Table Of ContentHERBALISM THROUGH THE
AGES
by Ralph Whiteside Kerr
© 1969, 1997 and 2015 Supreme Grand Lodge Of The Ancient and
Mystical Order Rosae Crucis. All Rights Reserved.
This publication is for your personal, private use only, and may not be used
for any commercial purpose. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
distributed, displayed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including
photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical means, including
information storage and retrieval systems, without the express and prior
written permission of Supreme Grand Lodge Of The Ancient and Mystical
Order Rosae Crucis, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in
reviews. For permission requests, please contact: Supreme Grand Lodge Of
The Ancient And Mystical Order Rosae Crucis, Inc., Rosicrucian Park, 1342
Naglee Ave, San Jose, California 95126.
The information in this book is distributed on an “as is” basis, without
warranty. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this
work, neither the author nor the publisher shall have any liability to any
person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be
caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this book.
CONTENTS
Foreword
PART ONE - LEGEND, ANTIQUITY, AND EARLY HISTORY
1. From the Dawn of Civilization
2. Aromas for the Gods
3. Mysterious Stonehenge
4. God’s Gift to Man
PART TWO - FOLKLORE AND TRANSITION
5. “Everything Is Becoming”
6. Herbs in the Colonies
7. Indian Culture Regions
8. Indian Herbal Rituals
9. The Earliest Agriculturists
PART THREE - THE AMERICAN HERITAGE
10. Herbs Are Health Builders
11. Nature Knows Best
12. Food, Medicine, and Pleasure
PART FOUR - EPILOGUE
13. For Reference and Information
FOREWORD
T
RADITION, FOLKLORE, LITERATURE, History, Science, and the arts
all play a vital part in the study of herbs. I first became intensely interested in
Herbalism years ago, when I was doing my University Postgraduate work at
the University of Montana. One of the courses was Research Work in
Systematic Botany. The basic text and reference work was. Rydberg’s Flora
of the Rocky Mountain States and Adjacent Plains. Combined with this
fascinating field work in Nature’s laboratory was a consideration of Plant and
Animal Ecology —how plants affect each other and the mutual influence of
plants and animals, including man.
In the very beginning of the human race, we find the Bible reference: “And
God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, that is upon the
face of the earth.” (Genesis 1:29) Herbs have been an integral part of all life,
human, animal, and vegetable, since time began.
Much of the material covered by this book is the result of knowledge
gained through the years since 1925, when I first became deeply interested in
the study of Herbs, in my University work. In addition to study, this included
much research work and experimentation. Some of the references read or
consulted are listed:
For accurate, systematic Botanical knowledge, Rydberg’s monumental
work mentioned above is recommended. For Historical and Traditional
information, study Dioscorides of Ancient Greece; Culpepper (1653); John
Gerrard, London, 1597; William Coles, 1657; Funk & Wagnalls’ New
Standard Encyclopedia; The Encyclopaedia Britannica; the writings of Pliny;
and FLORA (1799-Author unknown). Other references included
FOLKLORE AND ODYSSEY OF FOOD AND MEDICINAL PLANTS, by
the Lehners: HERBS AND THE FRAGRANT GARDEN, by Brownlow;
STALKING THE HEALTHFUL HERBS, by Euell Gibbons; HERBS, by
Dorothy Childs Hogner; HERBS, by Webster; PLANT DRUGS THAT
CHANGED THE WORLD, by Norman Taylor; ALL THE PLANTS OF
THE BIBLE, by Walker; HERBAL, by Krutch; THE SCIENCE AND ART
OF PERFUMERY, by Sagarin; THE FRAGRANT PATH, by Louise Beebee
Wilder; SEEDS AND SPROUTS FOR LIFE and other books by Dr. Bernard
Jensen of Hidden Valley Health Ranch, Lake Wohlford, R.F.D. #4,
Escondido, California. Our gratitude goes to Dr. Jensen for many courtesies
afforded during frequent visits, observations, and researches at Hidden
Valley, where Herbalism reigns supreme.
In every instance where a direct quotation has been made from any
published work, permission has been secured and grateful acknowledgment is
made. We are especially thankful for the outstanding, valuable research work
and excellent suggestions by Miss Muriel Daniels, of Oakdale, Long Island,
New York. Gratitude is also expressed to the staff of the Escondido Public
Library for their cooperation and encouragement.
RALPH WHITESIDE KERR
912 Chestnut Street
Escondido, California 92025
PART ONE
LEGEND, ANTIQUITY, AND
EARLY HISTORY
