Here Euell Gibbons shows the reader how to enjoy the culinary and medicinal virtues of herbs and wild plants. Drawn from the author’s wide knowledge of plants as well as from the lore of native Americans and early settlers, the information is supplemented by nutritionists at Pennsylvania State University who worked with Gibbons on analysis of the entries.
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Even those who have no intention of combing the countryside for cleavers, slippery elm or velvet dock will welcome the return to print of this 1966 classic guide to American wild herbs for its wealth of knowledge. Many since the late Gibbons ( Stalking the Wild Asparagus ) have written about the medicinal and nutritive properties of indigenous flora, and nouvelle cuisine has domesticated the notion of edible flowers, but the author's good-humored approach to preparing pine tree needles, boiled nettles and similar treats establishes his as a uniquely charming voice in the self-important world of health foods ("I would like to think that it was sheer genius that caused me to get all the proportions right in my first attempt to make this fragrant ambrosia rose petal jam, but I know it was just blind luck"). Gibbons is the quintessential American naturalist, rhapsodic about nature but eminently practical as well--and never above looking for get-rich-quick schemes, as demonstrated by his experiments to produce a chocolate substitute from basswood. Illustrated.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Scientific American
A handful of crushed pennyroyal rubbed on exposed skin will keep mosquitoes away. A half-cup of violet-leaf greens has as much Vitamin C as four oranges. Lemonade flavored with a jigger of borage juice is an especially cooling drink. The roots of Queen Anne's lace will do for a meal in an emergency. That insatiable stalker of the wildlings, Euell Gibbons, has been out hunting again.
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Customer Reviews
“ Nobody but a character like Euell Gibbons could write such a downhome book that passed on folk wisdom and botany in a delightful way. ”
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The original "Stalking the wild..." editions went out of print some years ago and that was a shame. Nobody but a character like Euell Gibbons could write such a downhome book that passed on folk wisdom and botany in a delightful way.
I actually prefer this book to "Asparagus" because it is a bit more useful. For example, if you live nearly anywhere in middle America, violet leaves pop up in your lawn and garden. They're readily available and easy to find. And he gives uses for cucumber-scented borage, which you can actually plant from seeds. This herb now is a top seller for its healthful oil-rich seeds that contain linoleic acid. If borage doesn't grow in your fields, you can put it in your herb garden. He gives great ideas for violets, borage, mint and other herbs either readily found or available to grow.
Careful however; some of the wild herbs look alike; most dangerously hemlock and parsley, angelica and other members of the carrot family look alike with their feathery fronds. Best to take a course in plant identification at the local community college if you are collecting these.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By C. Morris
Format:Paperback
A hundred years from now, I believe, the Gibbons books will still be regarded as first-rate texts. The science is, if not impeccable, supportive of Gibbons' readable and magnetic approach to edibles. He's a charmer, but not self-consciously so. His charm is in his love for the subject, and his expertise. Too bad Johnny Carson made a bit of a clown out of him, because he was anything but a clown. "Stalking the Wild Asparagus" is the centerpiece of his output; indispensable for anyone with any level of interest in the subject.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I own the original. And am thrilled to see it reprinted. Gibbons was the virtuoso of the herbal heyday, and his stories of nature, and his naturalist outlook, will enthrall you as much as the herbs you'll learn about. He is, and will allways remain, part of this foragers life, even though I never knew him personaly.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
My scores are based on the usefulness of this book for foraging medicinal plants.
Overall rating: 4 stars
Number of plants: 3 stars
Treatment lists: 4 stars
Treatment details: 4 stars
Picture types: simple line drawings
Plant identification: 2 stars
Who will find it useful: novices to expert foragers & herbalists, backpackers, hunters, preparedness-minded folk
Notes: Euell Gibbons is one part naturalist, one part poet, and one part comedian. No other wild plant author inspires me to run off into the woods like his writings! This book is filled with detailed nutritional and medicinal information for a wide variety of plants found all over North America. Its recipes for teas, tinctures, ointments, extractions, etc are clear and easy to follow. This book is a must-have for the bookcase of any forager, herbalist, or those aiming for self-sufficiency. The main focus of this book is more along the lines of keeping you healthy followed by treating minor problems such as colds, congestion, upset stomach, insomnia, and the such. It isn't much help major illnesses, cancers, or other life-threatening diseases. This book includes a glossary of the medical terms it uses.
