Before flowering plants, the earth was dominated by so-called, more primitive vegetation. Plants and fungi moved from the oceans onto land and created symbiotic relationships that continue today.

The medicinal uses of ferns and their allies, including horsetail, clubmoss, liverworts, mosses and lichens is poorly explored.

In this volume you will find a plethora of reasons to appreciate and utilize these ancient healing remedies.

First Nations and natives of North America classified medicinal plant according to energetics of animals.

Bear medicine, for example, is related to Bear Root ("Hedysarum alpinum"), Osha, Angelica root, and Lomatium ("Lomatium dissectum"). These are brown, furry, oily plants that bears seek out in spring after hiberation. Burdock, an introduced herb, could be included in this group, as the genus name Arcticum is from the Greek, meaning Bear. Bearberry ("Arctostaphylos uva-ursi") literally means grape of the bear.

Bear medicine is useful for building up reserve energy via the adrenal system.

Snake medicines, such as Tarragon, "Polygala seneca," and "Sanicula marylandica" have twisted roots that look like serpents. They are often added to herbal combinations to add wisdom or direction to the medicines.

Rabbit root ("Aralia nudicaulis") gives flexibility, agility and muscular strength.

Elk medicines are associated with luck, in hunting, fishing, gambling and love. These antler-shaped herbs help increase kidney strength and sexual energy. Examples include Cleavers, Staghorn Sumach, and Wild Bergamot ("Monarda fistulosa").

In this volume we will look at plants associated with and named after elk, bears, deer, moose, skunk, muskrat, beaver, snakes, buffalo, turtles, fox and rabbits. Not just the plants, because wild moose, elk and beaver parts are valuable sources of food and medicine as well.

This book is a whimsical look at the relationship between members of the Cat family and medicinal plants and fungi. From cattail to pussytoes, from tiger lily to lion's mane, the book provides in-depth health information on a wide variety of easily identified, collected and prepared plant and mushroom medicines.

The doctor of the future will give no medicine,
but will interest... patients in the care of the human frame,
in a proper diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease. THOMAS A. EDISON

This volume focuses on vegetables and health. Everyone knows a diet containing a variety of phyto-nutrients is our best insurance to maintain wellness and prevent dis-ease.

Every day, scientists are discovering a wealth of health supporting nutrients in our vegetables.

It may surprise you the wealth of protection and goodness in your next salad or smoothie. Enjoy

"Men have forgotten this truth," said the fox. "But you must not forget it. You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed." ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPERY

Wild plants have for long, been used by herbalists and folk healers for medicine. Many insights into the value of indigenous plants were gathered by observing animals heal themselves by ingesting plants in their environment.

First Nations peoples of North America related certain qualities of animals to plants, giving powers of strength, bravery, swiftness, wisdom, or patience to plants and in turn, to themselves.

The book is dedicated to dogs, wolves, foxes, coyotes and other members of genus canis. Common names are often scorned by taxonomists in favor of the binomial system of plant identification developed by Linnaeus. In this book you will find reference to both, a less dogmatic approach if you will.

I was a wolf cub (cub scout) when younger, and this may be what led me to this writing this collection.

Or maybe being married to a beautiful woman who teaches dream work, mythology and depth psychology has rubbed off. "Women Who Run With the Wolves" by Clarissa Pinkola Estes is the foundation of one course, and of course, my dogged unconscious can run wild. To quote Clarissa: ""It's not by accident that the pristine wilderness of our planet disappears as the understanding of our own inner wild nature fades. It is not so difficult to comprehend why old forests and old women are viewed as not very important resource. It is not such a mystery. It is not so coincidental that wolves and coyotes, bears and wildish women have similar reputations.""

Don't be afraid to go out on a limb. That is where the fruit is. UNKNOWN.

This volume explored the health and medicinal benefits of fruits that grow in northern climates. Some are indigenous and others introduced. Fruit is derived from the Latin FRUITUS meaning, "to enjoy." Fruit contains a vast variety of compounds that both prevent disease and maintain health and well-being. Modern research has discovered that many of these nutrients are synergistic and surpass artificial vitamins and minerals in both availability and potency. And they taste better

There is not much else to say, expect to whet your appetite, and bite in. The life you extend may be your own. Enjoy.

The doctrine of signatures is a largely misunderstood concept that looks at shape, color, smell and other expressions in plant leaves and flowers.

Using imagination and intution, herbalists relate these qualities to various expressions of disease, or individual body parts.

This book is part educational, and part whimsical look at plants and their relationship to organ systems of the body.

Why a book about herbs named after birds? I'm not really sure, but the idea took flight one evening while watching geese returning to the north in late spring.

It was geese, to gooseberry to goose grass, to duckweed, to bird's foot trefoil and away it went, in my mind. Chicken of the woods, birds's nest and turkey tail next came to mind.

I then began to explore the phrase "birds of a feather," and realized that herbalism is often a lonely profession; colleagues and students are special and rare.

A feather in one's cap signifies a special or distinct accomplishment, and it is true that herbal studies are often associated with inner learning and integration.

The expression "in fine or good feather" means to be in good humor or health, and that is the whole idea of this book. A bird in the hand suggests you are already in possession of something such as this book, while two birds in the bush are something unsure or tentative. So take a gander. If you are a night owl, all the better.