In the 1462 Kräuterbuch by Johannes Hartlieb, the first fully illustrated herbal from the incunabula period of German history, the author includes 160 illustrations alongside descriptions of plants’ medicinal uses. Derived from earlier works, the book follows a traditional system of botanical classification and includes chapters on drugs from both plants and animals. Hartlieb’s text combines botanical knowledge with medieval humorism, suggesting remedies such as using cabbage for headaches and stinging nettle for toothaches. The book also delves into the magical properties of certain plants, with Hartlieb cautioning against revealing the secrets of vervain. Hartlieb’s diverse interests also encompassed topics such as lunar divination and forbidden arts, making him a significant figure in late medieval magic and scholarship.
https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/hartlieb-book-of-herbs/