Botanical Curses and Poisons: The Shadow-Lives of Plants

by Fez Inkwright

Book Overview

Discover the folklore and history of our most toxic plants through this beautifully produced, gorgeously illustrated compendium--a captivating coffee table book for enthusiasts of witchcraft books and botanical knowledge alike.

"If you drink much from a bottle marked 'poison, ' it is almost certain to disagree with you, sooner or later." - Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

In both history and fiction, some of the most dramatic, notorious deaths have been through poisonings. Concealed and deliberate, it's a crime that requires advance planning and that for many centuries could go virtually undetected. And yet there is a fine line between healing and killing: the difference lies only in the dosage In Botanical Curses and Poisons, Fez Inkwright, a knowledgeable kitchen witch, returns to folkloric and historical archives to reveal the fascinating, untold stories behind a variety of lethal plants, witching herbs, and fungi.

Going from A to Z, she covers everything from apple (think of the poisoned fruit in "Snow White") and the hallucinogenic angel's trumpet to laurel, which emits toxic fumes, to oleander (a deadly ornamental shrub), with each plant beautifully illustrated by the author herself, making it a spellbinding spell book and a feast for the eyes.

This enthralling treasury is packed with insight, lore, and the revealed mysteries of everyday flora--including the prevalence of poisoning in ancient Rome, its use in religion and magic, and common antidotes--making this the perfect addition to the library of gardeners, writers, folklorists, witches, and scientists alike. Whether you seek knowledge of plant books or a comprehensive plant encyclopedia, this poisonous plants book is a must-have addition to your collection, delving into curses, chemistry, and the captivating world of botanical witchcraft books.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1454956712
• ISBN13: 9781454956716
• Release Date: March 2024
• Publisher: Sterling Ethos
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.8" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Really Enjoyed It!

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book but I was very pleasantly surprised. I have really enjoyed reading it! It was well written with a upbeat sort of tone, organized well, had lovely drawings to accompany the writing and was just all around easy to read. Full of old folk tales, myths/legends and generally good knowledge about plants, I was shocked to learn just how many of the plants in my own yard were some level of toxic. You'll be wrapped in good stories about each plant while also learning a bit of knowledge.