Customer Reviews

Infusions of Healing: A Treasury of Mexican-American Herbal Remedies

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Joie Davidow's telling of Aztec history is mesmerizing. When she draws her conclusion that had the Aztecs survived, their herbal medicines would rival those of the Chinese, I was totally convinced. Finding this book while looking for books on herbal tea was a stroke of luck. And, while the Mexicans may have as many herbs in their medicine chests as the Chinese, this book concentrates on about 200 or so of the most commonly found and used. I have always felt that we should make use of the herbs that grow around us instead of trying to grow those from another region. So I was excited to find a book about southwestern herbs. What I didn't expect was how many plants were included that were NOT from the Mexican area or even the southwest. It shows that her research is up to date on what herbs are being used by the Mexicans for medicinal purposes today. Particularly useful is the extensive lists of names given for each plant. Common names vary so much from region to region that it can be difficult to locate the correct herb for the healing tea recipe. Not only are we given several Mexican names for the plants but also the Nahuatl or Aztec name. Almost every imaginable ailment is listed and which single or combined herbs should be used. Easy to use and handy to have this book is also fascinating just to read.

For many years popular North American herbals were Eurocentric. It is enriching, valuable and timely that "Infusions of Healing: A Treasury of Mexican American Herbal Medicine" has been introduced to the public. As an herbalist I welcome the opportunity to broaden my understanding of the traditional uses, botanical names and history of herbs by Mexican Americans, Mexicans and indigenous Americans, among others. Davidow's book is comprehensive, thoughtful and engaging. The style of the illustrations make them the perfect companions to the text. I put "Infusion of Healing" at the top of the list of essential modern herbals for it's outstanding contribution to cross-cultural knowledge of herbal practices.

I bought this book unseen and I am so happy to have done so. This book is a virtual treasure trove of practical herbalism and folk healing. There are many herbs listed with traditional uses, great tables of correspondance and my favorite part is a small section on some of the folk saints found in curanderismo. I am very glad to own this book and will treasure it for many years.

As I am studying to become an herbalist, this is a very educational book. I like the idea that the author gives you the name of the herb in spanish, english, nahuatl, and mayan. I definately recommend this book to people with an open mind and who love to heal naturally.

I have studied under a curandero, and this just adds more to my education. There are plenty of books out there about herbalism from around the world, and it is about time that CURANDERISMO gets recognition...thank you Joie!

This is a great addition to any herbal library. It lists so many plants that you just don't see in other herbal books. The 200 herbs here are listed in alphabetical order by their Spanish name, but English names are listed below (and in the Index). Other names are included also - Nahuati, Mayan, Aztec, etc. Many of the herbs have short histories included which are quite interesting. And then there is a lot of practical advice. For example, if you plan on planting Stinging Nettle, you might want to also plant Yellow Dock (lengua de vaca) which is useful for rubbing over any skin area that may have been "stung" by the nettles.

Each herb is given no more than 2 or 3 paragraphs. We are given an "Introduction"; the "Part Used"; the "Properties", and what the herb is "Used to Treat". Also, there are warnings for using the herbs under certain conditions (pregnancy, liver or kidney disease, gallstones, etc.) There are recipes for mouthwashes, skin creams, insect bites, body soaks, and much, much more.

Wonderful drawings scattered throughout. It's worth a read for the little bits of herbal history if for nothing else. I love this book.