Medieval European Herbal Medicine (5th-15th Century)

Against the backdrop of history, let’s delve into the organizational structures that overlaid herbal medicine during the Middle Ages, a period often referred to as the Dark Ages. This era was marked by plagues, wars, inquisitions, and the persecution of ‘witches,’ with widespread poverty and illness due to both deprivation and indulgent social habits, combined with poor sanitation. Amidst these challenges, those who turned to herbs for healing often found themselves better off than those treated with the harsh medicines of the time.