinum, labeled S
Common earthball
Common ink cap (Coprinopsis atramentaria), plate: Coprin noir d'encre (Coprinopsis atramentaria)
Common ink cap
Corn smut (Ustilago maydis), plate: Ustilago maydis (corn smut) on maize
Corn smut
Deadly fibrecap (Inocybe erubescens), plate: Inocybe erubescens, as I
Deadly fibrecap
Deadly webcap (Cortinarius rubellus), plate: Deadly webcap (Cortinarius rubellus, as C
Deadly webcap
Death cap (Amanita phalloides), plate: Death cap (Agaricus phalloides)
Death cap
Destroying angel (Amanita virosa), plate: Destroying angel (Amanita virosa)
Destroying angel
Ergot (Claviceps purpurea), plate: Claviceps purpurea (ergot), labeled Secale cornutum
Ergot
Fairy ring champignon (Marasmius oreades), plate: Marasmius oreades (fairy ring champignon) in a fairy ring
Fairy ring champignon
False morel (Gyromitra esculenta), plate: Gyromitra esculenta (false morel)
False morel
Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria), plate: Amanita muscaria (fly agaric)
Fly agaric
Fool’s webcap (Cortinarius orellanus), plate: Cortinarius anthracinus (above) and C
Fool’s webcap
Fu ling (Wolfiporia extensa), plate: Wolfiporia extensa, dried sclerotium slices (fu ling / tuckahoe), as sold medicinally
Fu ling
Funeral bell (Galerina marginata), plate: Funeral bell (Galerina marginata, as Agaricus/Pholiota marginatus)
Funeral bell
Honey fungus (Armillaria), plate: Armillaria mellea (honey fungus)
Honey fungus
Jack-o’-lantern (Omphalotus olearius), plate: Omphalotus olearius (jack-o'-lantern)
Jack-o’-lantern
Jelly ear (Auricularia auricula-judae), plate: Auricularia auricula-judae ("Auriculaire Oreille de Judas")
Jelly ear
Koji mould (Aspergillus oryzae), plate: Aspergillus oryzae (koji mould) on steamed rice
Koji mould
Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus), plate: Hericium erinaceus (lion's mane)
Lion’s mane
Livid pinkgill (Entoloma sinuatum), plate: Entolome livide (Entoloma sinuatum, labeled E
Livid pinkgill
Man on horseback (Tricholoma equestre), plate: Tricholoma equestre (man on horseback)
Man on horseback
Morel (Morchella esculenta), plate: Morchella esculenta (morel)
Morel
Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus), plate: Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom), photograph
Oyster mushroom
Panther cap (Amanita pantherina), plate: Amanita pantherina (panther cap)
Panther cap
Penicillin mould (Penicillium rubens), plate: Penicillium species on Petri dish
Penicillin mould
Poison fire coral (Trichoderma cornu-damae), plate: Trichoderma cornu-damae (poison fire coral)
Poison fire coral
Puffball (Calvatia gigantea), plate: Four puffballs of the genus Lycoperdon: Léon Dufour, Atlas des champignons comestibles et vénéneux (Paris, 1891), plate 74.
Puffball
Red yeast rice (Monascus purpureus), plate: Monascus purpureus culture on rice, hongqu (red yeast rice)
Red yeast rice
Reishi (Ganoderma lingzhi), plate: Ganoderma lucidum (reishi)
Reishi
Roquefort mould (Penicillium roqueforti), plate: Penicillium roqueforti (Roquefort mould)
Roquefort mould
Saffron milk cap (Lactarius deliciosus), plate: Lactarius deliciosus (saffron milk cap)
Saffron milk cap
Shiitake (Lentinula edodes), plate: Lentinula edodes (shiitake)
Shiitake
The sickener (Russula emetica), plate: Russula emetica (the sickener)
The sickener
Stinkhorn (Phallus impudicus), plate: Phallus impudicus (common stinkhorn)
Stinkhorn
Teonanácatl (Psilocybe mexicana), plate: Psilocybe mexicana (teonanacatl)
Teonanácatl
Tinder fungus (Fomes fomentarius), plate: Boletus fomentarius (now Fomes fomentarius)
Tinder fungus
Troche of agaric (Laricifomes officinalis), plate: Agaric on the larch
Troche of agaric
Truffle (Tuber melanosporum), plate: The white truffle (1) and the black truffle (2), each with its spores: a botanical plate.
Truffle
Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor), plate: Trametes versicolor (turkey tail)
Turkey tail
Winter-grain mould (Fusarium sporotrichioides), plate: Fusarium verticillioides (winter-grain mould, representative Fusarium), spores and conidiophores under the microscope
Winter-grain mould
Witches’ butter (Exidia glandulosa), plate: Tremella mesenterica ("Trémelle mésentérique")
Witches’ butter
Yellow stainer (Agaricus xanthodermus), plate: Agaricus xanthodermus (yellow stainer)
Yellow stainer

