Egerton Tractatus de Herbis Facsimile Edition

The Egerton Tractatus de Herbis stands as one of the most valued treasures within The British Library's collections. Crafted in Italy around 1300 AD, its importance is underscored by its likely status as the initial manuscript for the Tractatus de herbis, a medieval botanical guide that profoundly influenced the study of medicinal plants from the fourteenth to the sixteenth centuries. This work boasts a comprehensive collection of knowledge on plant-based remedies, drawing from Greek, Roman, and Arabic traditions, and features over 400 botanical illustrations. The text spans a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, and minerals, ranging from quince and mercury to turnips and tamarind, and provides methods for preparing these elements. It also offers insights into the aphrodisiac, cosmetic, and mystical attributes of plants, while the margins are adorned with vibrant depictions of serpents, scorpions, and feral canines, hinting at the perils associated with their bites.