Doctrine of Signatures

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10-19-2020
Last update 10-19-2020
The Doctrine of Signatures:

Perhaps the first major step in creating the body of knowledge we know as "Materia Medica"

Where did it start, how does it work, or even as we still use herbal applications based on it. Does it work? Can we still try and apply it to the plants around us every day? Have you every tried using it?

The abstract below is a good description, I believe and while the MSS is interesting, it for me is hard reading.

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>>Abstract

The Doctrine of Signatures (DOS) is found throughout the world. Most scholars dismiss it as a “primitive” or “prescientific” idea. Despite its long history, the doctrine has had little critical review. A careful evaluation of signatures suggests four things. (1) There is no evidence that morphological plant signatures ever led to the discovery of medicinal properties. Considering DOS in this manner is unproductive and largely untestable. (2) Signatures are post hoc attributions rather than a priori clues to the utility of medicinal plants. (3) It is productive to redefine signatures to include organoleptic properties associated with therapeutic value. Plants with strong odors or bitter tastes, for example, commonly are found in pharmacopoeias. (4) DOS should be considered for what it primarily is—a way of disseminating information. DOS fundamentally is a mnemonic and, therefore, is exceedingly valuable in traditional cultures.

Citation Download Citation
Bradley C. Bennett "Doctrine of Signatures: An Explanation of Medicinal Plant Discovery or Dissemination of Knowledge?," Economic Botany 61(3), 246-255, (1 September 2007). https://doi.org/10.1663/0013-0001(2007)61[246:DOSAEO]2.0.CO;2

I will not try to copy it here, but recommend reading it.


Reference to MSS BLOG PICTURE:

Signatura Rerum, or the signature of all things : shewing the sign, and signification of the severall forms and shapes in the creation.




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