The herbal apothecary : 100 medicinal herbs and how to use them /

Pursell is a board-certified naturopathic physician and licensed acupuncturist with 20-plus years of experience with medicinal plants. This book, her first, emphasizes the continuity of modern herbalist practice with its deep roots in indigenous traditions. An alphabetical directory of medicinal plants comprises the core, with additional sections on basic human systems anatomy, the formulation of herbal remedies, and treatment plans for various health conditions. The 100 plant entries include common and scientific names, parts of the plant used, major body system(s) affected, therapeutic actions, and often hard-to-find details for plant cultivation. Entries lack specific references, a reflection of the interpersonal nature of how herbal wisdom is transmitted and preserved over time. The author does refer readers to several classic texts that delve more deeply into the formulation and therapeutic use of herbal medicines and also includes a brief bibliography of important sources. Novice herbalists will likely make this lovely handbook their go-to resource, but the wealth of photographs widens its appeal to a larger community of plant lovers. Summing Up: Recommended. All library collections. --Jane D. Saxton, Bastyr University

Pursell, a naturopathic physician and owner of the Herb Shoppe chain, reveals the "secret ways" of healing plants, taking herbalism out of the realm of folk healing. It takes time and effort to understand herbs and the way they work with the body's systems, but Pursell aptly demonstrates the value in learning about these gifts from nature and understanding their uses in pursuit of sustainable health. Exploring first the tradition of herbalism and its current-day practice, coupled with a layperson's guide to the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and endocrine systems, the book concludes with a comprehensive listing of 100 medicinal herbs and an explanation of how they affect these systems. Bogbean, for example, targets the lymphatic tissues of the body, clearing obstruction and waste, while chaga regulates immune function. The book includes treatment plans and recipes for preparing teas, tinctures, and other concoctions from the medicinal use of herbs. It is not a quick read, but will quickly become indispensable for understanding a neglected field that is ripe with great benefits. (Jan.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.