The paperback version of this book is still fairly thick, but still small enough to be brought out to the wilds. Most of the plants he describes are available all across North America. However, he assumes you already know what the plant looks like and where to find it, so novice foragers may need to bring a reference guide such as A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs: Of Eastern and Central North America (Peterson Field Guide) along to help them.
Overall rating: 4 stars
Number of plants: 3 stars
Treatment lists: 4 stars
Treatment details: 4 stars
Picture types: simple line drawings
Plant identification: 2 stars
Who will find it useful: novices to expert foragers & herbalists, backpackers, hunters, preparedness-minded folk
Notes: Euell Gibbons is one part naturalist, one part poet, and one part comedian. No other wild plant author inspires me to run off into the woods like his writings! This book is filled with detailed nutritional and medicinal information for a wide variety of plants found all over North America. Its recipes for teas, tinctures, ointments, extractions, etc are clear and easy to follow. This book is a must-have for the bookcase of any forager, herbalist, or those aiming for self-sufficiency. The main focus of this book is more along the lines of keeping you healthy followed by treating minor problems such as colds, congestion, upset stomach, insomnia, and the such. It isn't much help major illnesses, cancers, or other life-threatening diseases. This book includes a glossary of the medical terms it uses.
The paperback version of this book is still fairly thick, but still small enough to be brought out to the wilds. Most of the plants he describes are available all across North America. However, he assumes you already know what the plant looks like and where to find it, so novice foragers may need to bring a reference guide such as A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs: Of Eastern and Central North America (Peterson Field Guide) along to help them.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you have read Euell Gibbon's "Stalking the wild asparagus", then you'll love this book like I do. Euell was the original forager, a true expert. A must have for any foraging enthusiast.
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This would have been much better with more illustrations. Only about half of the plants that he reviews are illustrated, leading the novice to wonder if the 'weeds' growing in her garden are actually the marvelous chickweed, or something else.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The late Euel Gibbons was an iconic figure whose three books, "Stalking The Wild Asparagus"; "Stalking The Healthful Herbs"; and "Stalking The Blue-eyed Scallop" have been brought back into print for a new generation of appreciative readers by Alan C. Hood & Company. All three of these foraging 'how to' manuals are especially noted as being thoroughly 'user friendly' and packed with a wealth of practical information. These compendiums of information are nicely illustrated with line drawings. All three of these informed and informative titles are still considered to be a seminal trilogy and strongly recommended for anyone seeking to harvest and utilize the natural resources that grow wild in fields, forests, swamps, along the roadsides and in vacant lots -- and free for the taking by those who know where to look -- and when. Although available separately, community library systems in particular would be well advised to acquire all three titles for their collections.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
There are a good number of plants discussed in this book and each plant is covered in detail. It even includes recipes though we haven't tried any - yet. It is amazing how many 'weeds' you can eat!
While the plants are shown with drawings, it would have been nice to have photographs.
We would recommend this book.
While the plants are shown with drawings, it would have been nice to have photographs.
We would recommend this book.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Dated information, but a classic
The information is dated, writing style a bit stuffy, but this is a classic. This book launched the "foraging" movement and inspired many of the books and imitators that... Read more
Published 2 days ago by PK Oregun
5.0 out of 5 stars
You are what you eat that you find in the wild
I never realized how many wonderful herbs were right outside my back door. Just taking a walk with my eyes 'opened' by this book I see natural and free herbs to keep me... Read more
Published 2 months ago by D. Sherman
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good intro to herbs a la Euell
It's a fine, entertaining book, and I learned things. I've been studying herbalism for a wee bit now, and most of the information is based on nutritional benefits or finding... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Bludevil412
5.0 out of 5 stars
Survival tips in your own backyard.
I just love this book, it reminds me of my childhood when my father took me on many journey's around our farm and forest. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Valerie Leuba
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another Success for Mr. Gibbons
Sometimes my only wish is that Mr. Gibbons had spent more of his time in the Pacific Northwest instead of the East Coast. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Jax B. Nimble
4.0 out of 5 stars
Useful herbal guide!
Euell Gibbons made a very useful guide by publishing this book on more than 40 herbs. It is not only enjoyable to read but contains information on natural remedies, beverages,... Read more
Published on December 6, 2009 by Randy J. Mercurio
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