PREFACE
Each book has its own fate and destiny. While working on material in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, the authoress travelled daily, since June 1964, from Dearborn, Michigan, United States of America, and it is estimated she covered over 100,000 miles before the manuscript was ready for publication. The book was published in 1969 in India. The first two editions were published far away from North America. This our third edition
( Library) and fourth edition( Royal) is published in London, England.
Devotion by, and efforts of the authoress were rewarded in many countries. Letters of appreciation and reviews were received in many languages: Anglo-American, Russian, German, Hungarian, Dutch, Belgian, Lithuanian, Japanese, Talu, Hindi and many others referred to in letters post factum. There are many favourable factors in relation to the book. Great progress is evident in Folk Medicine and Medical Botanics in most countries including Japan, China, Russia, India and African countries and Pacific Islands, and all are restoring the Ancient Healing Arts and applying modern methods to further study. Therefore most of mankind is now deeply involved and dependent upon Medical Botanics. In Europe and in the American continent interest in the Medical Botanics is developing greatly, especially in American Indian Medicine.
American Indian problems have been commented on daily in the American press and abroad. This has created interest around the world, not only in the political situations of the American Indian, but in their History, Culture, Arts and Medicine.
The authoress was very objective in her research. She collected, classified, and critically analysed the material and sources, and she found it advantageous to incorporate material which had been specially translated for her book. Material was included which otherwise would not have been available for many years to come.
The book is of great and growing influence. It is used by professionals many of whom have revised their opinions and have become very cautious of using older methods. Gardeners started to grow Indian herbs for their own use. Many people started to grow and collect medical plants commercially: Ginseng( Panax Q), Catnip, Lobelia( Indian Tobacco) Chaga to name only a few. Many projects, excursions, discussions were organized in the high schools, universities and clubs. Eventually Indian Medicine was studied. The authoress very much appreciated the knowledge that the American Indians recognized her work and gave her advice and encouragement. We wish to point out some technical points and changes, and we have introduced new material and illustrations. The bibliography was re-arranged. Some publications were omitted but some newly introduced. In re-classifying, the authoress followed the principle that literature and books that are popular and easily available were replaced by the new books, especially in foreign languages, were translated and annotated especially for this book.
Disregarding the bibliography in general, and only considering that which Merco Herbalist has on hand, it is impossible to contain everything in one book, so the bibliography was limited to some selective works only. Although the book is now of a slightly smaller format, the economic use of typography has enabled a reduction in size to be made without limiting the contents of this edition.
The misprints and errata of the first edition have been corrected.