Healing Threads: Traditional Medicines of the Highlands and Islands - Softcover

Beith, Mary

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1912476088 ISBN 13: 9781912476084

Publisher: Origin, 2018

Synopsis

Gaelic medical heritage emerges through detailed traditional remedies, rituals, and herbs shaping Highland healing practices.

The Gaelic pharmacy was rich, the sources of which lay almost entirely in nature and were subject to the minimum of preparation. Much of the rich store of material comes from the great legacy of medieval Gaelic manuscripts. In more recent times, papers of medical societies have shown how traditional methods and cures are still of value to modern medicine.

In addition to a general historical background, which traces the story of Highland folk tradition from earliest times, Mary Beith describes a whole variety of traditional remedies, cures and practices, from the healing properties of stone and metal, animals and insects, to rituals, charms and incantations. Her book also includes a list of the most commonly used herbs. Clearly written with extensive source notes, Healing Threads is a unique introduction to a subject that has fascinated generation after generation.

About this title

About the Author

Mary Beith is a writer, lecturer and journalist who contributes articles on archaeology, folklore, traditional medicinesand current Highland issues to newspapers and magazines. She lives in Sutherland.

Edition details

• Publisher: Origin
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1912476088
• ISBN 13: 9781912476084
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 368