The Earthwise Herbal, Volume I: A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants

This book is dense with information on herbalism. It covers the energetics of traditional medicine from various traditions such as the greek, ayurvedic, chinese, alchemical, and physiomedical medicines. It speaks about the integration of pharmacology taste and energetics. This book is college level. So if you're a beginner, this may not be the best book to start with. But if you're serious, and you want to work through its pages, by the time you put it all together, you will have no doubt become more proficient than the majority of those who speak about herbalism. The book contains many references, a large index of herbs, a large index of conditions as well. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in herbalism.

Believe I found this as a used copy,that was in great condition. This helped complete my set of these books. This & vol 2 have the plant information.

Purchased the whole series of these books. WONDERFUL information for more advanced herbalists!

The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism (by the same author) is the key to Western Herbalism, This book is the materia medica that describes most of the Old World plants' properties within that system, along with anecdotes on successful usage and the types of people they work best on. A crucial reference for finding the right plant, I also look forward to studying the volume on New World plants after this one. The Earthwise Herbal gives a summary of how the system works, enough to use what's in it, but I highly recommend getting the earlier book as well for a full understanding. After that, reading any other herbalism book will be much easier, as you'll quickly recognize the energetics of a plant and how to use it from its list of properties.

love this one and volume 2 as well. we suggest it

From reading this book ( which now is my reference from now on) it is obvious hard work on research from past books, even years of 1700 has put forward by the knowledgable author . I was skeptical on few things like calendula working on infection, tried some of its cream on my son's bike wound, it worked better than topical antibiotics. As far as few eccentric reports on Betonica ( I won't spoil it for you but it had information on " treating people with unwanted Alien abduction!") , that actually shows the fearless nature of author which I liked. He just reported it as is without fear from scientific community. Very often authors throw away good anectodal reports that actually were useful due to this fear but I didn't see that here. There could be patients with PTSD for example that could benefit from this data. Thank you Master Wood you have done a life time work! DT

There is a great amount of information packed in this book. The problem is finding it. The index in this book is lacking. I have The Book of Herbal Wisdom by Wood: The Book of Herbal Wisdom: Using Plants as Medicines and the index is much better. If you dont have any books by Wood I recommend Herbal Wisdom over this book, especially if you are learning about herbs. Another book I like a lot, has a lot of recipes, and has a good index is: The Way of Herbs: Fully Updated with the Latest Developments in Herbal Science

Complete with historical references and a great reference section. This book details much of the written literature from ancient Greek to modern times. Herbal properties and usage fall in line with other herbals. The author promotes a philosophy of holism and plant properties that may not be scientific; however, has the flavor of the ancient midwife/herbalist/healer that was the way of determining what herb to use for what ailment. Great book to use for historical reference, cross checking herbal remedies, and perspective for those of us on the herbal healer path.

A very interesting book. Interesting approach.

De un lado parece que lo utilizaron y se quedó pegada la suciedad. En la otra esquina, se golpeó. No venía envuelto. El libro está completo y por lo demás parece estar bien. Pero el hecho de recibir un artículo que no es nuevo y pagar por uno nuevo, no me gusta para nada.

This is a wonderful book to learn about herbalism. Matthew Wood writes with great passion and manages to fire the readers' enthusiasm with his own. As a budding herbalist, I only just read the first chapter and I fell in love with this book.

A depth and breadth of herbal knowledge for practical application. Mathew Wood's draws on his own experience and the knowledge of many practicing herbalists (past and present) to write a coherent description of traditional old world herbs.

Matthew is a brilliant natural philosopher in his application of this craft. He really gets it if you get me. You cant find a better source for herbal wisdom. Tried and tested, handed down over millenia. I found Matthews material the most useful and accuarate whilst training to be a herbalist. Remember people we need a "herbalist in every home" so sow some seeds and buy people Matts books. Spread the seeds; change the world.