Hygieia: A Woman's Herbal [Paperback]

Jeannine Parvati Baker (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 27, 2010

HYGIEIA: A WOMAN'S HERBAL is the first book of its kind to interweave the ancient practice of herbalism with the current women's consciousness and wholistic health. This herbal is an encyclopedic work covering many aspects of of women's health. Personal stories, dreams and poems enliven the text, which has many drawings and photos of women and their plant allies. HYGIEIA is a useful and evocative reference book for every woman concerned about her soul (psyche) as well as her feminine health.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“All I can say, is, if you are a woman, and you love the fact, then this is the book for you. And if you are a man, and you love woman, and yourself, and you quest for understanding and to be of service, it is for you also…. Besides their profound value, the contents are also beautiful and radiant. I wish someone who teaches in schools would buy a few million copies too.”
—The New Humanity Journal, London

About the Author

Jeannine Parvati Baker was an international teacher of midwifery and presented this work at conferences around the world. She has presented at every Intl. Congress on Pre and Perinatal Psychology and Health in the USA. She has keynoted at many Women, Midwifery, Education and Herbal / Health Conferences, including her home state -- Utah Midwives Association -- and in Australia and Europe. Jeannine has been speaking on behalf of the Possible Family since 1970 in countless public forums, including the Utah State Congress and Rainbow Gatherings, to cite some extremes. In 1993, JP was nominated for Woman of the Year Award for Contributions to Medicine by WHO'S WHO of Cambridge, England, in whose books, her contributions to scientific as well as lay publications, are listed. She is the author of PRENATAL YOGA & NATURAL BIRTH, with her partner FREDERICK BAKER of CONSCIOUS CONCEPTION

Product Details

• Paperback: 249 pages
• Publisher: Freestone Publishing Company; New edition edition (May 27, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0913512540
• ISBN-13: 978-0913512548
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 0.8 x 8.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #238,468 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars synopsis July 17, 2001

By l.c.medvin

Format:Paperback

The author says, "This book grew out of our need to be healthy and re-own the powers of naturally healing ourselves". Contains three indices, a glossary of mythological, feminist and gynecological terms, and blank pages in the back for notetaking. There are also herbal lists for emenogogues, infertility, temporary and permanant sterility, anaphrodesiacs, aphrodesiacs, reproductive organs and your cycle, pregnancy, childbirth and lactation. here's a short synopsis.... chapter #1 - "on the rag" and other menstrual rituals (contains pattern for making your own menstral pads) #2 - fertility #3 - herbal birth control #4 - anaphrodesiacs #5 - aphrodesiacs #6 - herbs for the mind #7 - self health - what's the matter, coming off the pill #8 - balancers and toners (herbs for the cycle and reproductive organs) #9 - pregnancy, childbirth, lactation (plus placenta recipes, celestial influences) #10 - menopause: the change

This is a very comprehensive, useful, and entertaining book. I like to just open it up at random and read a chapter. Or, when I want specific advise, I can just look in the index and turn to whatever pages fit. I find I get so engrossed, though, that I just can't stop! I especially like the letters from women and the dream interpretations"

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars magical spiritual journey into the many layers of womanhood July 14, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

When I got pregnant a couple of years ago, from the moment of conception until miscarriage, I was beset with horrendous morning sickness. I couldn't get out of bed those first few days except on my hands and knees. I was often too dizzy to even stand up. I didn't know if I would make it to the bathroom before vomiting. As a result, I began keeping a plastic bucket in my bedroom. I also decided it was time to figure out how to squash my queasiness so I could get on with the important task of getting to work on time everyday.

I was living with my sister then, and she had a copy of Jeannine Parvati's Hygieia on her shelves. On day three, I made a beeline for it. Inside this beautiful off-size book were hand lettered pages, original artwork, and personal testimonies of herbal efficacy in promoting women's health at every stage of the life cycle. What a relief it was to find this information so close as hand, especially after my early dissatisfaction with my M.D.'s suggestions.

Parvati has particular interests in menstruation, contraception, fertility, sterility, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause; she is the mother of five children at my last count. Parvati urges women to be in touch with their own inner cycles and to trust our relationship with the moon for guidance. Parvati includes myths, stories, and recipes. Reading this book was like remembering knowledge I used to have but couldn't quite dredge into consciousness. Of course, ginger for nausea. Of course, mint. As a result I began to keep a thermos full of herbal tea next to the bed so I cold drink it first thing in the morning.

Parvati takes the reader well beyond these common herbs into the realm of herbal abortions. But, as Parvati wisely advises, "Herbal abortions are not necessarily any easier than a technological one-in fact sometimes they are more difficult. . . . But let us not use these herbs like pills; use herbs always as tools to understanding ourselves. Meditating on the mythology of the herbal emmenagogue while you use the plant will bring you closer to the spirit of healing (p.19)." It is precisely this spirit of healing that makes Parvati's book so indispensable to me.

While this book might be a bit difficult for beginners to grasp, the effort is well worth it. Hygieia is one of the most important guides to women's health that I own.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book covering many topics January 11, 2002

By Babaylan

Format:Paperback

I was lucky to find this book when I was a college student, just beginning to understand and appreciate the power of herbs. It is a book that has stuck with me as I've grown older and now one that I'm re-reading more thoroughly now that I'm expecting my first child. For any woman interested in getting touch with her own health, and for tapping into the aged wisdom of generations of women before us, read this book and adopt some herbal traditions. It's a shame this wisdom isn't an integral part of our lives.