Did you know that behind Eclectic Herb is a library filled with vintage herbal texts, antique remedies, and botanical artifacts that span centuries of plant-based medicine?
Virtually Take a Peek at the Eclectic Institute Library
For those who may be new here, welcome. I’m glad you’re joining me for a virtual look inside the Eclectic Institute Library—a private collection of botanical books, Victorian-era herbal artifacts, and pieces of Eclectic medical history that I’ve gathered over many years.
This library was created in memory of my late husband, Dr. Ed Alstat. Ed was a pharmacist, herbalist, and naturopathic physician who devoted his life to preserving and advancing the roots of Eclectic and Naturopathic Medicine. He founded the Eclectic Institute with a simple but powerful mission: to keep plant-based healing alive and accessible. His passion lit the spark, and caring for this library has become one of the ways I continue that work.
I’ll admit, I have a deep love for herbal history—especially American herbalism and the Eclectic Era, when physicians began carefully documenting case histories and outcomes from herbal treatments. I’m endlessly fascinated by how much of modern medicine has its roots in plants, and by the fact that many early pharmaceutical companies began as herbal ventures.
While the library itself isn’t open to the public, this blog is my way of opening the door a little wider. It’s an invitation to herbalists, naturopaths, students, historians, and anyone curious about plants to explore these stories, revisit old wisdom, and reconnect with the herbs that have earned their place through time. My hope is that what you find here sparks curiosity, inspires your own work, and deepens your relationship with the living tradition of herbalism.
Today's Theme: Herbs that have stood the test of time
There are countless plants recorded in old herbals, but only a small number appear again and again across generations. These are the herbs we return to—not out of habit or tradition alone, but because they consistently did what herbalists needed them to do.
In the Eclectic texts and vintage remedy books, hawthorn, elderberry, and rosemary show up with remarkable regularity. Their continued use was driven by observation. Physicians and herbalists watched how these plants behaved in the body, noted when they were most helpful, and returned to them because the results were steady and reliable.
This kind of repetition matters. In an era before modern diagnostics, herbs earned their place through lived experience. If a plant failed to help, it was set aside. If it proved useful, it was recorded, refined, and used again. Over time, this process created a quiet but powerful body of evidence—one built on outcomes rather than claims.
As we explore the history of each of these herbs, we’re tracing their past uses and looking at why they endured, what made them dependable, and why they continue to hold a place in herbal practice today.
Hawthorn
Hawthorn has a long and well-documented history in Western herbal medicine, with written references extending back nearly two millennia. Its presence across multiple medical traditions reflects a gradual accumulation of knowledge shaped by observation, clinical use, and continuity rather than sudden discovery.
Some of the earliest written accounts appear in the 1st century CE in the work of Dioscorides, whose De Materia Medica served as a foundational text for botanical medicine in the ancient Mediterranean world. In these early writings, hawthorn was described primarily for its astringent and digestive properties, illustrating how its medicinal role was initially understood in broader physiological terms rather than as a heart-specific remedy.
During the medieval period, hawthorn became a familiar entry in European herbals and medical manuscripts. Monastic physicians and lay herbalists recorded its use for strengthening and regulation, while its prominence in the landscape contributed to its symbolic association with protection and vitality. At this stage, hawthorn occupied a dual role, functioning both as a medicinal plant and as a culturally significant species embedded in everyday life.
Hawthorn’s most clearly defined association with cardiovascular health emerged much later, during the 19th century, through the work of American Eclectic physicians. Within this tradition, hawthorn was studied through detailed case histories and long-term clinical observation. Eclectic practitioners documented its effects on heart function, circulation, and overall cardiovascular tone, noting its suitability for sustained use over time.
Across centuries of use, hawthorn was valued not for dramatic or immediate effects, but for its steady and supportive action over time. Historical texts and Eclectic-era writings consistently describe hawthorn as a tonic herb—one used to strengthen and support normal function rather than to force change.
Traditionally, hawthorn was used to support:
- Heart tone and resilience, particularly when the heart was described as weakened, irregular, or overworked
- Healthy circulation, including support for blood flow and vascular integrity
Nervous system calm when emotional strain or anxiety was believed to affect the heart - Long-term cardiovascular balance through gentle, cumulative use
- Recovery and vitality in individuals experiencing fatigue or diminished stamina
Eclectic physicians often emphasized hawthorn’s suitability for ongoing use, noting that its benefits tended to build gradually rather than appear immediately. This made it especially valuable in cases where sustained support was needed, rather than acute intervention.
Rosemary
Rosemary has a long and continuous history in Western herbal medicine, culinary tradition, and symbolic practice, with written references dating back over two thousand years. Its enduring presence reflects both its medicinal versatility and its close relationship with daily life, memory, and ritual.
Early written mentions of rosemary appear in ancient Greek and Roman sources. In the 1st century CE, Dioscorides described rosemary in De Materia Medica, noting its warming, stimulating qualities and its usefulness in supporting circulation and digestion. Classical authors also associated rosemary with mental clarity and remembrance, a theme that would persist throughout its history.
