Reconnect. Restore. Reciprocate. Repairing landscapes and reconnecting us to the wild plant communities around us. Integrating restoration practices, foraging, herbalism, rewilding, and permaculture, Wild Plant Culture is a comprehensive guide to the ecological restoration of native edible and medicinal plant communities in Eastern North America. Blending science, practice, and traditional knowledge, it makes bold connections that are actionable, innovative, and ecologically imperative for repairing both degraded landscapes and our broken cultural relationship with nature. Coverage includes: Understanding and engaging in mutually beneficial human-plant connections Techniques for observing the land's existing and potential plant communities Baseline monitoring, site preparation, seeding, planting, and maintaining restored areas Botanical fieldwork restoration stories and examples Detailed profiles of 209 native plants and their uses. Both a practical guide and an evocative read that will transport you deep into the natural landscape, Wild Plant Culture is an essential toolkit for gardeners, farmers, and ecological restoration practitioners, highlighting the important role humans play in tending and mending native plant communities.

In this second "Earthwise Herbal" ('herbal', as defined by Merriam-Webster, is 'a book about plants especially with reference to their medicinal properties') Matthew Wood, an expert herbalist who has used medicinal herbs in tens of thousands of cases over a twenty-five-year career, provides detailed descriptions of New World (North American) herbs and their uses. The first volume of this two-volume set, "The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants", was published by North Atlantic Books in May 2008. Organized as a material medica (names and descriptions of herbs/plants are listed alphabetically), the book explains the use of the whole plant - not just 'active ingredients' - in the treatment of the whole person and describes symptoms and conditions that the plants have been successful in treating (digestive ailments, headaches, high blood pressure, asthma, skin rashes, and allergies, to name a few). Wood, one of very few writers who has systematically studied ancient and traditional herbal literature, rather than the occasional text, takes a historical view and presents information in a thoughtful, engaging, non-technical style. In addition, he provides remarkable case studies as well as insight into the 'logic' of each plant - its current usage, past usage, pharmacological constituents, and other elements that together produce a comprehensive portrait of the plant.

"It has been an honor to be associated with David Dalton's work for many years, witnessing his skills as a healer and teacher.... David combines an extraordinary passion for both plants and people." -Patricia Kaminski, director of The Flower Essence Society, Nevada City, California "This is an outstanding resource.... David writes from his rich experience as a therapist and flower essence practitioner in presenting each flower portrait with clarity and fullness. I am especially grateful for the way David has moved beyond descriptions and indications to more fully develop the true character of each essence and the personality traits of those who could benefit from each of these 'stars.'" -Kate Gilday, herbalist, Woodland Essence, Cold Brook, New York "David Dalton has made an inestimable contribution to the study and use of flower essences. His work deepens the understanding of the particular energetics of flowers, as well as providing a system of diagnosis and use. Attention especially to herbalists and lovers of the plant world: in Stars of the Meadow, you will re-meet many medicine plants you are familiar with in a new and profound way." -Claudia Keel, Earthflower Herbals Flower essences are liquid, energetic remedies derived from living flowers. They bring the natural dynamic energy of the plant directly into the human electro-system, where they work to bring about movement toward health and balance. Because of their energetic and living quality, they work directly and deeply in the emotional system, assisting in the release of early wounds and trauma. These suppressed imprints are considered to be a main causes of many types of diseases or imbalances today. Flower essences are a perfect complement to many of today's health practices. They enhance the effects of energy work, physical therapy, acupuncture, psychotherapy, cranial-sacral work, massage, aroma therapy and many other forms of healing and treatment. Flower essences are safe, natural, and non-toxic. Continuing the work of Edward Bach, Stars of the Meadow looks deeply into the relationship between health and the human personality. David Dalton takes us on a thorough and soulful exploration of how to use more than forty medicinal herbs as flower essences, portraying each flower in a way that is both substantive and inspired. Each description is organized to present a picture of how the flower essence affects the adult personality as it has been formed through life, and describes its direct clinical effects on children and animals. Dalton also connects different types of flowers-based on the number and arrangement of petals as well as associated colors and qualities-to the system of human chakras, or energy centers. This innovative approach allows the reader to discover new ways to employ flower essences to focus on specific areas of one's being, from the most physical to the highest levels, allowing a kind of flexibility rarely found in any single system of healing. Stars of the Meadow is a valuable guide not only for those who are new to flower essences, but also for seasoned herbalists who wish to deepen their knowledge of this effective method of healing body, mind, and soul.

