Mountain Medicine: Herbal Wisdom of the Appalachians


Book Description

"Mountain Medicine: Herbal Wisdom of the Appalachians" is a captivating journey into the heart of one of America's most cherished natural landscapes, where the ancient art of herbalism intertwines with the rich tapestry of Appalachian culture. Through meticulous research, personal anecdotes, and expert insights, author Mr. Krause invites readers to explore the hidden wonders of the mountains, unlocking the secrets of centuries-old herbal traditions passed down through generations. The book begins with an immersive introduction to the Appalachian Mountains, painting a vivid picture of the region's geological diversity, ecological richness, and profound cultural significance. From the misty peaks to the lush valleys, readers are transported to a world where nature reigns supreme, and the healing power of plants is woven into the fabric of everyday life. Delving into the historical roots of Appalachian herbalism, Mr. Krause explores the profound influence of indigenous peoples, settlers, and folk healers on the region's herbal traditions. From the Cherokee to the Scots-Irish, each culture has left its mark on the landscape, shaping the way herbs are used, revered, and passed down through the ages. As readers journey deeper into the heart of the Appalachians, they discover a rich tapestry of herbal folklore, music, and traditions that celebrate the natural world in all its glory. From ballads sung in praise of ginseng to the time-honored rituals of wildcrafting, each page is infused with the spirit of the mountains and the wisdom of those who call it home. Moving beyond the realm of folklore, Mr. Krause provides readers with a comprehensive guide to the region's most notable herbs, from ginseng and goldenseal to black cohosh and bloodroot. Through detailed descriptions, photographs, and seasonal availability charts, readers learn how to identify, harvest, and harness the medicinal properties of these botanical treasures. But "Mountain Medicine" is more than just a guidebook, it's a celebration of the deep connection between humans and the natural world, a call to action to embrace sustainable foraging practices, and a testament to the resilience of Appalachian culture in the face of modernization. With chapters dedicated to herbal remedies for health and wellbeing, cultivating Appalachian herbs, and the modern practices of Appalachian herbalists, Mr. Krause offers readers a holistic understanding of herbalism that honors both tradition and innovation. Rich with personal reflections, practical advice, and timeless wisdom, "Mountain Medicine" is a must-read for anyone interested in the healing power of plants, the magic of the mountains, and the enduring spirit of the Appalachians.




Mountain Medicine


Book Description

"Mountain Medicine: Herbal Wisdom of the Appalachians" is a captivating journey into the heart of one of America's most cherished natural landscapes, where the ancient art of herbalism intertwines with the rich tapestry of Appalachian culture. Through meticulous research, personal anecdotes, and expert insights, author Mr. Krause invites readers to explore the hidden wonders of the mountains, unlocking the secrets of centuries-old herbal traditions passed down through generations. The book begins with an immersive introduction to the Appalachian Mountains, painting a vivid picture of the region's geological diversity, ecological richness, and profound cultural significance. From the misty peaks to the lush valleys, readers are transported to a world where nature reigns supreme, and the healing power of plants is woven into the fabric of everyday life. Delving into the historical roots of Appalachian herbalism, Mr. Krause explores the profound influence of indigenous peoples, settlers, and folk healers on the region's herbal traditions. From the Cherokee to the Scots-Irish, each culture has left its mark on the landscape, shaping the way herbs are used, revered, and passed down through the ages. As readers journey deeper into the heart of the Appalachians, they discover a rich tapestry of herbal folklore, music, and traditions that celebrate the natural world in all its glory. From ballads sung in praise of ginseng to the time-honored rituals of wildcrafting, each page is infused with the spirit of the mountains and the wisdom of those who call it home. Moving beyond the realm of folklore, Mr. Krause provides readers with a comprehensive guide to the region's most notable herbs, from ginseng and goldenseal to black cohosh and bloodroot. Through detailed descriptions, photographs, and seasonal availability charts, readers learn how to identify, harvest, and harness the medicinal properties of these botanical treasures. But "Mountain Medicine" is more than just a guidebook, it's a celebration of the deep connection between humans and the natural world, a call to action to embrace sustainable foraging practices, and a testament to the resilience of Appalachian culture in the face of modernization. With chapters dedicated to herbal remedies for health and wellbeing, cultivating Appalachian herbs, and the modern practices of Appalachian herbalists, Mr. Krause offers readers a holistic understanding of herbalism that honors both tradition and innovation. Rich with personal reflections, practical advice, and timeless wisdom, "Mountain Medicine" is a must-read for anyone interested in the healing power of plants, the magic of the mountains, and the enduring spirit of the Appalachians.




Mountain Medicine


Book Description




Blackberry Cove Herbal


Book Description

...a lyrical monthly almanac of Appalachian medicinal plants and the traditional lore associated with them.Library Journal




Mountain Magick


Book Description

The Appalachian Mountain range is more than 2,400 miles long, stretching from Quebec to Alabama. Now, the rich folklore of southern Appalachia, with all of its unique magicks, is revealed in Mountain Magick (previously titled In a Graveyard at Midnight) by Edain McCoy. As a descendent of the famous feuding McCoy family (of the Kentucky-based Hatfield-McCoy rivalry), she is the ideal person to share the folk wisdom of these people. The Appalachian folk used omens, portents, curses, cures, and protections. Mountain Magick focuses on some of these magickal techniques, including ones for family and home, romance and children, health and healing. In this book you will learn the traditional Appalachian way to: - Do remote healings - Cast spells for love and romance - Cure warts with beans and a potato - Break a curse - End a headache with a cool vinegar compress - Wash away dandruff with an after-shampoo rinse of hops and sage - Stir up a windstorm by whistling - Use an old shoe to increase your good fortune In today's magickal community, Anglo-Celtic religions seem to be the most popular. Even if you are following a British or Irish tradition, you should not overlook the rich folk magick as revealed in Mountain Magick. Many of the people (and their traditions) in this area come from the Scottish and English immigrants who settled there as long ago as the mid-1700s. That is why you will find information on how to integrate the Appalachian folkways with your magickal lifestyle. The folk wisdom of the Appalachian people described in Mountain Magick is sure to intrigue you with its power and usability. Get your copy today.




