Herbology: Magickal and Medicinal
Book reviews are by Lady Bridget, unless otherwise noted.
Herbology: Magickal and Medicinal
Herbal for the Childbearing Year, by Susan S. Weed.
Lifetime Encyclopedia of Natural Remedies, by Myra Cameron
This is set up by complaint rather than by herb, so that if you have a problem you can go to the problem and find multiple treatment options. A very complete listing of common ailments and complaints, with over 1,000 safe and effective treatments that you can do at home. You don't need to know the scientific name for your ailment either, just look it up by the common name.
Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens
If you want to base your herbal training on the plants indigenous to any area of North America, then this is the single most important reference you will own. The Russian research based on collections made in the 1800's and proven in Russian medicine for a century cannot be beat. My copy has a date of 1973, and I had to get in from Canada - but this book is now being reprinted - and makes me very happy to be able to recommend it again.
review by Lord Riekin
The Healing Herbs , by Michael Castleman
An excellent research guide based on a listing of the plants, rather than the ailments. It also shows realistic drawings of the plants to help you identify them. Great for gardeners, as this book also gives you information on cultivation, harvesting, insects, etc. Gives complete discriptions also of history of each plant, what parts of the plant are used and how to prepare them, dosages and uses, and cautions - an incredible resource.
"A Modern Herbal: Volume I", by Maud Grieve.
An old standard by no means up to date or current, but still in wide use today. Many herbal today reference better herbs and treatments which were not known to the authors. Historically one of the best herbal sets, but definitely dated.
review by Lord Riekin
"A Modern Herbal: (etc) Volume II", also by Maud Grieve.
For review, read same as for Volume I.
The Herb Book, by John Lust.
Need we say more? The title of this book says it all! This is the easiest book to pick up and check out an herb that I have ever owned, and we have three copies in the house. This tells the medicinal qualities of the plant, what part is used, how to prepare it, what dosage is normally recommended, if the plant is toxic and if so, in what doses, and what conditions it will be good for and under what conditions it is not recommended. There are extensive tables giving definitions of the terms used, like the difference between a decoction and an infusion, and also a table of ailments and what herbs can be recommended for each. If you only can get one book for medicinal purposes, this is the book I would get. (And it is usually one of the least expensive books out there also!)
Prescription for Nutritional Healing, by James F. Balch, MD and Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
One of THE most quoted books today, this is written by two medical professionals and gives comprehensive drug-free remedies using vitamins, minerals, herbs, and food supplements. Organized into three sections, the book first goes into what elements constitute health, then a section on disorders and the last section is listed by ailment and has treatments for each. No, you don't need to know medical terminology to use this book, and there is an index where you can look up common ailments that may be cross referenced or listed under another name. Accurate and up to date, and the information in it can be trusted.
"The Natural Remedy Book for Women", by Diane Stein.
From The WomanSource Catalog & Review: Tools for
Connecting the Community for Women; review by Patricia
Pettijohn , February 1, 1997
A gem of a slim volume, this guide offers a concise but thorough
overview of ten of the most useful natural healing methods, followed by
an alphabetical listing of health problems and their remedies. The
therapies include vitamins and minerals, herbs, naturopathy, homeopathy
and cell salts, amino acids, acupressure, aromatherapy, flower essences,
gemstones and gem essences, and emotional healing. Descriptions are
clear and illustrations are frequent, informative and easily understood.
The listing of dis-eases and remedies is remarkably practical, and while
certainly not exhaustive, many of the common health problems of women
are covered, everything from herpes and migraines to AIDS, heart
disease and PMS. For each of these disorders, a variety of approaches
are suggested, including diagrams of acupressure points, herbal tincture
recipes, visualization exercises, homeopathic remedies, helpful vitamins,
foods, flower essences, aromas and gems. This is not an encyclopedia,
but a practical tool for holistic healing.
---review by Patricia Pettijohn , February 1, 1997
"All Women Are Healers", by Diane Stein.
All Women Are Healers: A Comprehensive Guide To Natural Healing is
a survey of the role of women in alternative medicine with its emphasis on
personal one-on-one approaches to the healing process too long
dominated by traditional western medical practices with its emphasis on
impersonal technologies and assembly line medicine. Women approach
healing from a holistic, life-style preventive emphasis. All Women Are
Healers also surveys the use of stones and crystals, reiki, chinese healing
and acupressure, reflexology, pendulums, kinesiology, vitamins, minerals,
herbs, homeopathy, flower remedies, and gem elixirs.
--- reveiw by Amazon.com reader
"The Master Book of Herbalism", by Paul Beryl.
Out of the hundreds of herbals, this book is one of the few that includes
serious treatment of the realm of magickal herbalism along with basic
information on the physical properties of various plants. This is a
wonderful sourcebook with a wealth of information on the ritual uses of
herbs. It is not only enjoyable to read, but its numerous chapters and
appendices with alphabetical listings makes it easy to use.
---review by Selena Fox, of "Circle Magazine"
"The Spiritual Properties of Herbs", by Gurudas.
Goes into the spiritual properties, on magickal side, not medicinal. Give exercises on how to get in touch with your spiritual side using herbs and plants, and how plants have a spirituality all their own.
Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magickal Herbs", by Scott Cunningham.
Excellent resource for symbolism, planets, and uses of herbs
This Encyclopedia belongs on the bookshelf of anyone with an interest in
Paganism, magic, or symbolism. Cunningham catalogs a huge selection of
herbs, showing planetary correspondences, folklore, magical uses, and
mythological references.
---review by an Amazon.com reader.
"Heinerman's Encyclopedia of Healing Herbs and Spices", by John Heinerman.
Heinerman's Herbal is well-researched.
Not only does this book contain all the traditional herbal lore found in
previous volumes down through the ages, but also cites and includes the
most recent research into the nature of the herbs themselves and their
chemical compositions. He tells you not only what the herb or spice is
good for medicinally, but also *why*; which chemicals in the herbs are
the active ingredients and what effect they have on the body's systems.
This will enable the skilled herbalist to combine the most effective
remedies and treatments for each individual person's needs and
tolerances. I have found this book to be one that has replaced the use of
several older herbals on my bookshelf.