Best-selling author and herbalist Stephanie L. Tourles offers reliable guidance on using essential oils effectively and safely. This friendly, accessible introduction to the 25 most versatile oils for health and wellness highlights the key characteristics of lavender, chamomile, eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, tea tree, and other popular oils. You'll learn how to blend and apply these highly concentrated aromatherapy oils for use from head to toe. The 100 recipes - including Tranquil Demeanor Balm, Super Herbal Antibacterial Drops, Sunburn Rescue Spray, Sore Muscle Bath Salts, and Dream Weaver's Relaxing Rub - offer fragrant, natural ways to enhance well-being and promote healing.

Poison Prescriptions is a stunningly illustrated grimoire of some of the most notorious plants: henbane, datura, belladonna, among others. It is also a practical guide to plant magic, medicine and ritual, offering advice to professional and home herbalists, to those interested in forgotten lore and the old ways, and to all those who wish to reclaim control of their own wellbeing. This book urges the resurrection of the ancient tradition of using these witching herbs in ritual and medicine. Now is the time to relink magic and medicine in the context of modern herbalism and contemporary witchcraft. Discover: Safe ways of interacting with the witching herbs to usher in wellbeing and healing. Practical activities ranging from meditations and folklore writing to wreath making and beer brewing. Step-by-step instructions to creating the powerful witches' Flying Ointment and using it in ritual, sex magic and lucid dreaming.

Herbs are hot! And in Making Love Potions, bestselling author Stephanie L. Tourles shows you how to bring that heat into your bedroom. Tourles playfully presents 64 easy recipes for natural body oils, balms, tonics, bath blends, and sweet treats to share with your special someone. This celebration of life and pleasure arouses the senses with such irresistible recipes as "Come Hither" Body Powder, Cocoa-Chai "Kiss 'n' Make Up" Lip Butter, and Vanilla Intrigue Massage Oil. Most recipes use simple, common ingredients, making them both simple and quick to prepare. With beautiful illustrations and engaging explanations of the power that herbs, flowers, and natural oils have over our physical bodies, Making Love Potions is the perfect gift for herb lovers -- and all lovers -- everywhere.

"Seven Peppercorns" covers the vast scope of traditional Thai medicine practices including: Thai element theory, physical therapies, medical Buddhism, herbal medicine for massage, divinatory practices, and spirit medicine; all held within the context of a Thai bodyworker's instructional manual. This is not another step-by-step Thai massage photographic sequence book, but rather an in-depth training in the theory behind the steps, with instruction in a wide range of esoteric Thai physical therapies designed to bring practical understanding of Thai bodywork as it is practiced by traditional doctors in Thailand. "Seven Peppercorns" is divided into twelve main segments; each segment containing several chapters. The organizational flow takes the reader from introduction, overview and history, through an understanding of Thai anatomy, including element, point, and sen line theory, to instruction in Thai diagnosis, actual physical manipulations and practical application of the shamanistic and Buddhist components of traditional Thai medicine as it applies to bodywork; all in an easy-to-follow well organized format. Included in this guide are Thai self care practices and exercises as well as treatment guidelines for specific disorders. "Seven Peppercorns" serves as both an instruction manual and a reference book fully annotated with appendixes, notes, glossary, bibliography and index. The straightforward academic informational writing is gentled with moments of conversational author-to-reader comments (often humorous), and peppered with short personal narrative stories that bring the reader into the sensory tapestry of Thailand. It is intended as a stand alone manual, or as a text book for Thai massage instructors to use in classes.

Cannabis for Seniors is written for independent seniors looking for ways to manage their everyday health concerns without resorting to powerful, habit-forming, potentially dangerous medications. It is also written for younger family members who care for seniors or simply "keep an eye on" a mother or father who is aging and needs a little help managing physical ailments and mental challenges. Cannabis for Seniors reviews the latest scientific research regarding the health effects of marijuana and the effectiveness of various cannabis strains for managing specific health conditions. It also presents anecdotal reports on cannabis use by seniors -- so readers can learn about people "just like them" who have tried medical marijuana and had good results. The book addresses the myths and worries that many seniors have about marijuana use showing which concerns are founded in fact and which are simply based on inadequate or partial information. It discusses various methods of administering medical marijuana, explaining which conditions are best handled by smoking, eating, or using skin patches containing active medicinal cannabis components. It deals in detail with the major conditions that cannabis can help: * Sleep issues * Depression * Alzheimer's disease * Chronic pain * Anxiety * Digestive disorders * Cancer * Glaucoma * Multiple sclerosis * Parkinson's disease * Concussions * Stroke * and many more For each condition, Cannabis for Seniors explains the scientific research and personal anecdotes supporting use of medical marijuana -- helping seniors decide for themselves, or with the help of a caregiver, how best to cope with their personal health situations. Cannabis for Seniors also discusses social elements of life that are facilitated by marijuana. Research shows that seniors who remain connected to friends, family members and community live longer, happier and healthier lives. The book shows how medical marijuana can help with these important social connections.