From School Library Journal
Grade 9 Up-- An irresponsible bias toward, and an appreciation of, the so-called magical arts permeates this conglomeration of anthropological data and herbal lore. In addition, a comparison with other readily available texts points out deficiencies in research and judgment. Medicinal Plants & Their History (Dover, 1974) by Wheelwright, while dated, has a more thorough discussion of historical and cultural traditions that utilized plants. The Dictionary of Healing Plants by Dorfler (Blandford, 1989) has a clearer presentation of ingredients, uses, and side effects. Compare the entries on the modest betel leaf. In A Modern Herbal (Dover, 1971), a somewhat anecdotal compendium, Grieve notes that the Indian practice of chewing betel is for mastication and narcotic benefits. Ratsch adds that it is used as an "offering to the Gods" and to "kindle sensuality." Contrast the entries for ergot , a fungus found on rye and other grains. The Dictionary of Healing Plants gives clear warnings of its very poisonous nature and toxic effects. Ratsch speculates it was "probably" used in the Eleusinian mysteries and "may" have played a role at the oracle of Delphi. He misses an opportunity to refer to recent theories on the effects of ergotism during the Salem Witchcraft crisis in 1692, but notes medieval uses of it to cause uterine contractions and more modern uses for "encouraging clairvoyance."-- Mary H. Cole, Polytechnic Preparatory Country Day School, Brooklyn
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Product Description
Since time immemorial, certain plants have been hailed as magical because they have the capacity to change consciousness. Smoked, chewed, eaten, or inhaled, they allow direct experience of alternate realities which seem as real as our common one-and often a great deal more intense. Anthropologist Christian Ratsch explains the botanical classifications and pharmacology of many of these plants and examines their roles in different cultures. The result is a book that offers valuable insights into human encounters with altered states of consciousness.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
