February 16, 2026
The Roots of Healing: Six Centuries of Medical Herbals is on view at Sterling Memorial Library from October 20, 2025 to March 22, 2026. The exhibit traces six centuries of “herbals” — guides to the medicinal properties of plants — highlighting the enduring intersection of art, science, and the humanities in the pursuit of better medicine. The long history of medical herbals—written descriptions of plants and their healing properties— is a history of revolution. An illustrated herbal, or “book of simples,” is not only an index of plant cures; it represents a world view, uniting scientific observation with an appreciation of nature’s beauty. As they developed from the Middle Ages to the present day, medical herbals reveal an evolving understanding of the human body, of nature, and how we organize knowledge and see our place in the world. They intertwine art, botany, human physiology, and spirituality.