Noah talks to author John Crellin about Arthur Lee "Tommie" Bass a legendary herbalist, who died last week at age 88. Bass explored the powers of over 300 herbs to ease pain. He lived in the mountains of Alabama, but his fame spread farther. Bass treated the people of Cherokee County for free. Crellin edited "Plain Southern Eating: From the Reminiscences of A.L. Tommie Bass, Herbalist." Crellin says the traditional salves gave way to health store pills over the years.
Copyright 1996 NPR