Herbal Medicine for beginners

[dare2]

Instead of taking over Leanne's topic on herbal medicine favorites, I thought it best to start a new topic.

What would the experienced here recommend for those who are just beginning to delve into the herbal medicine world?  To me, it all seems a little overwhelming!

[rippleintime]

I've been studying herbs and natural medicine since 1976 and I still consider
myself somewhat of a novice.  Yes, it can be overwhelming, especially if you
rely on books alone.  One of the best teaching tools I know of is to walk
around a piece of property with someone that can help you with identification
or take a Red Moon course.  Ila Hatter, in North Carolina, also has video tapes that are somewhat helpful for beginners.   Not quite comprehensive enough for me, but a good place to start and less confusing than photos in books.  We humans learn better when  we are shown.  Good Luck and pass on what you learn, you might help us all.

[alaynacole]

I am a big fan of checking out the wild herbs in your bioregion... connect with them and learn how they each offer themselves to you.

For example, my yard is full of dandelions, wild violets, plantain and chickweed.  YUM!  Just those four herbs can keep me busy all spring and summer!

Enjoy exploring!
Dana

[Leanne]

A agree with Dana; getting to know your local plants is a wonderful (the best!) place to start. Start in your own yard. Identify and spend time with them. Sit with them and breathe their air, talking, singing and listening to them. Read books about them. Draw, photograph and make simple medicines with them. A wonderful way to teach yourself about herbal medicine is to ally yourself with one plant and spend a year with it, making every possible form of food and medicine with it. There are many ways to use medicinal herbs and becoming intimate with one plant removes much of the confusion and overwhelming information you encounter when trying to learn it all at once.

If you can't take a local class, www.HerbMentor.com is another great resource for information.

Green Blessings!
Leanne

[wiseone]

Can anyone recommend any books or authors who could help newbies like us learn how to get connected with the plants?
thanks!

[Shraddhananda]

Here are a list of some great books to get started...

Healing Wise by Susun Weed.  Rich explanation of seven common herbs.

Identyifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Wild Plants in Wild and no so Wild places by Steve Brill. 

Opening our Wild Hearts the the Healing Herbs by Gail Faith Edwards.  Detailed information on over 100 herbs and in teh Wise Woman Tradition.

The Village Herbalist by Nancy and Michael Phillips.  A beautiful book on sharing plant medicines with family and community.

Also the Newcomb's Wildflower Guide is an excellent guide to indentifying wild plants.

Hope that helps....