During the medieval period, rosemary became one of the most widely used household herbs in Europe. It appeared frequently in monastic herbals, medical manuscripts, and domestic remedy collections. Physicians and herbalists documented its use for strengthening the body, improving circulation, and supporting the nervous system, while its aromatic nature made it a common ingredient in both medicinal preparations and daily living.
By the time of the Renaissance and early modern era, rosemary was firmly established as a medicinal staple. It continued to appear in European pharmacopeias and later in American herbal texts, including those used by Eclectic physicians. While its uses were refined over time, rosemary’s core identity as a stimulating, clarifying, and supportive herb remained consistent, contributing to its long-standing place in herbal practice.
Historically, rosemary was valued as a warming and invigorating herb, often used to stimulate circulation, sharpen the senses, and support vitality. Its applications were broad, but consistently centered on promoting movement—both physical and mental—within the body.
Traditional uses of rosemary included support for:
- Mental clarity and memory, particularly in times of fatigue or mental dullness,
- Healthy circulation and warmth, especially in individuals described as cold or sluggish
- Nervous system stimulation when alertness and focus were needed
- Digestive comfort, particularly after heavy or rich meals
- Overall vitality and resilience through its gently tonifying action
Rosemary moved through herbal traditions as a quiet catalyst, valued for the way it awakened both body and mind without pushing either too far.
Elderberry
Elder has been used medicinally in Europe for over two thousand years, with early references appearing in classical texts by Hippocrates and Pliny the Elder, who documented the plant’s value for both internal and external use. In these early records, elder was already recognized as a versatile household remedy, used to support recovery, clear congestion, and promote general resilience.
During the medieval period, elder became one of the most relied-upon plants in European folk medicine. It featured prominently in monastery gardens and village apothecaries, where flowers and berries were prepared as teas, syrups, and wines. Elder’s role extended beyond medicine into cultural tradition, where the tree itself was associated with protection and continuity, reinforcing its status as a trusted plant rather than an occasional remedy.
By the 19th century, elder was incorporated into formal herbal systems, including Eclectic and early naturopathic medicine. Practitioners valued elder for its gentle yet effective support of the body’s natural defenses, particularly during seasonal illness. This continuity of use — from classical writings through folk tradition and into clinical herbal practice — reflects elder’s enduring reputation as a plant that works with the body, not against it.
Elder has held an important place in European and American herbal traditions for centuries, valued as a seasonal ally and a plant associated with protection, resilience, and renewal. Historical texts describe elder as a versatile herb, with different parts of the plant used for different purposes, each offering its own form of support.
Traditionally, elder was used to support:
- Seasonal immune resilience, particularly during times of increased exposure or environmental stress
- The body’s natural response to colds and winter ailments, especially when taken at the first sign of imbalance
- Healthy respiratory function, including support for the upper respiratory tract
- Gentle sweating and elimination, often used to support the body during acute seasonal challenges
- Overall vitality during seasonal transitions, especially in autumn and winter
Elderflower and elderberry were often used differently, but with complementary intent. Elderflower was valued for its light, opening qualities, while elderberry was associated with deeper nourishment and strength. Together, they reflected a holistic understanding of the plant as a whole.
In traditional practice, elder was frequently used as a simple or in straightforward preparations such as syrups, teas, or wines. Its widespread use across cultures and centuries reflects a high degree of trust in its effectiveness and safety when used appropriately.
Elder’s enduring role in herbal medicine speaks to its reliability as a seasonal ally—one that herbalists have consistently returned to when support was needed most, reinforcing its place among the herbs that have truly stood the test of time.
Conclusion
As we come to the end of this exploration, we return to the quiet truth at the heart of herbal history: some plants endure because they continue to be useful. Hawthorn, elder, and rosemary remain part of the herbal tradition not through reinvention, but through consistency—through centuries of observation, application, and return.
The vintage remedies and books you’ll see shared here offer more than historical interest. They represent a lineage of practice shaped by patience and trust in the natural world. Each handwritten note, each worn page, reflects the careful work of herbalists and physicians who relied on these plants to support health in meaningful, tangible ways.
By revisiting these records, we’re reminded that herbal medicine is not a static body of knowledge, but a living tradition. The herbs we return to today are the same ones that earned their place long ago, continuing to offer insight, support, and connection across generations.
Thank you for stepping into the Eclectic Library and spending time with these enduring plant allies. May their stories—and the wisdom they carry—encourage you to look a little closer, slow down, and deepen your relationship with the herbs that have truly stood the test of time.
The Author : Christine Alstat
Meet Chris Alstat, an internationally acclaimed naturopath and herbalist of Japanese heritage, whose profound expertise in plants and natural health has garnered recognition worldwide. As the dedicated owner of Eclectic Herb, Chris seamlessly intertwines her deep-rooted commitment to the Earth with her business, cultivating a space where her passion for plants is ever in full bloom. Her influential voice on herbal wisdom resonates across the globe through publications and panels, reflecting a lifetime commitment to nurturing both the plant kingdom and the earth.
