Books about medicinal plants, herbs, Lesvos and more

A listing of reading material on a wide variety of subjects relevant to the objectives of the LPMCCL (PD: public domain). More specialised reports are listed here

  1. What is an Animal? edited by Tim Ingold. A unique interdisciplinary challenge to our assumptions about animals and largely unexplored aspects of the understanding of our common humanity.
  2. Theophrastus: Enquiry into Plants, vol. 1 translated by Sir Arthur Hort. One of the most important and influential books of natural history written in ancient times. (PD)
  3. Dioscorides: De Materia Medica translated by T.A. Osbaldeston. Dioscorides’ 5-volume book was written in the 1st century CE and was the most important book on plant medicine until the modern era. In all, about 600 plants are described and around 1000 medicines made from them. This translation is available for free download in pdf format.
  4. The Complete Herbal by Nicholas Culpeper. A 17th century source of pharmaceutical and herbal lore. (PD)
  5. The Art of Perfumery, and Methods of Obtaining the Odors of Plants by Piesse. A Victorian manual for extracting essential oils and mixing perfumes, powders and cosmetics. (PD)
  6. Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure by William Thomas Fernie. The term “Herbal Simple” refers to any homely curative remedy consisting of one ingredient only, and that of a vegetable nature. This book examines the positive remedial actions of numerous herbal plants in terms of their constituents and their curing capacity. (PD)
  7. The Old English Herbals by Eleanour Sinclair Rohde. The book includes descriptions of Anglo-Saxon herbals, early printed herbals, herbals from “the New World,” the history of the last great English herbalist John Parkinson, and late-seventeenth century herbals. (PD)
  8. Drug Plants Under Cultivation by W. W. Stockberger. This book gives general suggestions relative to the culture, harvesting, distillation, yield, marketing, and commercial prospects for drug plants. (PD)
  9. The Green Pharmacy by James A. Duke. A best-selling guide to the world of herbal healing.
  10. The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook by James A. Duke. A complete guide to 180 healing herbs with descriptions and history, therapeutic uses, medicinal properties, prescription counterparts, dosage options, safety and effectiveness rating, and precautions.
  11. The Complete Guide To Herbal Medicines by Charles W. Fetrow and Juan R. Avila. Reliable, and accessible information available on more than three hundred herbal medicines.
  12. Encyclopedia Of Herbal Medicine by Andrew Chevalier. 550 Herbs and Remedies for Common Ailments.
  13. A Birdwatching Guide to Lesvos by Steve Dudley. A valuable guide to birding in Lesvos published in 2009. The book has detailed, accurate information on birding sites together with road maps and helpful tips, local tavernas, petrol stations, etc.
  14. Birding on the Greek Island of Lesvos by Richard Brooks. A guide to birding in Lesvos published in 1998 which is still a useful reference book for those birding on Lesvos.
  15. Lesbos – Greece by Alex Tabak. A visitor’s guide to Lesvos with descriptions of the flora and fauna, landscape and traditional land use, plus 17 detailed routes and 23 sites with indications on where and how to find birds, wildlife and flora.
  16. The Red Data Book of Rare and Threatened Plants of Greece by D. Phoitos, T. Constantinides and G. Kamari. This book is in Greek but is richly illustrated with many photographs of the plants referred to. It is available for purchase in book form or may alternatively be downloaded as two separate pdf files (Vol.1; Vol.2).
  17. Physicians’ desk reference for herbal medicine (3rd edition) A guide to herbal remedies with scientific and common names, indications, and usage. Featured are clinical studies results, when available, and usage in Chinese, Indian, and homeopathic medicine, when applicable. The guide also includes information on possible interactions with prescription drugs and the management of those interactions.