Called the Mvskoke in their language, the Creek Indians of Oklahoma continue to practice traditional medicine. In "Creek Indian Medicine Ways," David Lewis, a full-blood Mvskoke and practicing medicine man, tells about the medicine tradition that has shaped his life. Born into a family of medicine people, he was chosen at birth to carry on the tradition. He shares his memories here about his childhood training and initiation as a medicine man as well as his remembrances about his father and grandmother, who trained him. Lewis reveals part of the sacred story of the origin of plants and he identifies some of the plants he uses in his cures. He also describes several of the ceremonies his teachers taught him, stressing throughout the sacredness and importance of Mvskoke medicine.

Ann T. Jordan, a Euroamerican anthropologist, documents the place of Lewis's medicine family in the written record. Lewis is the great grandson of Jackson Lewis, who was interviewed in 1910 by anthropologist John Swanton. Jackson Lewis is mentioned numerous times in Swanton's classic works on Mvskoke medicine and culture, published by the Bureau of American Ethnology in the 1920s. David Lewis is the direct inheritor of his great grandfather's medicine knowledge.

"The Earthwise Herbal" is one of very few books derived from direct experience in the actual use of medicinal herbs, in tens of thousands of cases, over a twenty-five year career. The description of herbs and their uses therefore grows organically out of experience, extensive study of literature and plants in the wild, and conversations with knowledge peers and teachers. The book is holistic, unlike an approach restricted to scientific research alone. Focusing on Old World medicinal plants of Western herbalism, author and registered herbalist Matthew Wood seeks to explain the use of the whole plant-not just 'active ingredients' - in the treatment of the whole person.Organized as a material medica (names and descriptions of herbs/plants are listed alphabetically), the book describes characteristic symptoms and conditions in which the plant has proved useful in the clinic, often illustrated with interesting case histories. In addition, it is historical, Wood being one of very few writers who has systematically and extensively studied ancient and traditional herbal literature, rather than the occasional text. The context and writing style of this book is intended to appeal to the imagination and intuition, and to help both the student and practitioner gain insight into the 'logic' of a plant: how it works, in what areas of the body it works, how it has been used in the past, what its pharmacological constituents indicate about its use, and how all these different factors hang together to produce a portrait of the plant as a whole entity.

Due to overwhelming demand since its debut ten years ago, this beloved guide to the herbal wisdom of Mother Nature is back! With ancient folklore, simple instructions for growing an herb garden, and recipes from around the world, "Mother Nature's Herbal" is hands-down the most unique, thoughtful, and comprehensive guide to growing and preparing herbs.Divided into sections and graced with charming illustrations, this book is the perfect addition to any budding herbalist's kitchen counter. Part one presents a rich tapestry of centuries-old customs, recipes, and mythology from various cultures, including Native American, South American, Asian, Mediterranean, medieval, colonial, and more. Part two explains how to grow and use your own organic herbs. Make them thrive with tips on tending the soil, guarding against pests, and keeping your plants healthy. Once you've harvested your herbs, experiment with an assortment of recipes for foods, teas, tonics, ointments, and medicines. Explore the magical benefits of herbs, and enjoy invigorated health and a rejuvenated spirit!

We all need a personal sanctuary - a place where we can be in harmony with the natural world and can nurture our bodies, minds, and souls. And this sanctuary doesn't have to be an exotic destination, it can be in your own backyard. In her new book, Creating Sanctuary, bestselling author Jessi Bloom taps into multiple sources of traditional plant wisdom to help readers find a deeper connection to the outdoor space they already have - no matter the size. Equal parts inspirational and practical, this engaging guide includes tips on designing a healing space, plant profiles for 50 sacred plants, recipes that harness the medicinal properties of plants, and simple instructions for daily rituals and practices for self-care. Projects include herbal-based salves and creams, an herbal dream pillow, a smudge stick, a more. Hands-on, inspiring, and beautiful, Creating Sanctuary is a must-have for nature lovers and gardeners seeking new ways to revitalise their lives.

INDIGENOUS CULTURES / HERBAL HEALING "Plant Spirit Shamanism takes readers into realms that defy rational logic and scientific theory, showing graphically that we humans are not the only intelligent life on this planet. From their extensive travels to indigenous cultures that understand life very differently from those in the 'developed' world, the authors reveal a wealth of plant knowledge that has been lost to Western civilization. This book is both a fascinating read and a considerable challenge to the orthodox mind." --Leo Rutherford, author of The Way of Shamanism and Your Shamanic Path In Plant Spirit Shamanism, Ross Heaven and Howard G. Charing explore the use of one of the major allies of shamans for healing, seeing, dreaming, and empowerment--plant spirits. After observing great similarities in the use of plants among shamans throughout the world, they discovered the reason behind these similarities: Rather than dealing with the "medical properties" of the plants or specific healing techniques, shamans are communing with the spirits of the plants themselves. From their years of in-depth shamanic work in the Amazon, Haiti, and Europe, including extensive field interviews with master shamans, Heaven and Charing present the core methods of plant shamanism used in healing rituals the world over: soul retrieval, spirit extraction, sin eating, and the Amazonian tradition of pusanga (love medicine). They explain the techniques shamans use to establish connections to plant spirits and provide practical exercises as well as a directory of traditional Amazonian and Caribbean healing plants and their common North American equivalents so readers can explore the world of plant spirits andmake them allies of their own. ROSS HEAVEN is a therapist and workshop leader specializing in personal development, healing, and shamanism. He offers indigenous medicine retreats and workshops worldwide. His books include The Spiritual Practices of the Ninja, Darkness Visible, and Vodou Shaman. Howard G. Charing is a director of the Eagle Wing's Centre for Contemporary Shamanism, has taught at Dr. Michael Harner's Foundation for Shamanic Studies, and leads workshops and medicine retreats in the United Kingdom, the Peruvian Amazon basin, and the Andes. Both authors live in England.

