The Herb Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Herbs

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This is followed by a section on common complaints and which herbs might be useful for treating them. No herbal home should be without this delightful book, which provides simple and creative ways to use herbs in the kitchen. Detailed profiles of many common cooking herbs and spices explain how these often over-looked plants are useful for health. Delicious and unique recipes include cooking oils, seasoning salts and sprinkles, herbal honeys, cordials, and vinegars. The Herbal Kitchen is full of creative ways to use recipes in everyday cooking–nothing about this book is complicated, but the recipes are delightful and not to be missed. Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West by Michael Moore (B) – Covers 300 species of medicinal plants from Baja California to Alaska; an identification guide that also discusses harvesting and preparing herbs as well as extensive information on their medicinal uses. New Menopausal Years: The Wise Woman Way by Susun Weed (B) – Supporting a woman through menopause the wise woman way; organized by the six steps of healing mentioned above, offers herbal solutions for a multitude of symptoms and conditions that accompany menopause. The Consultation in Phytotherapy by Peter Conway (A) – Written from a UK perspective so not entirely applicable to clinical practice in the US, but provides insightful information on effective herbal consultation and practice.

The Practicing Herbalist by Margi Flint (I) – The author and several clinical herbalist contributors provide guidance for listening to and observing a client, including reading the face, tongue, pulse, and body, as well as information on herbal and dietary therapeutics. Safety and Herb-Drug Interactions The Male Herbal by James Green (I) – A guide to herbal support for both preventative wellness and common conditions boys and men may face in terms of their physical and emotional health; includes numerous herbs and remedies and how to choose the appropriate herb based on a new constitutional model. Children’s Health Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth by Sharol Tilgner (I) – A resource for the herbal practitioner that includes profiles of 192 herbs with dosage and safety information and herbal formulations for each body system.I’ve learned from these books about uses for lemon balm, borage, hibiscus, and other herbs to grow in a medicinal herb garden as well as many to gather wild or let flourish in your garden like elderberry, elderflower, cleavers, dandelion, goldenrod, and so many more.

Herbal Antibiotics by Stephen Harrod Buhner (I) – A well-researched guide to using herbal antibiotics to build immunity and protect against bacterial infections; includes detailed plant monographs and wellness protocols. Properties and Uses: Anthelmintic, carminative, diuretic, stimultant. Carrot soup makes a effective remedy for diarrhea and is easily digestible for those suffering from stomach, and intestinal problems. Carrot is also useful for preventing putrefaction in the intestine and for gastro-intestinal catarrh. The carrot's content of potassium salts accounts for its diuretic action, and it contains an essential oil that is effective against roundworms as well (eat 2 to 3 raw carrots a day for several days). Take carrot juice for stomach acidity and heartburn. And of course their carotene content provides the material for the body to make vitamin A, which is important for proper vision, especially night vision. An infusion or decoction of the seeds of wild carrot can be used for flatulence, as a diuretic, and to promote the onset of menstruation. The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Know About Chinese, Western and Ayurvedic Herbal Treatments by Alan Tillotson (I) – Within the framework of Western herbalism, Ayurveda, and Traditional Chinese Medicine, explores the body systems, details individual herbs, and discusses the use of herbs for various health conditions. Part three goes into herbal mixtures for health and some information on vitamin nutrition and minerals, then talks about seasoning with herbs and herbal teas for enjoyment. It also suggests some natural herbal cosmetics for skin care and perfumes and even natural dyes. Some legend and lore is included.The Ayurveda Bible by Anne McIntyre (I) – Comprehensive exploration of the science of Ayurveda, its herbs, preparations, and formulas, and Ayurvedic diagnosis and treatment. Looking for the best herbalism books to reference when you need an herbal remedy? While an internet search can yield many useful tidbits, having a few trusted herbal books on your shelf makes finding reliable information easier. Plus you’ll have access to trusted herbal information even if your internet connection goes down for some reason. Here are some of the best herbal medicine books to consider adding to your home library.

