Soothe your nerves, cure your cough, color your fabrics, perfume your bath, stimulate your lover, spice your sauces, stop your nightmares, freshen your breath -- with herbs... The most complete catalog of nature's "miracle plants" ever published.
The Herbal Home Remedy Book : Simple Recipes for Tinctures, Teas, Salves, Tonics, and Syrups
by Joyce A. Wardwell
This book is written in a humorous, easy to understand and concise format. It is an great way for someone who has never studied herbal medicine before to dip their toes in the water. Ms. Wardwell is very clear about the dangers of using certain herbs. It also has wonderful guidelines on learning how to identify the different types of plants and herbs you'll be using. Ms. Wardwell also includes several recipes for various tinctures, teas, wines and vinegars to be used. She also offers interesting stories explaining the folklore behind certain plants as well. I can't recommend this book highly enough to any student of herbalism whether beginner or advanced.
The Essential Oils Book : Creating Personal Blends for Mind & Body
by Colleen K. Dodt, Colleen K Dodt
By just looking at the cover of this book I could tell it was going to be fun, what with it's matte finish and recycled pages, and I wasn't disappointed! Ms. Dodt has executed an easy to comprehend book that is good for beginners and those that are past the beginner stage,but not ready to croos the line into advanced aromatherapy. The blue "idea" boxes scattered throughout the book contain great "at a glance" information and her oil descriptions are well done. All of her receipes contain oils that most folks should have in their aromatherapy kitchen, unlike other books I have read that have oils that are either extremelly expensive or hard to obtain. I especially appreciated her clear and concise definitions of measuring dilutions, since so many aromatherapy books skip right over this or don't explain this concept clearly. The packaging,labeling, and gift ideas she describes are wonderful, especially for those of us may creative with oil blends but lousy with packaging! What a treat to read!
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
From the author of "The Master Book of Herbalism" comes the most comprehensive and all-inclusive book on the magical, shamanistic and religious uses of herbs ever published -- over 330 herbs are covered in detail with over 100 illustrations. The book includes magickal classifications, a guide to usage, deities, astrological associations, and much more. Great care was taken to include only folklore documented as authentic.
Ms. Hopman demonstrates a wide knowledge of the Celts and their mythology as well as her understanding of modern homeopathy. Her book includes a Celtic dictionary, which makes it all the more appealing to anyone interested in ancient Celtic lore. She moves through the year describing rituals and herbal uses for Druidic holidays and celebrations. Herbs for marriage, funerals, births, and house blessings are discussed in detail. A fascinating herbal.
This is a remarkable and fascinating blend of botanical medicine, folklore, and natural magic. Readers nationwide can finally see for themselves why Ellen Hopman has long had a well-deserved reputation throughout New England as one of our finest herbalists.
by Scott, Cunningham, Victoria Poyser-Lisi (Illustrator)
This book belongs in every occultist's library. Cunningham has left no stone unturned in his presentation of correspondences and substitutions. The book consists of several sections, each devoted to a specific topic, i.e., incenses, soaps, oils, brews, etc. Each section is alphabetically subdivided by purpose, astrological and plantetary influences, etc. Included for the adventurous are some recipies from older grimoires, along with safer modern blends aimed at the same goals. The incense chapter alone is worth the price of the book. After reading it, you'll never be dependent upon headshop joss sticks and cones again. Also included is a listing of sources for materials. In short, this book is an invaluable reference work, and belongs on every practicing magicians's bookshelf.
by Scott Cunningham, John Goodier (Illustrator)
I have found all of Cunningham's books to be well worth reading, and this is my favorite of the lot. There is an amazing amount of information stuffed into this book. Most valuable to me (in both magickal and medicinal work) is the cross-reference of folk names. This is the first place I look when I read of a plant I do not know, unless I know the botanical name. Beginning herbalists should find it particularly useful. Besides the very practical nature of the book, it is filled with fascinating historical, mythological, and magickal information.