{"id":2231,"date":"2015-04-01T06:01:38","date_gmt":"2015-04-01T10:01:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.knowyouroots.com\/ijustgottashare\/?p=2231"},"modified":"2015-03-29T11:02:17","modified_gmt":"2015-03-29T15:02:17","slug":"some-of-my-favorite-things","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.knowyouroots.com\/ijustgottashare\/2015\/04\/01\/some-of-my-favorite-things\/","title":{"rendered":"Some of my favorite things"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"books\"<\/a>From time to time, I\u2019m asked what my favorite herbal book is. My answer is usually, \u201cIt depends, what are you looking for?\u201d Frankly, there is no simple answer and I am a huge fan of cross-referencing. Rarely, do I ever simply look at one resource for anything. If I am identifying a new plant, I will look at multiple field guides. When creating a new recipe, I will combine recipes to create something that resonates with me. But more importantly, when consulting and suggesting herbal remedies, I always review numerous resources, it is paramount to validate my findings. With that said, I do have my favorites.<\/p>\n

Luckily, nowadays there is an abundance of herbal resources available. Unlike fifty years ago where they were few and far between. In addition to books, there are numerous online resources too. My list is far from complete. They are simply my most beloved books and websites; the ones I reach for most often.<\/p>\n

I have linked the books to Amazon<\/a> but I highly encourage you to look for these books at your library and local independent bookstores.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Field Guides<\/strong><\/p>\n

Identifying herbs correctly is vital to good herbalism.<\/p>\n

My first and favorite guides are from the Peterson Field Guide Series:<\/p>\n

Medicinal Plants and Herbs<\/a><\/p>\n

Wildflowers<\/a><\/p>\n

Edible Wild Plants<\/a><\/p>\n

Mushrooms<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

Newcomb\u2019s Wildflower Guide<\/a>\u00a0by Lawrence Newcomb<\/p>\n

The book is designed to be a key, but it is different and easier to use than other botanical guides. When identifying an unknown plant, you answer 5 questions and are directed to the text page where you can find the plants.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide<\/a>\u00a0by Thomas Elias & Peter Dykeman<\/p>\n

This guide is jam-packed with not only the picture, plant name, habitat, and identification details but goes in-depth to clearly define those parts of the plant that are edible and how to prepare them (even including simple recipes) of over 200 plants.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Weeds of the West<\/a>\u00a0by Tom D. Whitson<\/p>\n

Although it is meant for western USA, there is a lot of crossover to the eastern part of the country. This wonderful reference contains 640 pages of beautiful photos and is organized by plant family with at least three images per plant.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Making herbal remedies<\/strong><\/p>\n

Making Plant Medicine<\/a>\u00a0by Richo Cech<\/p>\n

My all-time favorite go to book. Richo discusses basic herbal processing. However, my favorite part is where he breaks it down by herbs and provides a concise reference, outlining when and what to harvest and appropriate usage. I love this book.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Herbal Medicine-Maker’s Handbook: A Home Manual<\/a>\u00a0by James Green<\/p>\n

This manual covers everything from the most basic teas to the most complex medicine making techniques.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Earthly Bodies & Heavenly Hair: Natural and Healthy Bodycare for Every Body<\/a>\u00a0by Dina Falconi<\/p>\n

This book is a bounty of recipes for all sorts of health and beauty applications; from creams to shampoos, covering recipes for everyone from babies to the elderly. Nice reference and description of ingredients to use and glossary.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health: 175 Teas, Tonics, Oils, Salves, Tinctures, and Other Natural Remedies for the Entire Family<\/a>\u00a0by Rosemary Gladstar<\/p>\n

In addition to being a wonderful recipe book, Rosemary covers over 90 commonly used herbs.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Herbal Reference Guides<\/strong><\/p>\n

I have yet to find one book that will cover every herb that I want to study. But alas, I do have many favorites.<\/p>\n

