The Art of Herbal Healing: A Guide to Health and Wholeness - Softcover

Susan B Clearwater

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0692105751 ISBN 13: 9780692105757

Publisher: Green Turtle Publishing, 2018

Synopsis

The Art of Herbal Healing is a comprehensive reference containing a wealth of information, step-by-step instructions, and colored illustrations enabling safe and responsible use of medicinal herbs to heal and promote vibrant health.

Susan Clearwater presents a dynamic “hands-on” exploration into the amazing world of herbalism, empowering readers to interact with medicinal plants at whatever level you choose — from gardening, harvesting, and creating herbal teas and other preparations to learning which herbs are helpful for specific conditions.

Highlighting the holistic perspective and wisdom in healing the whole person, medicinal herbs are examined through a broad-spectrum lens, beginning with their uses and mythology in ancient cultures to modern scientific research with identification of their chemical components. A comprehensive study of 50 herbs in the Materia Medica includes their medicinal uses, cultivation, preparation of remedies for internal and external healing, dosages, and safety precautions.

About this title

About the Author

Susan Clearwater is a holistic nurse and clinical herbalist in private practice since 1993. She graduated from Indiana University School of Nursing with high distinction, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 1988, and then worked at Bloomington Hospital as a Medical/Surgical charge nurse for four years. Susan Clearwater began her holistic nursing practice in 1993, and later became a certified Holistic Nurse Practitioner through the American Holistic Nursing Association. She currently enjoys her independent nursing practice at her botanical sanctuary in Nashville, Indiana where she sees people of all ages for a wide variety of health issues. Susan has been an enthusiastic gardener and herbalist for over 40 years. In addition to her nursing practice, she owns and manages Green Turtle Botanical Sanctuary, where she develops and maintains meadow and woodland gardens of organic medicinal herbs.

Review

   “Susan Clearwater masterfully weaves her experiences as herbalist and healer with her background as a holistic nurse to create one of the most comprehensive and insightful books available on herbal healing.  Everything is covered here, from the history of herbal medicine to extensive individual plant profiles to gardening, plant conservation and sustainable harvesting, to Medicinal Preparation and safety issues.  The Art of Herbal Healing is truly a wonderful new guide to the ancient art of herbal healing.”  Rosemary Gladstar, herbalist and author

   “Since publication of the first edition of Nicholas Culpeper's English Physician in 1652, each generation in the modern era has seen publication of an accessible, comprehensive herbal that stands as a testament to herbalism for that time period for future generations. Susan Clearwater's The Art of Herbal Healing: A Guide to Health and Wholeness is one of those herbal touchstones that defines a generation. The book delivers a deep perspective on the fundamentals of herbal medicine, covering the roots of herbal healing traditions, along with clear, concise foundations for understanding where herbs come from. Detailed information infused with experience guides the reader through the broad-ranging practical guidance on herb preservation and preparations, along with details on herbal combinations. An essential explanation and pathway to understanding chemical constituents of herbs and their relevance to herbal healing is a welcome primer to what can be an intimidating subject. An excellent narrative on defining commonly used terms on the qualities of herbs provides more detail to help decipher how herbs work and heal. Next, the heart of the book, a materia medica of fifty common herbs, which includes the full range of topics outlined above for each of the herbs.

   Susan embraces tradition with heart and delivers science with compassion. A single word comes to mind as I peruse and mingle my thoughts with the information and ideas within these pages, and that word is comfort. The book invites you to become confident with understanding and experiencing herbs to integrate your own health into nature herself. It is a practical guide for herbalism today. It doesn't shy away from philosophical and spiritual underpinnings that might make some scientists squirm in their lab coats, yet at the same time, Susan blends traditional wisdom with scientific understanding in a comprehensive and practical style. It provides a thorough deep-dive into each herb, leading one to explore further. An important feature of the book is that it is fully referenced throughout. This is a book I wish I had at the beginning of my herbal interests over four decades ago.” Steven Foster, Best-selling herbal author, international herbal photographer and medicinal plant consultant

"It is a vast herbal text that can be used by herb schools and all plant people and their families. This book gives all a path to further our direct relationship with plants, important since there would be no humans or animals without them. Even with so much information available here, it is presented in an easy to understand and interesting format with great illustrations."

  "I consider this book an herbal bible that will stand the test of time.”

Paul Strauss, Equinox Botanicals, sanctuary steward, author of The Big Herbs

Edition details

• Publisher: Green Turtle Publishing
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 0692105751
• ISBN 13: 9780692105757
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 706