Comments on: A rainy afternoon in Cambridge

By: Robert Tisserand

Robert Tisserand — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 21:27:02 +0000

Thank you Ian, I did (unintentionally) post a picture of Trinity College Dublin. Now changing to Trinity College Cambridge (I believe also known as the Wren Library)!

By: Ian

Ian — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 21:33:39 +0000

Beautiful though it is, isn’t the picture of Trinity College Dublin, and not Cambridge ?

By: Theresa Le

Theresa Le — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:59:00 +0000

What an interesting and colorful post! I love the old libraries of Europe – I love libraries in general, ancient manuscripts (especially illuminated ones), Salerno (Paestum is one of my favorite places), and of course, the amazing benefits of essential oils. I hope you will publish more posts like this one.

By: robert

robert — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:00:23 +0000

Hi Martin, I’m pretty sure it came from Dioscorides, but my page on frankincense from his book, photocopied at the British Library, is missing.

By: martin watt

martin watt — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:57:33 +0000

Hey Robert, a bit late on this thread but I just had to comment on the Frankincense remedy for sore breasts. This is fascinating as I have a book called ‘A Leechbook or collection of recipes of the 15th Century’, but believed to contain remedies going way back. That formula for frankincense in the French book is almost identical to the one in this book. So I wonder where the origin was, I would suspect it was probably from Arabic medicine. In any case it is an excellent remedy for the problem because of the astringent action of the vinegar combined with the soothing action of the Frankincense.

By: Robert Tisserand

Robert Tisserand — Tue, 04 May 2010 17:42:50 +0000

Sherrie, it’s a literal translation but really means “for pregnancy” or “to help pregnancy”.

By: sherrie

sherrie — Tue, 04 May 2010 17:28:34 +0000

Robert, what a beautifully romantic story! You can’t make that stuff up! I’m interested in how frankincense can be used “against pregnancy.” LOL

By: Akiko Ikeda

Akiko Ikeda — Sun, 02 May 2010 23:10:03 +0000

I’m so glad to find this website and your story. I’m feeling really excited to find your hidden episode behind publishing process of the art of aromatherapy and also the fact that you found the word about essential oils on the old french book related to Salerno. History of aromatherapy is fun indeed.

By: eliane

eliane — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 06:38:27 +0000

now i know why i stopped studying medieval french in university (after years of modern french in second grade)! but i love your story. and i finally have the often asked question whether to pronounce your name in a french or in an english way. as you’re half french i keep my french pronounciation!