Thursday, December 26, 2019

REVIEW Opening Our Wild Hearts to the Healing Herbs (Part 2)

Opening Our Wild Hearts to the Healing Herbs (Part 2)
A Florilegia for the Wild Heart Tribe
Gail Faith Edwards

This is the Materia Medica section of Gail Faith Edward's long awaited revised edition of her brilliant and ground-breaking 1995 book, Opening Our Wild Hearts to the Healing Herbs which is now out of print.

First though, Gail shares valuable information about how we need to approach and respect our plant allies.  The beginning of the book is filled with an incredible amount of information that can only come from a woman who has seen the world as an adventurous maiden, a nurturing mother, and finally a wise and generous crone.
She explains the way of the wild heart, discusses the Wheel of the Year, and shares thoughts on cultural appropriation and caring for the vulnerable allies that we are threatening with our carelessness.
She talks about several systems and approaches to herbalism.  There is seriously an entire education before we even get to the herbs.

But then we DO get to the healing herbs.  Gail's writing has the tone of a story-teller, so that each herb is a different tale.  She shares history, lore, personal experiences, facts, and so much more.  Agrimony, Cannabis, Devil's Club, Kava Kava, Schisandra. Tobacco, Uva Ursi AND the "regulars" like Burdock, Chickweed, Dandelion, Garlic, etc., are covered, as well as there being a section on medicinal mushrooms.

If you haven't yet become familiar with Gail's writings, do yourself a favor and get to know her.
Pre-order the new book!
The first volume is equally brilliant.

Order Volume 1

I'm so glad to see her work back available to aspiring herbalists!

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