A Modern Herbal - by Maud Grieve

"A Modern Herbal" by Maud Grieve, first published in 1931, is one of the most comprehensive and influential herbal reference texts of the 20th century. The two-volume work covers over 800 herbs with substantial detail on historical use, cultivation, harvesting, and traditional preparations. Despite being nearly a century old, the work remains a foundational reference for Western herbalists and is still in print.

About Maud Grieve

Maud Grieve (1858-1941) was a British herbalist who founded and ran a medicinal herb garden at "The Whins" in Buckinghamshire, England, during WWI when European wartime drug shortages drove demand for domestic herbal alternatives. Her herb gardens trained students in commercial herb cultivation. "A Modern Herbal" represented over 30 years of her practical work and research and has remained continuously in print since 1931 - a remarkable achievement for any reference work.

Key Facts

Title

A Modern Herbal

Author

Maud Grieve (1858-1941)

First published

1931

Format

Two-volume reference

Coverage

800+ herbs with substantial historical and practical detail

Style

Comprehensive reference, organized alphabetically

What's in the Book?

For each herb, "A Modern Herbal" provides: historical and folk use across multiple cultures; cultivation and harvesting guidance; traditional preparation methods; medicinal properties as understood in 1931; references to historical herbal texts (Culpeper, Gerard, Parkinson, and many others); cross-references to related herbs. The work is encyclopedic in scope and serves as both a working reference and a window into early 20th-century Western herbalism.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is "A Modern Herbal" still relevant?
The comprehensive coverage of 800+ herbs with historical and practical detail remains unmatched in many areas.

Who was Maud Grieve?
A British herbalist (1858-1941) who founded medicinal herb gardens during WWI and wrote the most comprehensive English-language herbal of her era.

Is the medicine information current?
The book reflects 1931 understanding; modern research has updated many specific recommendations. The historical and traditional use information remains valuable.

Is it suitable for beginners?
The book is a reference rather than an introduction; beginners may find it overwhelming. Suitable for intermediate-to-advanced reference use.

How is it organized?
Alphabetically by common name, with substantial cross-referencing.

Is it still in print?
Yes; "A Modern Herbal" has remained continuously in print since 1931.