Earth and Spirit: Medicinal Plants and Healing Lore from Puerto Rico - Softcover

Benedetti, Maria; Janto, Hrana; Benedetti, María

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0963344013 ISBN 13: 9780963344014

Publisher: Verde Luz, 1998

Synopsis

An inspiring work of oral history, Earth and Spirit explores and celebrates Puerto Rico's tradition of botanical medicine as it was practiced up to the 1980s. This lively and deeply personal glimpse of Caribbean healing presents the voices of dozens of people who knew, loved and worked with medicinal plants and island earth lore. Ten interviews feature traditional curanderos, a granny midwife, spiritual healers, natural beauticians and others. Remedies are presented in an extensive recipe section organized by health condition, ranging from Alcohol Addiction to Warts. The author's foreword and epilog place the work in cultural and ecological contexts, and all plants are cross referenced with their English, Puerto Rican and scientific names. Rich in practical wisdom, anecdotes and humor, Earth and Spirit inspires love and respect for the living world of plants and for the resourceful people of Puerto Rico who have helped keep this tradition alive. A timeless and beautiful experience, a thought-provoking, fun and useful reference. For your kitchen. For your bedroom! Salud!

About this title

From the Publisher:

Mara Benedetti is an empirical herbalist and professional journalist, motivated by her deep love and respect for the people presented within this book and by a sense of urgency about the need to conserve Puerto Rico's herbal wisdom and resources.

Review:

Earth and Spirit provides a fascinating glimpse into little-known practices, plants and remedies, offering a refreshing perspective quite outside of the North American health food and herb industry mainstream. Books of this type not only add to our knowledge but also help to reinvigorate our enthusiasm for traditional healing. So far, this is my book of the year, and I highly recommend its purchase. -- Herbs!, issue 6

About this edition

• Publisher: Verde Luz
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0963344013
• ISBN 13: 9780963344014
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 288