With herbal medicine and the use of tree preparations set to become a significant part of mainstream healthcare in the 21st century, Peter Conway explains how we can unlock their ancient healing properties to benefit our health. In this important book he looks at: The history of trees in medicine; Why trees are effective in healing; The role of trees in herbal medicine, aromatherapy and flower and tree essences; The various types of preparation, with step-by-step instructions where appropriate; Professional help with tree medicine - what is available and what to expect; Self-help using tree medicine - which conditions can be treated and how; Other approaches to healing with trees; wood carving, growing trees, tree meditation; Descriptions of the healing properties of over 150 trees from around the world.

The modern techniques of holistic and alternative healing and natural remedies have been alive in the "old ways" of Native American medicine for centuries. This comprehensive guide introduces the Native American concept of healing, which incorporates body, mind, and spirit and stresses the importance of keeping all three in balance.

Dr. Anthony Cichoke explains the philosophy behind American Indian healing practices as well as other therapies, such as sweat lodges, used in conjunction with herbs. He examines each herb in an accessible A-to-Z format, explaining its healing properties and varying uses in individual tribes. Finally, he details Native American healing formulas and recipes for treating particular ailments, from hemorrhoids to stress.

Echinacea is regarded as one of the most popular medicinal herbs in the western world. This group of plants is reported to contain substances that boost the immune system, but which species is most potent, and how should it be taken? These and other relevant questions are discussed in this user-friendly guide. Written by a practising medical herbalist specialising in immune-stimulating plants, this informative book looks at the history and science of echinacea, with the aim of equipping the consumer to make the best choice for the most benefit. The plant can: - Break the cycle of chronic bacterial infection - Prevent the onset of bacterial infection - Speed the healing of wounds, burns and insect bites - Help in chronic conditions like arthritis and skin diseases. Although echinacea has a role in alleviating many conditions, it may have an even greater use as a preventative and in helping people to stay well. The book advises on dosages for specific complaints, explains what preparations to look for, and provides references and resources. For those seeking sound, practical information on the uses and benefits of echinacea, this is the ideal companion.

'Root to Stem is a seasonal and holistic approach to health that puts plants, herbs and nature at the heart of how we live and eat. It is a new kind of guide that links individual health to our communities and the planet's health to sustain us all.' This perfect companion to the seasons, this book will show you how to take greater control over your own health and well-being, treat everyday ailments, and ensure the sustainability of the planet through discovering how to forage, grow, or shop for plant- and herb-based foods and products. Including: Detox in the spring with sorrel, cleavers and nettles. Harvest summer lime leaf shoots to soothe digestive upsets and feed gut microbes. Bake a Lammas loaf to celebrate the autumnal equinox. Boost your winter immunity with red berries, purple potatoes and rosehips. Root-to-stem eating encourages you to use every edible part of plant, including the leaves, skin, seeds and stalks. Travelling through the four seasons, expert medical herbalist Alex Laird shares the natural ingredients that are available on your doorstep, simple delicious recipes and easy-to-make herbal remedies.

This book is a dictionary of British (native, naturalised and cultivated) plants and the folklore associated with them. Unlike many plant-lore publications Vickery's Folk Flora tells us what people currently do and believe, rather than what Victorians did and believed. The result is a vivid demonstration that plant folklore in the British Isles is not only surviving but flourishing; adapting and evolving as time goes by, even in urban areas. Each entry includes: - The plant's English and scientific (Latin) name, as well as significant local names. - A brief description of the plant and its distribution, and, in the case of cultivated plants, a history of their introduction to the British Isles - Information on the folklore and traditional uses of the plant, arranged where possible in a sequence starting with general folk beliefs (superstitions), use in traditional customs, use in folk medicine, other uses, and legends concerning individual representatives of the plant. In addition to the major entries there are a number of minor entries for feast days, diseases and other subjects which direct readers to relevant major entries, e.g. St. George's Day, on which red roses are worn; dandelions are gathered; and runner beans are planted.

"Jeanne Rose's Herbal Body Book" pairs a wide variety of ailments with possible plant cures. Each plant recommended is described in anecdotal detail. This book includes recipes for the newcomer and expert. It also includes a glossary of specialized terms, herbs, and recipes. Everything you need from hair products to belly salve for a pregnant woman is inside this most useful companion. Jeanne Rose encourages the reader to make your own blend of herbs to target specific conditions and not only follow a limited number of recipes.

