Best books about herbal medicine

Discussion in 'Survival Reading Room' started by VHestin, Jun 7, 2015.


  1. VHestin

    VHestin Farm Chick

    I know that in any kind of societal collapse, whether economical, militaristic/terroristic, or Mother Nature reminding us we're not in control(like Yellowstone supervolcano blowing), you can expect to not have access to medical services like we do now(of course sometimes the quality of the medical care is crap anyways, but that's another topic). I've been researching herbal medicine for a while, and my favorite books are Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Herbs(it lists history, cultivation, and whats uses the herbs have. Technically it's not a medical herbal book, but it has such a wealth of info I consider it one. Only downside is I don't think it has enough color pictures of the herbs, just b&w illustrations). My other favorite is The Complete Medicinal Herbal by Penelope Ody. It not only says what herbs are good for what, it tells you how to make the medicine from them. It doesn't include ALL medicinal herbs in the main section, but there are charts in the back with a host of medical conditions and what herbs can be used to treat them(including ones not described in the book). The Eyewitness book series, their one on herbs is also useful, but like Rodale's book, not strictly a medicinal herbal book. I recommend always having more than one source of info for home medicine to compare notes between different authors' preferences. I have been trying to learn herbal medicine for pets too, but I haven't found a good holistic book on dog care yet, but The Natural Cat by Anitra Frazier is good. I know there's one more herbal medicine book I really like, but can't remember the title/author and I can't find it. I swear I kept them in my homesteading library, but it's not there.

    Oh and as a side note, best place to buy seeds/plant of medicinal herbs is Horizon Herbs(Horizon Herbs-Organic growers of medicinal herb seeds, medicinal herb plants, organic vegetable seeds and organic garden seeds.
     
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  2. Ganado

    Ganado Monkey+++

    Last edited: Sep 24, 2015
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  3. Motomom34

    Motomom34 Monkey+++

    I need a book that is good for my AO. It is amazing how some areas of the country seem plentiful and others it seems harder to live off the land.
     
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  4. Ganado

    Ganado Monkey+++

    University and county extension services in garden and livestock usually have the best reference material. It's under USDA but if you Google your county name and 'county extension ' you will find great stuff for your area. They also have master gardener programs. Part of being a 'Master Gardner' is you are required to help other people in your area. Many times you can get them to do an on site on site visit if you need help with a tricky bit of gardening
     
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  5. Tully Mars

    Tully Mars Metal weldin' monkey


    Very true Moto. Another problem up there is the altitude and the shorter growing season. Like @Ganado mentioned the county extension offices were a big help for me. For you, also check the CSU and UW-go cowboys! websites. They are "farm schools" and have good info for your AO.
     
  6. VHestin

    VHestin Farm Chick

    I think it was the extension office here, put out a book about native plants of this area, as well as a booklet on noxious/invasive weeds. And they test pressure canner/cooker gauges for us. And occassionally put out food preservation classes.
     
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  7. BlueDuck

    BlueDuck Monkey+++

    I have a book that is pretty good on Herbs. Its Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs. Check it out, it worth a look see.
     
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  8. Tully Mars

    Tully Mars Metal weldin' monkey


    They do the same here. Came in handy when the wife was given her Grandma's pressure cooker.
     
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  9. VHestin

    VHestin Farm Chick

    That's the first book I mentioned in my post ;)
     
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  10. My favorite medicinal herb book is The Herb Book by John Lust. It is a thick paperback. The first section is general directions on making decoctions, salves, infusions, etc. The next section lists common conditions and herbs used for treatment. The third section is a list of herbs from acacia to Yew. Part Three consists of herbal mixture recipes for various ailments. The last portion of the book covers cooking, cosmetics, dyeing, and folklore. It lists the plants botanical name as well as common nicknames. The downside is that it does not have pictures for all the herbs, but I use it to pick a course of treatment based on what I have. I also like Herbal Antivirals and Herbal Antibiotics, both by Stephen Buhner (his Sacred and Healing Herbal Beers is also excellent).

    I will have to check out Horizon Herbs. I had horrible luck with herbs this year. A surprise late frost killed several of my perennials. I ordered some herbs from Burgess and was disappointed with the germination rate. Amazon is awful. I ordered Siberian Pea Bush seeds and received who knows what.

    An Amish family opened up a greenhouse this year. They had a limited herb selection, but the quality is good.
     
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  11. PoppaJ

    PoppaJ Monkey

    Anyone know the scientific name for ragweed?
     
  12. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

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  13. PoppaJ

    PoppaJ Monkey

  14. Merkun

    Merkun furious dreamer

    Happy sneezing. I do NOT envy you.
     
  15. Illini Warrior

    Illini Warrior Illini Warrior

    here's a PDF download compilation of "turn of the century" herbal medicine reference books - curtesy of The Librarian at the Survivor Library ....

    Library-Herbalism
     
  16. AxesAreBetter

    AxesAreBetter Monkey+++

    Cherokee Herbal, and a few others.
     
  17. OldDude49

    OldDude49 Just n old guy

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