4.40

5

Feb 23, 2008

Such a simple sentiment, but this passage has been paradigm-changing for me, not only in my herb and natural health studies, but also in general:

"Most herbalists I know strongly recommend that a student limit her studies to 'a few select herbs.' Get to know them well by learning to identify them,... touch, taste, smell, and use them. The energies of thirty to thirty-five herbs will enchant you and keep you sufficiently busy for the following year or two. Distinguished individuals from the Such a simple sentiment, but this passage has been paradigm-changing for me, not only in my herb and natural health studies, but also in general:

"Most herbalists I know strongly recommend that a student limit her studies to 'a few select herbs.' Get to know them well by learning to identify them,... touch, taste, smell, and use them. The energies of thirty to thirty-five herbs will enchant you and keep you sufficiently busy for the following year or two. Distinguished individuals from the remaining myriad herbs that dwell on Earth will, one by one, as situations arise, attract your attention and attach themselves to your initial repertory."

There are many benefits to simplicity. The journey truly is the destination. Slow down, use less, do less, live more fully. ...more

2

May 24, 2010

Another interesting topic for me. In the past I've made batches of elderberry syrup and saved myself a bundle, as its expensive to buy! I'm ready to add a few more herbal/natural recipes to my repertoire.

UPDATE:

DONE! Didn't like it.. didn't find it to have a very comfortable flow.... couldn't get into it...and didn't like the new-agey feel to it.. read at least half of it and skimmed through the rest.. the author is obviously VERY knowledgeable about his craft... but I'll keep looking for a Another interesting topic for me. In the past I've made batches of elderberry syrup and saved myself a bundle, as its expensive to buy! I'm ready to add a few more herbal/natural recipes to my repertoire.

UPDATE:

DONE! Didn't like it.. didn't find it to have a very comfortable flow.... couldn't get into it...and didn't like the new-agey feel to it.. read at least half of it and skimmed through the rest.. the author is obviously VERY knowledgeable about his craft... but I'll keep looking for a book to add to my library.... this one isn't it.
...more

5

Jun 04, 2007

The nitty-gritty of herbal medicine making, laid out in a well organized and thoughtful way. James has a great conversational style to his writing, you will feel like a kind friend is right with you guiding your learning. I like that he sticks to just a few (25 or so) herbs that you are most likely to use, so you can get to know them really well. He also has a great sense of humor and so reading through this book is never dry! The lovely mucha-ish illustrations throughout the book are done by The nitty-gritty of herbal medicine making, laid out in a well organized and thoughtful way. James has a great conversational style to his writing, you will feel like a kind friend is right with you guiding your learning. I like that he sticks to just a few (25 or so) herbs that you are most likely to use, so you can get to know them really well. He also has a great sense of humor and so reading through this book is never dry! The lovely mucha-ish illustrations throughout the book are done by his very tallented daughter. I would love to meet James in real life, as he seems not only knowledgeable but kind and fun. ...more

5

Jun 14, 2018

As a clinical herbalist who went to school for Phytotherapy, I have to say that this is still one of the best books on the subject of making medicines (one which many of my teachers reference).
It gives multiple methods, and quite a bit of trouble shooting.
I suggest it to all beginner and advanced medicine makers alike!

4

Feb 20, 2011

Fun book if you are into your own medicine making. Lots of great recipes and ideas and in depth descriptions.

4

Apr 13, 2011

For my plant medicine class. What I've read of it (the pages assigned for the first class) is really good and practical.

5

May 29, 2011

This is an absolutely amazing, must have book for anyone interested in making your own herbal remedies. It may be a little overwhelming for someone just starting out.

3

Feb 28, 2013

A manual. Not a book to read unless you are interested in herbs. Very thorough descriptions.

5

Jan 19, 2012

Educational & sentimental. I love Green's passion for plants. The reader can't help but get stirred by it.

5

Dec 11, 2014

I've used this book often, I really enjoy the recipes he has in it. Oddly, I have a huge library of herbal books but this one motivated me to make several tinctures.

