Customer Reviews

Indian Herbalogy of North America: The Definitive Guide to Native Medicinal Plants and Their Uses

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is indexed by plants and by diseases. It gives descriptions of habitat so you can go and find them in the wild. It is the only book i have read to date that actually tells how to make the ointments or tea and a history of how it has been used in many cultures. It gives side effects and wonderful detailed plant sketches. Easy to read

Growing up in the way-out country of Missouri, I spent a lot of time outside in the woods, getting to know the different plants and animals that live there. This eventually gave rise to an interest in natural medicine, and in harvesting and preparing my own herbs from the property I lived on. All the texts I could find, though, were based in the plants and knowledge indigenous to either Europe or Asia. I was delighted to come on a copy of Alma Hutchens' _Indian Herbalogy of North America_ a couple years back, thinking it would be a catalog of the plants I found growing in my own back yard, and throughout the back roads of America that I love to explore. However, the book has quite a bit of information about the herbal medicine of other cultures (Russia, Western Europe, and China, in particular), so much that it crowds the Indian lore out--which, of course, was what I really wanted. It's not a bad book, in general terms, and would make a pretty solid kernel for a new collection of herbal medicine books, but I don't recommend this as a resource for people interested specifically in Native American treatment of disease or use of herbs for health maintenance.

No where else can I find as much info on the herbs she features as in this book. Very informative and perfect for anyone who is interested in herbal healing and in starting their own herbal business. You can get lots of ideas from this book.

Indian Herbalogy of North America by Alma R. Hutchens is a helpful reference book for those desiring a greater understanding of cross-cultural applications of herbs. The title is somewhat misleading because though there is an emphasis on Native American herbalism there is also a great deal of information regarding Russian herbology and folklore.

This herbal book was good,yet could have been better.Firstly,the title is misleading.The book is more about the current medicinal methods and uses rather than what the traditional uses and beliefs were.There is very little information about Native Americans and how they used their herbs.There is more attention to the 'Russian experience' and Chinese studies ,in the area of herbalogy.But,little concern for what the Indian shaman did with their plants and herbs.Secondly,the sketches are excellent.Yet,only half are Native American.The rest are russian herbs and plants.This is not a bad book,yet it is a misnomer to label it 'Indian Herbalogy'.Lastly,it is rather weak to pass it off as an all-natural native pagan book.The authoress was quite influenced by Nicholas Culpepper,the famed father of classical herbalogy.Maybe Alma Hutchens is Old School,like herbalist Clarence Meyer.Or she feared her book would not have mass readership,if she had taken a heathen earthy tone.In Culpepper's tome,he points out the biblical verse of God's acceptance of Mankind using the plants and herbs of the Good Earth.At any rate,i would recommend reading this fine herbal book as an addendum to one's herbal studies.This book has many interesting facts and histories,yet not so connected to Native Indian shamanic herbal wisdom.

This is an expanded version of the Native American Herb Handbook. anyone interested in holistic healing should have this in their library.

This author did due diligence in research and drove thousands of miles to codify how three widely diverse societies developed a working medical and health improvement strategy based on sustainable plant life. This is the scientific parallel to Ayla in Jean Auel's splendid books on early tribal life. A unique achievement. Add it to your Foxfire series reading collection.

Because this not only identifies the native north american indian use, but also the Russian influence of the same herbs and application, it is both accurate and invaluable as a reference tool. Out of all my herbology books, I refer to this one most often for practical application, and after 15 years it still serves better than current reference material.

I purchased this book over three decades ago, while moving it was lost, it's taken me a decade to find another copy - totally invaluable tool for those who are interested in their own natural health.

Ms. Hutchens has put together an amazing collection of herbal uses from the First Nations. This is one book that should be on the bookshelf of every budding herbalist.