ARTIST: Elizabeth Blackwell
MEDIUM: Engraving, hand colored,
DATE: 1737.
EDITION SIZE: Sheet 17 3/8 x 11" (44.2 x 28 cm).
DESCRIPTION: Plate 92. From "A Curious Herbal, containing five hundred cuts of the most useful plants which are now used in the practice of Physick....” Drawn from life, engraved and hand colored by Elizabeth Blackwell. After learning that an accurate account on herbals was needed, Blackwell moved closer to the Chelsea Physic Garden in London (founded in 1673 as the Apothecaries' Garden - for the training of apprentices in identifying plants) to observe plants under cultivation. This book illustrates many of the then ‘unknown new world' plants as well as more familiar and was used by physicians as a reference to medicinal plants. <br><br> The Goat's Rue, also known as Galega (or Galega Officinalis), is native to Europe, Northern Africa and Western Asia. The plant was pivotal in the creation of metformin, a glucose-lowering agent used for type 2 diabetes, thanks to it's high content of galegine. Historically it was used to support the production of breast milk, but there is little modern evidence supporting its effectiveness. It was also used a diuretic.
ADDITIONAL INFO:
CONDITION: Good condition. Minor staining along lower left paper edge.
REFERENCE: Dunthorne #42.
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