Inspired by the profound literary history of healing, this compelling book explores the cognitive and physical effects of words in relation to the healing process. Drawing on research in cognitive linguistics applied to medieval linguistic and cognitive philosophy, Louise M. Bishop presents a highly original and theoretically challenging examination of the intersection between medical manuscript and literary texts, such as the Canterbury Tales and Piers Plowman. The art of healing is treated in light of words and context, social needs, cognitive presence, material reality, and political necessity. Carefully researched and powerfully argued, Words, Stones, and Herbs convincingly establishes the healing power of words in late medieval and Tudor England.