In the pre-modern times while medicine was still relying on classical authorities on herbal
remedies a new engagement with the plant world emerged. This volume follows intertwined
strands in the study of plants examining newly introduced species that captured physicians'
curiosity expanded their therapeutic arsenal and challenged their long-held medical theories.
The development of herbaria the creation of botanical gardens and the inspection of plants
contributed to a new understanding of the vegetal world. Increased attention to plants led to
account for their therapeutic virtues to test and produce new drugs to recognize the physical
properties of plants and to develop a new plant science and medicine.
