The magician’s herbal, in plain English
A medieval book of magic lists 153 plants. It knew its poisons, invented its love charms, and got snakebite dangerously wrong.
Department
Community Outreach
Outreach articles from the Australian Institute of Pharmacognosy about its work, its publications and how readers can follow and support its research.
-
-
Andrographis, the cold-and-flu herb, in plain English
That winter cold-and-flu packet may contain andrographis. What the TGA found about sudden allergic reactions, and what to watch for.
-
Syrian rue, in plain English
Esfand smoke, the evil eye and a seed that blocks an enzyme your medicines need: what harmal does, what the law says, and whether it works.
-
Crab’s eye, in plain English
The red bead with the black cap on souvenir jewellery: what it does, the harmless look-alikes, and what to do if a child chews one.
-
Why a Small Research Institute Needs Its Community
How the Australian Institute of Pharmacognosy works, why new monographs keep arriving, and simple ways to follow and share our research.