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Review: An Herbal Medicine Maker's Handbook

© Jodi Wetherup

Title: The Herbal Medicine Maker's Handbook
Author: James Green
Publisher: Crossing Press
Pages: 384
ISBN: 0-89594-990-3
Release/Copyright: © 2000 James Green

On a regular basis, I am checking this book to find remedies for the rashes, scrapes and bruises that children often get when living in the country. This is one of the many books sent to me for review that I will cherish always, as a constant companion rather than just pages between a cover.

James Green has quite obviously spent a great deal of his life in the study of herbalism - not only the often complicated blending and testing of various remedies, but also in the ground work - the growing of the herbs needed to produce the final product.

The book he has chosen to bring forth is an amazing combination of practices both modern and past, including the harvesting of, drying of and wildcrafting of many native North American herbs. But he doesn't stop there, he goes on to detail the kitchen items the hopeful herbalist will need, and those that are nice, but not entirely necessary. Juicers, blenders, mortars and pestles - even the odd product is narrowed down to yes or no in the needful department. Finally - the storage of herbs, salves, oils and more are discussed (which I was particularly interested in!)

Honestly - my only complaint with this book is the size. It's quite large, and as it's paperback, it's difficult to keep in position when reading and taking notes, or working with the herbs etc. That doesn't seem like much of a complaint though does it? *grin*

Quote from Prologue:

"The ever-engaging green-melodies of herbal medicine-making are sung by the seductive voices of your neighboring leaves, roots, barks, rhizomes, flowers, and seeds, while the rhythm you move to is composed entirely within yourself, by the cadence of your creative enjoyment. You'll find yourself swinging to the pleasures of simple fun, personal independence, and a renewed connection with Earth's natural beauty an perpetual abundance. And that's feelin' good, which is the essence of health. The making is the taking of herbal medicine."

Once again, I am delighted to present this book to my readers. As the Earth renews her life in green perhaps we all can take a moment and reflect on her offerings of plant and tree, and the possibilities they carry inside.

'Til next time, be blessed with health and warm weather!

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