Bibliography
Herbals
There are generally two types of books about herbs that are currently available. One type lists plants that are medicinally used and gives their properties. In order to use this type the reader must have prior knowledge about the appropriate plant for a particular condition. The other type focuses on conditions and symptoms, giving herbs that will help to heal same. Though neither type is ideal, they can help a lot in the exploration of this fascinating field.
The list that follows is only a small selection of what is currently available. I have added commentary to some of these books. When looking for a book on herbs, it is best to go to a bookshop and browse.
British Herbal Medicine Association British Herbal Pharmacopoeia Volume 1, 2, 3.
This is a series of monographs on a number of herbs that gives an insight into the approach of a broadly trained modern herbalist. It is, perhaps, the best modern scientifically based source of information on herbs.
Buchman, Dian D.
Herbal Medicine
Gramercy, 1979
Christopher, Dr. John R.
School of Natural Healing
BiWorld, 1976
One of the best herbals available, although more for the dedicated student of herbalism. It takes the ‘action’ approach as a way of dividing the book. Highly recommended.
Geuter, Maria
Herbs in Nutrition
Bio-Dynamic Agricultural Association
This is a herbal that comes out of the Rudolf
Steiner tradition and shows a deep spiritual
rapport with the herbs that are discussed.
Grieve, Mrs. M.
A Modern Herbal
Dover Publications, 1931
By far the best source book on herbs, their origins, cultivation, medicinal use and folklore. A must.
Hyatt, Richard
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Wildwood House
Kloss, Jethro
Back to Eden
Beneficial Books, 1971
A classic of herbal and naturopathic medicine.
Launert, Edmund
Edible and Medicinal Plants
Hamilton Books
An excellent field guide to herbs in Britain and Northern Europe. Gear illustrations and information.
Lust, John
The Herb Book
Bantam Books, 1974
An American herbal that is a mine of information about the herbs covered, although it omits many British species.
Pahlow, Mannfried
Living Medicine
Thorsons, 1980
This book presents an interestingly holistic approach.
Parvati, Jeannine
Hygieia
Wildwood House, 1978
This is what Herbals are all about. Hygieia is one of the most compassionate and healing books I have ever read. It should be on school curricula as compulsory reading! Apart from the general vision of the book, it is specifically about the use of herbs in the treatment of women. Buy it …
Potter’s New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs Health Science Press, 1975
One of the standard reference books, but it leaves a lot to be desired.
Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan
Province
The Barefoot Doctor’s Manual
Routledge & Kegan Paul
Roberts, Frank
The Encyclopedia of Digestive Disorders
Thorsons
Frank Roberts has presented us with a holistic viewpoint of the treatment—using herbs—of the digestive system. Whilst this has its limitations, the information given is excellent.
de Sloover & Goosens
Wild Herbs: A Field Guide
David & Charles
Another field guide that has excellent colour photographs of the important European herbs.
There is an interesting system of symbols to aid in identification and usage.
Thomson, Willim A.R.
Healing Plants
Mc. Graw-Hill
A sumptuously-illustrated book that would make an excellent Christmas present.
Usher, George
A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man
Constable Ltd.
Vogel, V.J.
American Indian Medicine
Oklahoma Press
Pharmacognosy & Medicine
There is a wealth of information available about the constituents of plants and their use in medicine and pharmacology. The sources tend to be very esoteric academic tomes, but they are well worth exploring. There is a number of scientific journals that focus purely on plant medicines, such as Lloydia, Plant Medica and the Journal of Ethnobotany. The following is a selection of books that will cover the orthodox use of plants.
British Pharmaceutical Codex Especially editions prior to 1949
United States Pharmacopoeia
Martindale
The Extra Pharmacopoeia
Pharmaceutical Press, 1989
Trease & Evans
Pharmacognosy
Bailliere Tindall, 1989
General
There are many books covering various aspects of holistic healing, the New Age and herbalism in general. This is a token selection.
Bailey, Alice A.
Esoteric Healing
Lucis Press, 1953
Bohm, David
Wholeness and the Implicate Order
Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1980
Capra, Fritjof
The Tao of Physics
Fontana/Collins, 1975
Capra, Fritjof
The Turning Point
Wildwood House, 1982
This is one of the most important books to be published in recent years. It is the clearest, most cogent exploration of the social, psychological and spiritual transformation we are going through, that I have come across. Capra’s review of medicine has profound implications for herbal medicine.
Dossey, Larry
Space, Time and Medicine
Shambhala, 1982
Gaskin, Ina M.
Spiritual Midwifery
The Book Publishing Company, 1980
This is an excellent book on natural childbirth.
Griggs, Barbara
Green Pharmacy
Norman & Hobhouse, 1981
A unique and insightful history of herbal medicine to the present day.
Grigson, Geoffrey
The Englishman’s Flora
Paladin
An excellent book on the folklore of British plants.
Lovelock, J.E.
Gaia, A new look at life on Earth
Oxford University Press, 1979
Poucher, W. A.
Perfumes, Cosmetics and Soaps
Chapman and Hall, HB, 1975; PB, 1978
Schultes and Hoffmann
Plants of the Gods
Hutchinson
This book explores the use of hallucinogenic plants around the world. It is a testimony to the spiritual and ecological relationship between humanity and our planet.
Sheldrake, Rupert
A new science of Life
Blond & Briggs, 1988
Shuttle, Penelope
Redgrove, Peter
The Wise Wound, Eve’s Curse and Everywoman
Gollancz, 1978
The Wise Wound explores the process of menstruation and the mental attitudes related to it.
Simonton, Carl and Stephanie
Getting Well Again
Tarcher, 1978
In this book the Simontons describe their very successful approach of treating cancer with both physical and psychological methods.
