Herbs of the Northern Shaman: A Guide to Mind-Altering Plants of the Northern Hemisphere (Paperback)

~ (Author) "The asafetida is a very tall herb from the parsley family that comes from Afghanistan and Persia, where it grows in the mountains..." (more)
Key Phrases: shamanic herbs, shamanic purposes, shamanic use, North America, Tim Brett, Native American (more...)

Product Details

• Paperback: 116 pages
• Publisher: Loompanics Unlimited (April 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559502118
• ISBN-13: 978-1559502115
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,457,164 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "user friendly" and highly recommended reference., March 22, 2002

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

In Herbs Of The Northern Shaman, Steve Andres draws upon a lifelong student of plant culture to produce a comprehensive and unique guide to the mind-altering plants which grow in the Northern Hemisphere. From standard relatively well known hallucinogens as Cannabis, Datura, and Peyote, to such garden commonplace and unsuspected plants as the Buttercup, Sassafras, and the Water Lily, Andres provides a detailed and authoritative description of effects and consciousness expanding qualities that have historically been found useful in aboriginal ceremonial and medicinal ministries. Herbs Of The Northern Shaman is very strongly recommended reading for students of botany and natural hallucinogens, as well as personal and academic psychoactive plants reference collections.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Herbs of the Northern Shaman by Steve Andrews, August 7, 2001

By	chris stone (UK) - See all my reviews

This book is a mine of useful information for Cosmonauts of Inner Space, as well as for those merely interested in the more arcane aspects of gardening and naturalism. The plants are listed alphabetically by their common names, with their Latin names and other names added for clarity. For instance, did you know that Asafetida, well known as a curry spice, is also known as Devils Dung? Or that Periwinkle is also known as Joy-On-The Ground? Clearly a reference to its properties as a pleasure-giving plant.

There are a number of surprises in the book, and it is endlessly enlightening to find out what plants have been used for their mind altering properties in the past. Just to give one example: the writer points out that Caucasian peasants used Rhododendron for Shamanic purposes, and cites a reliable source as evidence.

There are lively descriptions of each plant, its appearance and use, and warnings where appropriate. This is particularly important as some of the plants, though possibly useful as Shamanic herbs, are also highly dangerous. The style is light and approachable, easy to read and entertaining, making the book far more than just a reference work. It is also a pleasure to read.

As well as the narcotic, stimulating or psychedelic properties of the plants, their medicinal uses are also listed, making the book an invaluable addition to the home-herbalists library.

One finds oneself flicking through to read descriptions of plants one knows well, such as Cannabis and Peyote, just to find out what the writer has to say, which is always interesting and educative. The writer is clearly an expert in several fields, being not only an informed naturalist, an inspired horticulturalist and experimenter with odd additions to his house-plant collection, but a mystic traveller too. One feels a certain confidence in his sure-footed guidance around this obscure but fascinating area of knowledge.

So whether you merely wish to browse on the subject of alchemical gardening, or prefer to experiment with free and freely available mind-altering substances, this book is a must for you. Highly recommended.

CJ Stone.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Shamen in Ely, August 11, 2001

By	Peter Finch (Cardiff United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

If anyone can locate mind altering northern hemisphere plants then it's the bard of Ely (Cardiff) Steve Andrews. This easy to read, well illustrated and informative directory is about as comprehensive as you can get - how do you want your mind altered? How much do you want to pay? What risks do you run? is it illegal? Where do the plants grow? Can you nurture them yourself out the back? Steve does, shows how, explains and entertains. A must.