In an age when chemical and industrial solutions to the problems of healing are under scrutiny, Simon Mills has provided a textbook of herbal medicine for modern Western culture. Whilst his research is rooted in ancient and medieval herbal lore from around the world, Mills combines these traditions with the principles of modern scientific medicine. Alongside an introduction to the history and philosophy of herbalism, it also includes an account of human physiology, which sets the effects of herbs on the human body in modern context. Mills also describes traditional herbal pathology and therapeutics and suggests up-to-date research methods to validate herbalism so that it can take its rightful place among the medical sciences. A reference section contains analysis of some 60 key herbs, with descriptions of their appearance and habitats; what parts of the plants are used for what medical purposes; and how to prepare the plants.