0

May 23, 2011

I get the very distinct feeling I'll be referencing this book a lot in the coming months at herb school.

4

Apr 26, 2009

I am in the throes of this informative, loving and easily digestible text. As I write, I am also enrolled in an Herbalist class and feel that this will be a good go to after the class to reintegrate all that I have learned as well as give some options for me to play with.

5

Jan 12, 2013

The best manual I have seen, an erudite writer with a sense of humour and spiritual awareness packs in a huge amount of usable information. Good for first-time herbalists and more experienced alchemists.

4

Aug 11, 2011

i really like this book. james is reallyfunny and knowledgeable. tthis book covers a lot of topics and shows many different ways of making hherbal medicine. i think its better suited for intermediate studeents than begginners though. (i can actually spell, but my keboard is dying) :(

5

Nov 12, 2010

THE foundational handbook for learning how to work with medicinal plant preparations. Provides detailed "how to" based on years of practice and research, from creating simple tinctures and infusions to the more esoteric preparations. The stories and anecdotes are both entertaining and highly educational.

5

Aug 04, 2014

Great, practical information on just 20 herbs - but good insight into each herb and how to make a lot of different types of herbal medicine with step by step instructions. It makes you practice american measurements to metric conversion - which is good. Wonderful recipes. Great voice. One of my top "herb books" that I recommend.

3

May 06, 2013

Green is knowledgeable about using heat and solvents to extract chemicals. I really liked that about this book. Though the book gives some brief discussion on therapeutic activity of certain herbs, it is more about the processing side of herbal medicine making. He references pagan spirituality frequently in terms of communicating with the plants, and a bit of earth-worship. Nevertheless, it's a well-crafted book from a person who clearly has the knowledge and skill to speak on the subject.

5

Sep 10, 2012

I LOVE James Green ... always have. He has been one of my favorite herbalists, along with Susun Weed, since I first began my own herbal journey, many many moons ago.

This is a beautiful beginner's manual - an introduction to the philosophy, relationship with plants, tools and basic instructions for creating herbal medicines. James' writing is a joy to read, and this book includes a beautiful philosophy of health, beauty, and life.

5

Sep 23, 2011

I am loving this book as a guide as I'm taking an herbalism class. I am really getting interested in learning more about plants, how to recognize, gather & heal with them. Such fascinating stuff!! Now as I'm reading the info on how to do everything, I am in the know as I've experienced a lot of it in my class. So exciting!! I'm just giddy!! This is definitely a good reference book that I am putting on my wish list for my home shelf.

4

Nov 03, 2008

A great resource for learning every step of herbal medicine production. Great illustrations. Of all the books I have read in this genre, this one far exceeds all others in its quality as a technical manual. He explains the medicinal qualities of 30 herbs and discusses the best preparation for each. He has explanations for certain productions in this book that I have never before seen explained in writing. As a trained herbalist, I have previously only heard this information passed from teacher A great resource for learning every step of herbal medicine production. Great illustrations. Of all the books I have read in this genre, this one far exceeds all others in its quality as a technical manual. He explains the medicinal qualities of 30 herbs and discusses the best preparation for each. He has explanations for certain productions in this book that I have never before seen explained in writing. As a trained herbalist, I have previously only heard this information passed from teacher to student orally. ...more

5

Feb 17, 2017

Contains a great deal of information about herbal preparations, but not much on the herbs themselves. My guess is that this is an amazing resource for experienced herbalists, but not so much for relative novices such as myself

5

Jun 16, 2018

I prefer this title to a few others out there on medicine making techniques. It's historical, technical, and funny.

4

Aug 05, 2017

A beautiful book with detailed information on making herbal medicines at home. Describes the difference between types of medicine, and /why/ certain types of plants work best with each.

5

Aug 20, 2018

This is a book for all people interested in learning about herbalism and its many ways of being used.

5

Oct 09, 2019

Excellent resource for how to make tinctures, deco rooms, syrups, etc. Scientific and do it yourself-y options to be a precise herbalist.