Living Knowledge Network
Unearthed: Plants as medicine
A blog by Lucy Bell
Unearthed: The Power of Gardening is a free display at The Mitchell Library (2 May – 10 August 2025) exploring the transformative, enriching and sometimes radical power of gardening. Inspired by the British Library’s major exhibition, Glasgow Libraries is one of 30 library services celebrating gardening through the UK-wide Living Knowledge Network.
This is the second in a series of blogs bringing together images and information from the exhibition, and has the theme of "plants as medicine".
Medicinal plants
William Rhind's A history of the vegetable kingdom embracing the physiology of plants with their uses to man and the lower animals and their applications to the arts, manufacture and domestic economy was printed in Edinburgh, London & Glasgow in 1855.
Rhind was a member of the Royal College of Surgeons and produced several books on geology, zoology and science.
On the plates below we find four plants which have been used in medicine for treating a variety of illnesses.
Rhind has brought together these medicinal plants from across the globe, highlighting humanity’s use of herbal medicine, which is a practise that remains commonplace today.
You can read this book in the Mitchell Library or, if you can't visit, why not have a look at an online copy on the Biodiversity Heritage Library?
Rhubarb and Aloe
The rhubarb pictured here is also known as Chinese Rhubarb and has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years to relieve constipation.
Aloe has been used to treat skin conditions, such as rashes, and has been used to soothe burnt skin. This aloe (aloe succotrina) is a variant originating in South Africa, though the aloe is believed to originate from the Arabian Peninsula.
Medicinal plants: Rhubarb and Aloe
from Rhind's A History of the Vegetable Kingdom
Gentian and Cajeput
Though now restricted in use due to being endangered, Gentiana lutea was used to improve the functioning of the stomach, and its intense bitter taste was also used in creating aperitifs and liqueurs in France. Finally, leaves from the Cajeput, native to Southeast Asia and Australia, are distilled into an oil which can be used as a decongestant as well as for topical pain relief, and is used in products such as Tiger Balm.
Medicinal plants: Gentian and Cajeput
from Rhind's A History of the Vegetable Kingdom
Check out the other blogs in this series.
Unearthed: John and Jane Loudon
You can find out more by visiting our exhibition, which is open in the Granville Street exhibition area from 2nd May - 10th August 2025.