Folk Medicine in Southern Appalachia


Book Description

In the first comprehensive exploration of the history and practice of folk medicine in the Appalachian region, Anthony Cavender melds folklore, medical anthropology, and Appalachian history and draws extensively on oral histories and archival sources from the nineteenth century to the present. He provides a complete tour of ailments and folk treatments organized by body systems, as well as information on medicinal plants, patent medicines, and magico-religious beliefs and practices. He investigates folk healers and their methods, profiling three living practitioners: an herbalist, a faith healer, and a Native American healer. The book also includes an appendix of botanicals and a glossary of folk medical terms. Demonstrating the ongoing interplay between mainstream scientific medicine and folk medicine, Cavender challenges the conventional view of southern Appalachia as an exceptional region isolated from outside contact. His thorough and accessible study reveals how Appalachian folk medicine encompasses such diverse and important influences as European and Native American culture and America's changing medical and health-care environment. In doing so, he offers a compelling representation of the cultural history of the region as seen through its health practices.




Southern Folk Medicine


Book Description

For the first time ever, an active practitioner describes the history, folklore, and remedies of Southern and Appalachian Folk Medicine in this groundbreaking guide for curious herbalists. This book is the first to describe the history, folklore, assessment methods, and remedies of Southern and Appalachian Folk Medicine—the only system of folk medicine, other than Native American, that developed in the United States. One of the system's last active practitioners, Phyllis D. Light has studied and worked with herbs, foods, and other healing techniques for more than thirty years. In everyday language, she explains how Southern and Appalachian Folk Medicine was passed down orally through the generations by herbalists and healers who cared for people in their communities with the natural tools on hand. Drawing from Greek, Native American, African, and British sources, this uniquely American folk medicine combines what is useful and practical from many traditions to create an energetic system that is coherent and valuable today.




Energetic Herbalism


Book Description

*Nautilus Book Award Gold Medal Winner: Health, Healing & Wellness In this indispensable new resource both for the home apothecary and clinical practitioners, a celebrated herbalist brings alive the elemental relationships among traditional healing practices, ecological stewardship, and essential plant medicines. By honoring ancient wisdom and presenting it in an innovative way, Energetic Herbalism is a profound and practical guide to family and community care for those seeking to move beyond symptom relief and into a truly holistic framework of health. Throughout, author Kat Maier invites readers to explore their personal relationships with plants and their environs as they discover diverse models of healing. Inside Energetic Herbalism, you’ll find: The elements and patterns of Ayurvedic doshas for greater self-awareness as well as positive lifestyle choices A deep appreciation of the wisdom of indigenous peoples, which is the foundation of sacred plant traditions The relationship of well-being to the seasons through the brilliant lens of Chinese Five Element Theory, and how our emotional health is beautifully expressed through the Elements The roots and evolution of Vitalism, the traditional Western system of energetic medicine How to assess imbalances in the body using the elegant and intuitive vocabulary of the six tissue states, an emerging tool in Western herbalism The senses as the main tools for navigating through energetic herbalism Through the rich herbal tradition of storytelling, Maier seamlessly blends theory and practice with her experience-tested herbal remedies and healing protocols. Maier stresses the critical message of how to address the challenge of threatened medicinal plant populations, offering practical and inspiriting methods for ensuring their survival. Many herbals boast a materia medica of more than 100 herbs, but in keeping with an emphasis on sustainable practice, Maier instead focuses in depth on 25 essential medicinal herbs that can be grown in most temperate climates and soils, including: Dandelion Ashwagandha (Indian Ginseng) Goldenseal Burdock Calendula Echinacea Goldenrod Whether you are a seasoned clinical herbalist, an herbalist-in-training, or simply someone seeking to provide the best natural health care for your family, this book is a source of inspiration, insight, and answers you will return to again and again.







Signs, Cures, & Witchery


Book Description

The persecution of Old World German Protestants and Anabaptists in the seventeenth century--following debilitating wars, the Reformation, and the Inquisition-- brought about significant immigration to America. Many of the immigrants, and their progeny, settled in the Appalachian frontier. Here they established a particularly old set of religious beliefs and traditions based on a strong sense of folk spirituality. They practiced astrology, numerology, and other aspects of esoteric thinking and left a legacy that may still be found in Appalachian folklore today. Based in part on the author's extensive collection of oral histories from the remote highlands of West Virginia, Signs, Cures, and Witchery; German Appalachian Folklore describes these various occult practices, symbols, and beliefs; how they evolved within New World religious contexts; how they arrived on the Appalachian frontier; and the prospects of those beliefs continuing in the contemporary world. By concentrating on these inheritances, Gerald C. Milnes draws a larger picture of the German influence on Appalachia. Much has been written about the Anglo-Celtic, Scots-Irish, and English folkways of the Appalachian people, but few studies have addressed their German cultural attributes and sensibilities. Signs, Cures, and Witchery sheds startling light on folk influences from Germany, making it a volume of tremendous value to Appalachian scholars, folklorists, and readers with an interest in Appalachian folklife and German American studies.