In Cannabis Pharmacy, expert Michael Backes offers evidence-based information on using cannabis to treat an array of ailments and conditions. He provides information on how cannabis works with the body's own system, how best to prepare and administer it, and how to modify and control dosage. This newly revised edition is now completely up-to-date with the latest information on the body's encannabinoid system, which is now understood to control emotion, appetite, and memory, delivery and dosing of cannabis, including e-cigarette designs, additional varietals, and a new system for classification, as well as 21 additional ailments and conditions that can be treated with medical marijuana. There are currently more than 4.2 million medical cannabis patients in the United States, and there are 25 states plus the District of Columbia where medical cannabis is legal

An expertly curated collection of natural and therapeutic approaches to boost everyday mental wellness and extra support when you need it the most. This mental wellness book helps you manage stressful periods as well as other biological factors that impact your mental well-being. You'll learn how to boost and holistically balance your mental state using natural remedies. Neal's Yard Remedies Mental Wellness is filled with holistic techniques, herbal remedies, essential oils, foods, exercise, lifestyle strategies, and therapies to empower you. This book offers: - The most comprehensive compendium of natural remedies and therapies for mental wellness on the market - Organised chapters on Herbal remedies, Aromatherapy, Foods (including supplements), Exercise and Movement, and Alternative Therapies - A Symptom Checker which you can explore symptoms and access solutions in the book, based on your current need This beautiful, uplifting book explores how things like the environment, the seasons, hormonal shifts, sleep quality, and gut health can influence your mental health. Delve into how lifestyle choices can inhibit your mental health such as caffeine, alcohol, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, pollution, screen time and isolation from the community. This wellness guide offers uplifting and informed information on why you may experience stress and anxiety, providing you with reassurance and strategies to combat these feelings. Explores the science behind natural remedies and use this book as a reliable resource for advice on mindfulness, yoga, breathing exercises, acupuncture, herbal remedies, and reiki. This series of wellness books explore natural, holistic remedies to boost physical and psychological health and help you find the best solutions for yourself! Other titles in this series include Neal's Yard Remedies Essential Oils and Neal's Yard Remedies Complete Wellness.

Easy massage routines to soothe your baby and communicate love. To a baby, touch is talk, and with these soothing techniques, you and your child can share some of your most fulfilling communicative moments. Calm and comfort your baby from head to toe with a step-by-step full-body massage; discover ways to incorporate massage into your baby's day-to-day routine; and ease common ailments such as colic, teething, and constipation. With expert guidance from a Certified Infant Massage Instructor, explore the physical and emotional benefits of baby massage and enjoy this most intimate way to relax, soothe, and nurture.

Bestselling author Georgia Varozza takes the difficulty out of creating healing teas, general cleaning items, and personal care products. Her recipes, which have served generations of Plain people, contain common household ingredients and are easy to make and use. You'll find 99 creative ways to clean your home and heal your body with salves, ointments, and tonics for aches and pains teas for colds, flu, allergies, and headaches cleaning solutions for around the house (inside and out) You don't have to forego electricity or drive a horse and buggy to have your life and house benefit from the sweet simplicity of Amish remedies. You will find these home remedies to be so much easier and less expensive that you will wonder why you've been using chemicals for all of these years. You will also find information about Amish and Mennonite stores in case you wish to order practical products Plain people use and enjoy. Let these old-fashioned but eminently useful and effective options bring the simple life into your home every day.

"Pendell's ongoing subjects are the botanical allies' humans have always associated with, and the pharmakon, ' the drug that is both poison and cure. A poet, ethno-botanist and amateur chemist, he's the best writer on drugs to come along since the late Terence McKenna."-Richard Gehr, "The Village Voice"

"There is genius to Pendell's approach, an erudite playfulness and poetic virtuosity unmatched by anyone writing about plants and drugs today. Pendell's books present a Pandora's box, and once opened, the steadfast and curious reader will soon find herself on the path."-Sarah Fox, "Rain Taxi"

Contemporary alchemist Dale Pendell completes his poetic study of botany, chemistry, spirituality, psychology and history in a volume covering the composition and uses of visionary plants. Chapters including "Phantastica," "Hypnotica" and "Telephorica" explore the hallucinogenic plants, the bringers of sleep and the bearers of distance. Pharmacognosis is the branch of pharmacology that deals with herbs and unprepared medicines in their natural state, those whose cure is held in a deeper wisdom. "Pharmako/Gnosis" weaves together ancient shamanic rites, historic cultural lore and the contemporary use of plant poisons.

Dale Pendell is a poet, software engineer and longtime student of ethnobotany. His poetry has appeared in many journals, and he was the founding editor of "KUKSU: Journal of Backcountry Writing," In addition, his work appeared in "Entheogens and the Future of Religion," edited by Robert Forte. He has led workshops on ethnobotany and ethnopoetics for the Naropa Institute and the Botanical Preservation Corps. He lives in the Sierra foothills in California.