Clinical Naturopathic Medicine by Leah Hechtman (A) – Geared toward the clinician, takes a comprehensive look at conditions affecting body systems and the herbal, dietary, and lifestyle therapeutics that can be used to resolve them. Gladstar also has numerous herbalism books focusing on different areas, including women’s health and using plant medicine with children. You can find more of her herbal medicine books here. Earthwise Herbal, Volumes I & II by Matthew Wood Herbal Antivirals by Stephen Harrod Buhner (I) – A well-researched guide to using herbal antivirals to build immunity and protect against viral infections; includes detailed plant monographs, herbal preparations, and wellness protocols. Western Herbs According to Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Practitioner’s Guide by Thomas Avery Garran (A) – An authoritative guide to using Western herbs in the TCM tradition; includes 58 plant monographs and describes how to use Western herbs in Chinese formulas. Native American Herbalism Description: ... [to what lands it is native, where else it has spread and can now be found wild. precise botanical and sensory description of plant. its seasons, including when it flowers and bolts.]The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine by David Frawley and Vasant Lad (B) – A great introduction to Ayurvedic theory, materia medica, and herbal preparations and uses. Traditional Chinese Medicine A Modern Herbal Vol. 1 and A Modern Herbal Vol. 2 by Maud Grieve (B) – Written in 1931 and a beloved classic, presents a fascinating look at herbalism that is a blend of earlier sources like Culpeper alongside the herbal folklore of the British Isles and modern (at the time) science and botany; includes an extensive A to Z compilation of plant profiles. Also available online at Botanical.com . Adaptogens in Medical Herbalism by Donnie Yance (A) – Explores the author’s holistic approach for using adaptogens to support the body’s energy levels and response to stress and as a tonic to support the body’s wellness, includes 60 herbal monographs and custom formulations. Practical Herbs by Henriette Kress (B) – This Finnish herbalist writes about 23 plants found in her home region (and throughout the world), how to cultivate and harvest them, and how to make herbal preparations. Herbs have been used by humans throughout history - for cooking, medicine, rituals, and more. They are also a huge part of the modern world, from gardening, food, and cosmetics to medicines fighting diseases such as malaria. With vibrant illustrations and expert knowledge, The Herb Book takes a close-up look at a wide range of herbs from around the world, showcasing their botanical characteristics, medicinal, cosmetic, and culinary properties and uses, and cultural impact on the lives of humans.

Part two of the book is the real treasure. It is an alphabetical list of herbs that gives detailed information about their properties, including any cautions required. This section rivals the classic Culpepper Herbal in complete information about pretty much any herb known to humankind. The Medicinal Herb Grower by Richo Cech (B) – A guide to growing medicinal herbs organically, written in the author’s amusign and anecdotal style, covers growing and processing herbs for seed and for medicinal herbs.A book about herbs and health wouldn’t be complete without digging into the culinary side of herbs and spices. The next section includes a listing with discussion of various herbs and spices. Some are well known while others are not as common. While herbs are used in cooking, they are also used to make both hot and cold herbal teas which, as you probably guessed, is covered in detail. The book even goes into some coffee substitutes, juices, and alcoholic beverages. The Way of Ayurvedic Herbs: A Contemporary Introduction and Useful Manual for the World’s Oldest Healing System by Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa, Michael Tierra (I) – Extensive information on Ayurvedic healing and using Ayurvedic herbs to support wellness from two experienced practitioners. Flower Power by Anne McIntyre (B) – A beautiful, insightful, and well-written book that profiles numerous flowers, covering their usage in historical traditions as well as their usage as herbal remedies, aromatherapy oils, homeopathic remedies, and flower essences in the contemporary tradition. Naturally Healthy Babies and Children by Aviva Jill Romm (B) – Offers easy-to-understand herbal and dietary recommendations for the common health conditions and symptoms children face as babies through pre-adolescence. Herbal Renaissance by Steven Foster (B) – Profiles clearly and in detail the botany, cultivation, harvest guidelines, historical and modern uses, and clinical research of numerous herbs.