Practical Folk Medicine of Hawaii [Paperback]

L. R. McBride (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0912180277 | ISBN-13: 978-0912180274 | Publication Date: June 1975 | Edition: Later printing

L. R. McBride combined his talents as a thorough researcher and botanical illustrator with a life-long interest in folk medicine to produce this book of extraordinary value for students of natural medicines and Hawaiiana. Remedies consist of fragments of the knowledge of the medical khuna and treatments that have come with immigrants from around the world. Instructions are given for finding, identifying and using plants and herbs, including the tools needed to do the job. The fully illustrated text features an alphabetical listing of common ills and the natural products of the islands used to combat them.

Product Details

• Paperback: 104 pages
• Publisher: Petroglyph Press; Later printing edition (June 1975)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0912180277
• ISBN-13: 978-0912180274
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.7 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,228,035 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Meant to be Used !, July 28, 2000

By 

Bill Taylor - See all my reviews

This review is from: Practical Folk Medicine of Hawaii (Paperback)

This is not a plant picture book - it's meant to be used. So much so that it comes with a chapter named "Words of Warning." The first part of the book covers tools and techniques for gathering, transporting and preparing Hawaiian plants, including using the modern version of the Hawaiian O`O (digging stick). Following that is a chart of what plants grow at what elevations (I've never seen one like it anywhere else). The next (and largest) section is an alphabetical listing of 54 major medicinal plants (one page each) with descriptions, comments and drawings. The only negative is that the plant drawings aren't in color - readers will probably want a supplemental plant guidebook to help with plant identifications. The final section is an alphabetical listing of ailments that the plants can be used to cure, AND complete instructions on how to prepare and use them.

I wouldn't hesitate to use this book at all for my personal health. I didn't know that awa would stop a headache cold (it does) until I read it here. The author has been interested in medicinal plants since childhood and obviously believes in them. At the same time he is realistic and doesn't hesitate to point out when modern medicine works better (like aspirin for fever reduction, for example). If you live in the islands, you need this book near your medicine cabinet! It's great.