Matthew Wood
Founder, Matthew Wood Institute of Herbalism
Book Recommendations:
Recommended by Matthew Wood
“This amazing book almost leaves me speechless. Energetic Herbalism integrates the many different sources that flow into modern herbalism into an integrated conception and practice. Although the book is directed for the home herbalist, it is also a textbook for beginner to advanced levels, to be treasured and assimilated over many years. This is the type of book that can be written only by one who has been ruminating and practicing for decades, yet it also represents a stream of energy arising from the plants themselves, expressing themselves through Kat, in herbal wisdom. This book touches upon everything that I hold dear in herbal medicine, founded upon the real experience of Nature as a living, intelligent, spiritual being.” (from Amazon)
by Kat Maier, Rosemary Gladstar·You?
by Kat Maier, Rosemary Gladstar·You?
*Nautilus Book Award Gold Medal Winner: Health, Healing & Wellness In this indispensable new resource both for the home apothecary and clinical practitioners, a celebrated herbalist brings alive the elemental relationships among traditional healing practices, ecological stewardship, and essential plant medicines. By honoring ancient wisdom and presenting it in an innovative way, Energetic Herbalism is a profound and practical guide to family and community care for those seeking to move beyond symptom relief and into a truly holistic framework of health. Throughout, author Kat Maier invites readers to explore their personal relationships with plants and their environs as they discover diverse models of healing. Inside Energetic Herbalism, you’ll find: The elements and patterns of Ayurvedic doshas for greater self-awareness as well as positive lifestyle choicesA deep appreciation of the wisdom of indigenous peoples, which is the foundation of sacred plant traditionsThe relationship of well-being to the seasons through the brilliant lens of Chinese Five Element Theory, and how our emotional health is beautifully expressed through the ElementsThe roots and evolution of Vitalism, the traditional Western system of energetic medicineHow to assess imbalances in the body using the elegant and intuitive vocabulary of the six tissue states, an emerging tool in Western herbalismThe senses as the main tools for navigating through energetic herbalismThrough the rich herbal tradition of storytelling, Maier seamlessly blends theory and practice with her experience-tested herbal remedies and healing protocols. Maier stresses the critical message of how to address the challenge of threatened medicinal plant populations, offering practical and inspiriting methods for ensuring their survival. Many herbals boast a materia medica of more than 100 herbs, but in keeping with an emphasis on sustainable practice, Maier instead focuses in depth on 25 essential medicinal herbs that can be grown in most temperate climates and soils, including: DandelionAshwagandha (Indian Ginseng)GoldensealBurdockCalendulaEchinaceaGoldenrod Whether you are a seasoned clinical herbalist, an herbalist-in-training, or simply someone seeking to provide the best natural health care for your family, this book is a source of inspiration, insight, and answers you will return to again and again.
Recommended by Matthew Wood
“This is a phenomenal addition to the herbal bookshelf. It fills the need for a large, comprehensive herbal formulary—the likes of which we have not seen for a hundred years—yet it is so much more than that: a complete guide to the serious use of herbs from the field and forest to the single remedy or formula in clinic.” (from Amazon)
by Thomas Easley, Steven Horne·You?
by Thomas Easley, Steven Horne·You?
The beloved best-selling classic for the modern herbalist—a definitive guide to 250 safe and effective herbal medicines, preparations, and single-herb remedies to make at home. This comprehensive, full-color guide offers detailed and easy-to-follow instructions for making and using approximately 250 all-natural DIY herbal medicines. With practical tips, in-depth preparation techniques, and an inside look at some of the authors’ own favorite formulas, The Modern Herbal Dispensatory walks beginners and advanced herbalists alike through: • The 12 major categories of herbs, from aromatic to sweet • Herbal preparations: the many ways to prepare and use herbs, from capsules and tinctures to standardized extracts and essential oils • Choosing the best dosage form for each category of herb • How to harvest, dry, and use fresh herbs • Extractions: terms, equipment, solvents, and calculations, plus how to extract herbs in water, alcohol, glycerin, and vinegar • Advanced techniques: like percolation extracts, fluid extracts, and soxhlet extracts • Preparations like oil-based extractions, topical applications, concentrates, lozenges, traditional Chinese methods, and more • Formulas and dosages: how to design herbal formulas and use herbs safely and effectively • Herbal insights and need-to-know wisdom, like why different preparations of the same herb affect the body differently; which herbs are medicinal when dry, but could be toxic when fresh; and why beginners typically see more potent results with formulations versus single-herb preparations The text includes multiple appendices, recommendations for further reading, in-depth full-color photo guides, and a helpful index. With advice on herbal preparations for 100+ illnesses and conditions and a comprehensive materia medica, The Modern Herbal Dispensatory is an enduring classic and beloved plant-medicine reference manual for herbalists, natural medicine practitioners, and anyone seeking safe, holistic, at-home care and inexpensive all-natural remedies.