Common Herbs for Natural Health

This author is The Matriarch of Herbalism among the inner circle, which includes well known practicing herbalists, "celebrity" herbalists, other authors, and many thousands of community herbalists all over the world. My 30 year old copy- my very first herb book - is falling apart so I just ordered another because it contains a lifetime of tried and true herbal information for personal and professional practice. Anyone starting out in their understanding of this field, as well as anyone who has been studying for years, should have this, and all her books, on their shelves, and use them! If you do, you will "get it". This book is recommended to educate and enlighten those who have been brainwashed by the media to think "herbs are drugs", or poisons, or worse- as it clears up issues of practical usage, and proper usage, and everyday applications, by someone with decades of experience , well respected the world over. It contains useful, full descriptions of many common herbs (the "materia medica"), some not so common, some , in older versions, which may have fallen out of use or access. A story emerges of herbal use all over the planet for health care, and along with this information, the author shares her insights into incorporating natural living to promote robust health and vitality. No fads here- just classical, timeless, tried and true, unchanging , eternally helpful enlightenment.

I was astonished at the vast amount of invaluable information I found in the pages of COMMONS HERBS FOR NATURAL HEALTH (Herbals of Our Foremothers) by Juliette de Bairacli Levy. Readers will be rewarded by a detailed listing of 200 worldwide herbs. You will learn how to find them, store them, and prepare them to help treat many common ailments. Don't be surprised if the recipes contained in the back of the book will have you searching your yard late at night for the intriguing ingredients.This book is a must-read for any herbalist enthusiast, or anyone who has a slight interest in alternative medicine. I can easily see this book being passed on from generation to generation; the information is priceless. After reading this treasure, it fully convinced me to change the topic of my college thesis. I'm happy to say I couldn't have read any better book to start me on the path of learning this ancient tradition.

Julliette's book was the guide I turned to again and again as I raised my daughters, now 16 and 18. Her grounded knowledge of naturual childrearing was the missing link I needed. My mother, a product of the public health indoctrination of the 50's and 60's, knew little about caring for children without a doctor. As a young breastfeeding mother, refusing vaccinations, raising my daughters as vegetarians, using natural health care, home-educating . . . I liked her calm, balanced approach. She opened me to a world of life and healing that I had not encountered as a child and young woman.As a midwife, this text was one I referred to frequently as I learned my art. Her belief that "the births of her children, are surely the greatest event in a woman's life" continues to influence me greatly. The many natural remedies found within her text still form the basis of my practise many years later.I am happy to see that this book long-out-of-print has been re-released.

My grandmother was an immigrant from Russia and with her transition to this country in the late 1800's came a wealth of knowledge of herbs and their power to heal. To this day, I still use herbs in the treatment of many minor health problems from colds, sore throats, insect bites, minor infections, headaches and symptoms of menopause. "Common Herbs for Natural Health" brings back memories of my grandmother's garden where fresh herbs grew abundant, and her kitchen which contained herbs of every description. Many of the uses for herbs found in this back are generations old; They are tried and true - they worked then and they work now. That is not to say, herbs are the solution for every illness. For example, I would never attempt to treat a serious infection with herbs alone, but they certainly do have their time and place, as this book will indicate. Herbs can be an optimum solution to many problems. Since they are a natural source, they generally have fewer side effects, as long as you know and understand what herbs not to blend together. They are also less costly than medications found on a store shelf. This books contains a vast amount of information on the herbs and suggests which ones to use for various treatments. It is a book anyone who is a believer in natural health care and healing will want to own.

I ordered this wonderful book last year because I was interested in herbal medicine. Since that time, I have used this book countless times for common ailments like colds, flu, bug bites, scrapes, bruises, etc. In almost every case, the recommendations given by Ms. Levy work as well or better than expensive, over the counter medications & salves. Some of the herbal recommendations, including using fresh basil on insect bites have results which are almost miraculous. I highly recommend this book. It's very interesting reading as well, Ms. Bairacli Levy infuses it with her life experiences garnered by learned about herbal medicine from indigenous people around the world. I cannot say enough about this book...it is one of the best and most helpful books I've ever bought.