Healing Wise (Wise Woman Herbal Series)<\/a> by Susan Weed<\/p>\n

This book tends to be the gateway book for most people into herbalism. It has a beautiful introduction to the wise woman philosophy. She does a very comprehensive study into seven herbs.<\/p>\n

The Herbal Handbook: A User\u2019s Guide to Medical Herbalism<\/a>\u00a0by David Hoffmann<\/p>\n

Great reference book and I love how he describes herbal actions on the body.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Book of Herbal Wisdom: Using Plants as Medicines<\/a>\u00a0by Matthew Wood<\/p>\n

This book is beautifully written, covering the vast history of herbalism and detailing the history and usage of over 40 plants.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine<\/a>\u00a0by <\/span>David Hoffmann<\/span><\/p>\n

An excellent reference book, it is often required reading for herbal schools. Herbs, herbal theory, body systems and herbal perspectives on common diseases are covered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy: Modern Herbal Medicine<\/a>\u00a0by Simon Mills & Kerry Bone<\/p>\n

Though this book is presented in textbook fashion, it is an excellent resource as it explains various therapeutic systems, plant compounds and their effects on the body are covered in a straightforward manner that helps one understand a subject that is usually quite difficult. It covers over 45 herbs and the pertinent information necessary to use them with success and safety.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

New Menopausal Years : The Wise Woman Way, Alternative Approaches for Women 30-90 (Wise Woman Ways)<\/a>\u00a0by Susun Weed<\/p>\n

Susun covers herbs for common menopausal complaints but also many ways to age gracefully with vibrant health.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Herbal Healing for Women<\/a>\u00a0by Rosemary Gladstar<\/p>\n

Filled with Rosemary’s magic, sage wisdom and many herbal remedies.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year<\/a> \u00a0by Susun Wed<\/p>\n

This book was such a comfort to me when I got pregnant at 38 years old and didn\u2019t have much experience with what my body and our growing baby needed. It was my go to book during my pregnancy and the first years of Mathew\u2019s life. It is packed with simple, safe remedies for pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and newborns.<\/p>\n

<\/h1>\n

Herbal Antibiotics, 2nd Edition: Natural Alternatives for Treating Drug-resistant Bacteria<\/a>\u00a0by Steven Buhner<\/p>\n

Chock full of information regarding the overuse of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. He then explores herbal treatments, and covers\u00a030 herbs, noting for each one its antibiotic properties, methods for collection and preparation, dosages, potential side effects, contraindications, and alternatives. Get the second edition.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Way of Herbs<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0 Michael Tierra<\/p>\n

It is an all purpose and very handy quick reference book containing concise descriptions of more than 140 Western herbs and 31 important Chinese herbs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Herbal Remedies : A Quick and Easy Guide to Common Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies<\/a>\u00a0by Asa Hershoff & Andrea Rotelli<\/p>\n

This book is more of a reference guide, it is quick, concise, accurate and to the point.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Websites<\/strong><\/p>\n

As with books, there are tons of wonderful websites and online resources. These are just a few of my favorites.<\/p>\n

HerbMentor.com<\/a> for a small monthly fee you can become a member and have unlimited access to an enormous stockpile of everything herbal. There are classes, resources in written, audio and video formats so it works for each different type of learner. There is access to numerous blogs as well as forums.<\/p>\n

7Song<\/a> is the Director of the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine and is a fountain of information. He has a wonderful Blog<\/a> and Facebook page<\/a>. Do yourself a favor and Friend him on Facebook.<\/p>\n

Jim McDonald<\/a> has a wonderful website Herbcraft<\/a>\u00a0which is a great resource of his classes, writings,\u00a0videos, in addition to a stockpile of\u00a0other herbal resources available.<\/p>\n

Rosalee de la For\u0207t<\/a> was operating a very informative blog in addition to a website but recently has decided to move everything to her website HerbalRemediesAdvice.org<\/a> I love all her resources in the past, and can\u2019t wait to see how everything works when they are united on one site.<\/p>\n

