Leechbooks

Leechbooks are ancient medical texts from medieval England, specifically the "Leechbook of Bald," a collection of remedies and treatments compiled in the 10th century. The term "leech" refers to a healer or physician, derived from Old English. These books contain recipes and herbal remedies for various ailments, reflecting the medical knowledge of the time, which combined folklore, observation, and some early herbal science. Leechbooks are invaluable for understanding historical medicine and offer insights into how people treated illnesses before modern medicine evolved. They serve as a window into the culture, beliefs, and practices of early medieval society.