Top Books For The Budding Herbalist

The world of herbal healing is vast and wonderful but can also be very overwhelming when you first start exploring. There are thousands of plants, hundreds of unfamiliar terms, and a sea of conflicting information out there. In America, no one governing body administers official herbalist certifications or licenses; many great training programs exist but they are often out of reach for those just starting out.

When you first begin to explore the world of herbal healing for yourself and your family, self-education is the best first step. The most important thing you can do as a budding herbalist is to get outside, spend time with the plants you are interested in working with, watch how they change through the seasons, and observe how they interact with their environments. No book or online learning can replace being present with the plants themselves. There are, however, many books that can great allies to your in-person exploration.

Field Guide

A Field guide such as Peterson Field Guide to Medicinal Plants & Herbs of Eastern & Central N. America: Third Edition (Peterson Field Guides). Any field guide you get needs to be specific to your region and have an extensive section on local poisonous flora. The first plants you should get to know as a budding herbalist are the local toxic plants; this will help protect you from making a potentially deadly mistake.

Matthew Wood

I cannot say enough about Matthew Wood’s books. I use these books more than any others. The Earthwise Herbal, Volume I: A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants, and The Earthwise Herbal, Volume II: A Complete Guide to New World Medicinal Plants, are hands down my favorite reference books. The books share excellent and detailed historical uses for herbs and then break down indications for their use, how they work on the different systems within the body, counterindications, and dosage information. If you want to use herbs for your own healing or help others- these books can shed so much light. You can also use the index to find herbs by condition or plant name.

Rosemary Gladstar

Rosemary Gladstar is an institution in herbal circles, her wisdom has guided countless of us on our journeys, and the herbal healing community would not be the same without her. Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide: 33 Healing Herbs to Know, Grow, and Use is a wonderfully accessible introductory book dripping with her profound knowledge but applicable to any novice.

Magickal Herbs

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs (Llewellyn's Sourcebook Series) (Cunningham's Encyclopedia Series, 1) is one of my favorite references to use when considering the metaphysical implications of the herbs I may be using. While not every herbalist practices herbal magic, it is helpful to be aware of the magical historical uses, the energies associated with the plants, and what esoteric healing they may bring to physical healing.

These books are just the tip of an enormous and incredible iceberg of herbal learning and healing. Do not be discouraged or overwhelmed; the best source of knowledge is you and your senses. Does the smell of roses soothe your anxiety? They are probably good medicine for you. Or conversely, does the smell make you anxious and invoke painful memories? There are probably other plants that would serve you better. Trust yourself, be safe, and most importantly- get out there and get wild.