The Herbal Medicine-Maker's Handbook: A Home Manual (Paperback)

by James Green (Author), Ajana (Illustrator)
Key Phrases: black cohosh, uva ursi, mother essence, John's Wort, Saw Palmetto, Oregon Grape (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
THE HERBAL MEDICINE-MAKER'¬?S HANDBOOK is an entertaining compilation of natural home remedies written by one of the great herbalists, James Green, author of the best-selling THE MALE HERBAL. Writing in a delightfully personal and down-home style, Green emphasizes the point that herbal medicine-making is fundamental to every culture on the planet and is accessible to everyone. So, first head into the garden and learn to harvest your own herbs, and then head into your kitchen and whip up a batch of raspberry cough syrup, or perhaps a soothing elixir to erase the daily stresses of modern life.

About the Author
JAMES GREEN is the founder of Simplers Botanical Company and is a professional founding member of the American Herbalists Guild and United Plant Savers. He conducts workshops on male health and herbal medicine making throughout the United States and Canada. He lives in Ocean Beach, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Crossing Press; illustrated edition edition (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0895949903
• ISBN-13: 978-0895949905
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,933 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

114 of 114 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Far more in-depth than your usual herbal recipe book, March 12, 2001

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

The Herbal Medicine-Makers Handbook blends the herbalist author's natural home remedies with his perspectives on the art of herbal medicine's applications, with recipes for folk extractions including plenty of recommendations for usage. The result is far more in-depth than your usual herbal recipe book, packed with insights on how to extract herbs, make tinctures, and apply them properly.

73 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Herbal Medicine Maker's Handbook: A Home Manual, January 29, 2005

By	Linda Swanson-Davies (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have lots of great herb books, but this one is the first that gives me detailed and practical information about how to MAKE preparations myself. Green's gentle sense of humor make it approachable, but he also is responsibly thorough. The book is fun to read and I've made my first tincture. I very highly recommend the book to someone who actually wants to USE herbs for healing.

157 of 167 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Medicine-making made simple........, June 22, 2005

By	Dianne Foster "Di" (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

Have you ever come in from the garden on one of those balmy days when the sun is "just right" neither too hot nor too cold, but warm enough to draw the aroma from your flowers, and thought to yourself, "I would love to preserve that smell for a rainy day." Well, you can by bottling tonics, elixirs, hydrosols, syrups and other concoctions that upon opening in the middle of winter, have the power to transport back to summer days, and perhaps even cure the nasty cold or flu affecting you, or even better, help prevent your becoming sick in the first place.

James Green is the most transparent of human beings, an admiral characteristic in someone who is a healer. Green lives what he writes about, and has for a number of years. He is witty, wise, and compassionate. His methods are clearly described and discussed. You too can make many of his products using standard kitchen equipment in your own home.What you make will have your own imprimatur as you will have control over the process and can modify the steps as need be.

Green makes medicine. Some herbalists disagree with the idea of focusing on herbal products as part of a medical model, preferring instead to practice only the holistic healing which concentrates on prevention by focusing on the context within which the individual lives. Sometimes, however, no matter what you do, you get sick. Green not only shows you how to create products to deal with these lapses, he suggests ways to address them. Recipes as well as clear instructions for making tinctures, syrups, and other concoctions are included. You will probably get well just because they generally smell so good.