Resins & Woods 11

Agarwood (Aquilaria), plate: Agarwood tree
Agarwood
Asafoetida (Ferula assa-foetida), plate: Asafoetida
Asafoetida
Benzoin (Styrax benzoin), plate: Benzoin tree
Benzoin
Cassia wood (Cinnamomum aromaticum), plate: Cassia
Cassia wood
Dragon’s blood (Dracaena cinnabari), plate: Dragon tree of Orotava before 1819
Dragon’s blood
Frankincense (Boswellia sacra), plate: Frankincense tree
Frankincense
Galbanum (Ferula gummosa), plate: Galbanum
Galbanum
Labdanum (Cistus ladanifer), plate: Gum cistus
Labdanum
Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha), plate: Myrrh
Myrrh
Storax calamite (Styrax officinalis), plate: Storax
Storax calamite
Turpentine, plate: Terebinth
Turpentine

Minerals 8

Antimony, plate: Stibnite
Antimony
Glass powder, plate: Venetian cristallo glass, 16th–17th century
Glass powder
Gold leaf, plate: The goldbeater
Gold leaf
Jet, oil of, plate: Jet, Holzmaden, Germany
Jet, oil of
Niter, pills of, plate: Refining saltpetre
Niter, pills of
Olive-wood ash lye, plate: Olive
Olive-wood ash lye
Sulfur, plate: Sulfur, Floristella mine, Enna, Sicily
Sulfur
Vine ash, plate: Vine
Vine ash

Animal Substances 9

Ambergris, plate: Ambergris
Ambergris
Civet, plate: Civet
Civet
Coral, red (Corallium rubrum), plate: Red coral (fig
Coral, red
Crow’s gall, plate: Raven
Crow’s gall
Fox’s heart, plate: Fox
Fox’s heart
Kermes, plate: The kermes oak, “arbre de la graine d’escarlatte.” Claude Duret, Histoire admirable des plantes (1605), woodcut.
Kermes
Musk, plate: Musk
Musk
Pearls, prepared, plate: Pearl oyster with pearl
Pearls, prepared
Wax, plate: The wax chandler
Wax

