Book Description

Learn how traditional herbal practitioners are responding to the sudden, massive popularity of herbal medicine! Herbal Voices: American Herbalism Through the Words of American Herbalists examines how herbal practitioners who started in the 1960s and 1970s are reacting to the mainstream popularity of herbal medicine today. This unique book features interviews with 20 of America’s most prominent herbalists—focusing on their careers, their beliefs, and their perspectives on the contemporary herbal product boom in recent years. Also included is important information on herbal organizations, publications, schools, and companies where seeds and rootstock of endangered medicinal plants can be obtained, as well as a list of the United Plant Savers’ “At Risk” and “To Watch” medicinal plants. Herbal Voices synthesizes the words of a representative group of herbalists into a compelling picture of modern American herbalism as they offer their opinions on the roles of science, folklore, and spirituality in herbal medicine. This timely resource addresses controversial issues that arise within the herbal community, such as the endangered plant crisis, professionalism and licensure, and shifting the American consciousness toward a more Earth-centered way of life and health. In Herbal Voices, you’ll hear from many well-known herbal practitioners, including: Rosemary Gladstar—founder of The California School of Herbal Studies and United Plant Savers, co-founder of Sage Mountain Herbs, and author of Herbal Healing for Women and of the Sage Healing Way series James Green—former Director of The California School of Herbal Studies, a member of the advisory committee for United Plant Savers, and author of both The Herbal Medicine-Makers Handbook and The Male Herbal David Hoffmann—Fellow of Britain’s National Institute of Medical Herbalists, former President of the American Herbalists Guild, and author of The New Holistic Herbal, An Elder’s Herbal, and Therapeutic Herbalism Richo Cech—herbalist, owner of Horizon Herbs, executive board member of United Plant Savers, and author of Growing Your Garden Pharmacy Sharol Tilgner—licensed naturopathic physician, founder and current President of Wise Woman Herbals, Inc., editor of Herbal Transitions, associate editor of Medical Herbalism, and author of Herbal Medicines From the Heart of the Earth For the first time, these leading educators, clinicians, and business owners share the joys and pitfalls of practicing an age-old healing tradition in modern America. This rich resource of reflections fills a gap in the existing literature that will be useful for herbalists, herbal enthusiasts, historians, anthropologists, popular culturists, and holistic/alternative medical practitioners.