Chaucer (1340-1400), in the Nonnes Preestes Tale, tells us how in his time people took care of their health by attention to diet; and how, when folk were sick, and doctors not handy, nor medicines to be had at the chemist’s close by, the wise women were able, not only to prescribe skilfully, but to supply the requisite medicines from their own store or garden.
“A poure widewe, somdel stoupen in age,
Was whilom dwelling in a narwe cotage
Beside a grove, stonding in a dale.
Hire diete was accordant to hire cote.
Repletion ne made hire never sike;
Attempre diete was all hire physike
And exercise, & hertes suffisance.
The goute let hire nothing for to dance,