Juliet Blankespoor has a lovely blog Castanea<\/a> about herbs, wild foods, botany, ecology and cultivation.<\/p>\n

Susun Weed<\/a> has a great website<\/a> with tons of resources. Sign up for her newsletter Wise Woman Ezine<\/a> and receive great articles.<\/p>\n

These are just \u00a0a few of my favorite herbal resources. What are yours? Please share and I will continue to update this list as new resources find there way into my heart and library.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From time to time, I\u2019m asked what my favorite herbal book is. My answer is usually, \u201cIt depends, what are you looking for?\u201d Frankly, there is no simple answer and I am a huge fan of cross-referencing. Rarely, do I … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[99],"tags":[594,1025,1029,1022,1000,1015,1035,1010,1004,1007,1016,1024,1023,1027,1033,1032,1028,1030,1034,1019,1002,1005,1021,1006,1013,1001,1020,1031,1011,1014,158,1018,1017,1009,1026,151,1012,1008,1003,1036,1037],"class_list":["post-2231","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-life","tag-making-plant-medicine-by-richo-cech","tag-2nd-edition-natural-alternatives-for-treating-drug-resistant-bacteria-by-steven-buhner","tag-7song","tag-alternative-approaches-for-women-30-90-wise-woman-ways-by-susun-weed","tag-amazon-com","tag-and-other-natural-remedies-for-the-entire-family-by-rosemary-gladstar","tag-castanea","tag-earthly-bodies-heavenly-hair-natural-and-healthy-bodycare-for-every-body-by-dina-falconi","tag-edible-wild-plants","tag-edible-wild-plants-a-north-american-field-guide-by-thomas-elias-peter-dykeman","tag-healing-wise-wise-woman-herbal-series-by-susan-weed","tag-herbal-antibiotics","tag-herbal-healing-for-women-by-rosemary-gladstar","tag-herbal-remedies-a-quick-and-easy-guide-to-common-disorders-and-their-herbal-remedies-by-asa-hershoff-andrea-rotelli","tag-herbalremediesadvice-org","tag-herbcraft","tag-herbmentor-com","tag-jim-mcdonald","tag-juliet-blankespoor","tag-medical-herbalism-the-science-principles-and-practices-of-herbal-medicine-by-david-hoffmann","tag-medicinal-plants-and-herbs","tag-mushrooms","tag-new-menopausal-years-the-wise-woman-way","tag-newcombs-wildflower-guide-by-lawrence-newcomb","tag-oils","tag-peterson-field-guide-series","tag-principles-and-practice-of-phytotherapy-modern-herbal-medicine-by-simon-mills-kerry-bone","tag-rosalee-de-la-fort","tag-rosemary-gladstars-herbal-recipes-for-vibrant-health-175-teas","tag-salves","tag-susun-weed","tag-the-book-of-herbal-wisdom-using-plants-as-medicines-by-matthew-wood","tag-the-herbal-handbook-a-users-guide-to-medical-herbalism-by-david-hoffmann","tag-the-herbal-medicine-makers-handbook-a-home-manual-by-james-green","tag-the-way-of-herbs-by-michael-tierra","tag-tinctures","tag-tonics","tag-weeds-of-the-west-by-tom-d-whitson","tag-wildflowers","tag-wise-woman-ezine","tag-wise-woman-herbal-for-the-childbearing-year"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.knowyouroots.com\/ijustgottashare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2231","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.knowyouroots.com\/ijustgottashare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.knowyouroots.com\/ijustgottashare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.knowyouroots.com\/ijustgottashare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.knowyouroots.com\/ijustgottashare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2231"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.knowyouroots.com\/ijustgottashare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2231\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2242,"href":"https:\/\/www.knowyouroots.com\/ijustgottashare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2231\/revisions\/2242"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.knowyouroots.com\/ijustgottashare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2231"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.knowyouroots.com\/ijustgottashare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2231"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.knowyouroots.com\/ijustgottashare\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2231"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}