Compound Medicines 32

Apples, syrup of, plate: Apple
Apples, syrup of
Armenian stone, pills of, plate: Azurite, Burra Mine, South Australia
Armenian stone, pills of
Caraway broth (Carum carvi), plate: Caraway
Caraway broth
Cochia pills, plate: Scammony
Cochia pills
Compound fumitory (Fumaria officinalis), plate: Fumitory
Compound fumitory
Cordial flowers and fruits, plate: Bugloss
Cordial flowers and fruits
Cyprus powder, plate: Oak moss (fig
Cyprus powder
Diacatholicon, plate: Albarello for diacatholicon, Italy, 17th century
Diacatholicon
Diamoschu, sweet, plate: Musk deer
Diamoschu, sweet
Diaphenicon, plate: Date palm
Diaphenicon
Diatrion piperion, plate: Black pepper
Diatrion piperion
Foetid pills, plate: Sagapenum resin
Foetid pills
Gallia moschata, plate: Pomander, Germany, 16th century
Gallia moschata
Golden pills, plate: Drug jar and pill tile, Lambeth delftware
Golden pills
Hamech, confection of, plate: Myrobalan
Hamech, confection of
Hiera of Pacchius, plate: Colocynth
Hiera of Pacchius
Hiera with agaric (Laricifomes officinalis), plate: Pharmacy jar for hiera picra
Hiera with agaric
Indian and Arabian pills, plate: Aloe
Indian and Arabian pills
Indian electuary, greater and lesser, plate: Turpeth, Operculina turpethum
Indian electuary, greater and lesser
Lapis lazuli, pills of, plate: Lapis lazuli, National Museum of Natural History, Washington
Lapis lazuli, pills of
Lenitive electuary, plate: Senna
Lenitive electuary
Marking-nut electuary (Semecarpus anacardium), plate: Marking nut
Marking-nut electuary
Mithridate, plate: Drug jar for mithridate, Annibale Fontana, Milan, 1580–90.
Mithridate
Oil of bricks, plate: Alembic with beak
Oil of bricks
Olive oil and holy water, plate: Olive
Olive oil and holy water
Oxymel, and oxymel of squill, plate: Squill
Oxymel, and oxymel of squill
Passarino’s white powder, plate: The alchemist’s laboratory
Passarino’s white powder
Polypody of mercurialis, syrup of (Polypodium vulgare), plate: Polypody
Polypody of mercurialis, syrup of
Rosemary rice water, plate: Rosmarinus officinalis (Gebräuchlicher Rosmarin)
Rosemary rice water
Sorrel, syrup of, plate: Sorrel
Sorrel, syrup of
Species Pleris Archonticon, plate: Albarello, Italy, 1520–80
Species Pleris Archonticon
Theriac, plate: Drug jar for theriac, Italy, 18th century
Theriac

Food & Drink 7

Barley water, plate: Barley
Barley water
Damascus prunes (Prunus insititia), plate: Plum
Damascus prunes
Honeyed wine and honeyed water, plate: Albarello for honey of roses, Italy, 17th century
Honeyed wine and honeyed water
Malmsey, plate: Malvasia grapes
Malmsey
Raisins, plate: Grape vine
Raisins
Spirit of wine, plate: Distillation
Spirit of wine
Sweet almond, oil of, plate: Almond
Sweet almond, oil of

Blessed Objects 18

Agnus Dei, plate: Wax Agnus Dei of Pius IX, 1858
Agnus Dei
Aloe, plate: Albrecht Dürer, The Entombment (1512)
Aloe
Bells, plate: The bell-founder
Bells
Blessed ashes, plate: Ashes of Ash Wednesday
Blessed ashes
Blessed bread, plate: Pascal Dagnan-Bouveret, Le Pain bénit (1885).
Blessed bread
Blessed candles, plate: The Purification (Candlemas)
Blessed candles
Blessed herbs, plate: Herb bundle for the Feast of the Assumption
Blessed herbs
Blessed oil, plate: Chrismatory, France, c
Blessed oil
Blessed paper, plate: Sheet of swallowing pictures (Schluckbildchen), Mariazell, 18th century, engraving.
Blessed paper
Breve, plate: Breverl, folded amulet with IHS
Breve
Crucifix, plate: Crucifix, Spain (?), 16th century
Crucifix
Gold, frankincense, and myrrh, plate: Geoffroy Tory, The Adoration of the Magi (1525), woodcut.
Gold, frankincense, and myrrh
Holy water, plate: Holy water stoup, Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, Venice
Holy water
Onycha and stacte, plate: Operculum of a sea snail (Euspira catena)
Onycha and stacte
Palm and olive branches, plate: Palmesel, Steinen, Switzerland, c
Palm and olive branches
Rosary, plate: Rosary recovered from the Mary Rose (sank 1545)
Rosary
Salt, plate: Salt cellar, Urbino, c
Salt
Scapular, plate: Scapular of the Archconfraternity of Our Lady of Consolation and Cincture
Scapular