The physick garden - Alice Smith

**Shortlisted for the V&A Illustration Awards 2024**

The intriguingtales of the plants that have been used to heal andcure our bodies, brought to life with beautifully surreal illustrations from Alice Smith.

Since the dawn of time, people have used plants as remedies, to both positive and deadly effect. These herbal treatments have become enshrined in folklore, in old wives' tales and in the curious names we have given local species. Many have also found their way into modern medicine cabinets - but not always in the form you would expect.

This book imagines a physick garden of healing plants that have been used across the globe by different generations. But were Italian Renaissance women dicing with death when theydropped belladonna in their eyes?Can comfrey really be used to heal broken bones?And can St John's Wort scare away more than bad spirits?

Taking you around the body, from the brain to the bowels, The Physick Gardenintroduces 80 plants with curious medicinal pasts.With striking illustrations and lively tales,this bookwill show thatsometimes there is method in the madness.