Welcome to Healing Herbs, Healing Arts Bookstore 1

I have collected a few titles from my own library and suggestions from friends, emphasizing medicinal herbs, remedies and resources.

And now we have merged our Healing Arts Bookstore here to include, shamanism, crystal healing, massage, reflexology, pressure points, rebirthing-the healing modalities I am most familiar with, and can suggest with confidence.

To read more about healing herbs please go to our Tao of Healing Herbs section of our site.

Many Blessings!

LionHeart

October 2005

The Findhorn Garden

-A HIPPIE CLASSIC-

The Findhorn Garden
by the Findhorn Community.

The veil comes down between man, woman, beast, and the spirit world. A classic on working with devic and elemental energies. A must read for any conscious being on this Planet!
his is a book of conversations and pictures with each of the founders of the Findhorn garden and community. The most remarkable thing about Findhorn is that it is a flourishing garden with plants from every climate (even tropical), growing many times normal size, in sand in Scotland, of all places! Throughout the years horticulturists have tested the soil and declared the results incomprehensible, even impossible. Findhorn also does not use pesticide, but instead talks to the insects and makes agreements about what the insects eat and what they don't (after all, we wouldn't have anything without them and they should get their share of Earth's bounty!). The candid thoughts in the book, simply expressed, gave me the shivers, they felt so true. I can only read it in spurts because after only a page or 2, there is so much to digest and think about. The pictures are only in black & white, but I find myself constantly looking at them in awe of the Joy and Life coming through in the people and the plants. This would be a great book for environmental scientists to read, as we move into a unique time where serious decisions will have to be made about natural resources and how to use our waste. The Findhorn community presents an idea that things would be so much easier for us if we allowed the veil to come down that exists between man, beast, and the spirit world. According to them, the Universe is full of helpful entities who genuinely WANT life to continue and for us to create heaven on Earth.

The Findhorn Garden: Pioneering a New Vision of Humanity and Nature in Cooperation (Findhorn Community)
by Sir George Trevelyan (Foreword)
The Findhorn Garden first inspired people around the planet some forty years ago, when the founders of the spiritual community saw plants and flowers growing in soil that seemed unable to nurture anything. It was soon realized that the garden was blessed with devas and nature spirits that were guiding the members of the Findhorn Community toward their true identity and uncovering the divine reality within all things. The story of the garden is the celebration of this divine life in its myriad forms.
Founded in November 1962 more than 40 years ago, the Findhorn Community is situated in northern Scotland and is made up of several hundred people from around the world who believe that behind the material world there lies a spiritual reality that unites all people, all life and all matter. At its heart is the Findhorn Foundation, a major international center of adult education and personal and spiritual transformation, offering people many ways to visit, live and work there.

The Findhorn Book of Meditation
by Darren John Main
This book is both instructive and informative and takes a deceptively complex topic and logically lays out the way for someone to successfully meditate, by avoiding all the common pitfalls that he or she may encounter while meditating. I would have given this book a higher rating, but I felt that it only skimmed different forms of meditation (Jewish repetitive prayer, Buddhist chanting, "mind blanking" are three that come to mind) at best, rather than investigating them more deeply, and explaining why they work for different people. I also have mixed feelings about the author providing as much personal information as he does. On the one hand, by humanizing the material, it can help the reader relate to the subject matter, but on the other hand by being so autobiographical, it shifts the focus of the book, which detract from the subject matter. This is still a very good book, loaded with good information on how to establish a positive meditative practice, and as mentioned, very readable.

The Findhorn Book of Connecting With Nature
by John R. Stowe
The Findhorn Book of CONNECTING WITH NATURE explores an entertaining range of topics designed to connect the physical, emotional, & spiritual aspects of the reader with the complete spectrum of Nature that surrounds us all.
As the authors states, "You can reclaim your natural roots & access the peace & strength of knowing where you live. The advantages of doing so are wonderful & real. The world of Nature is life affirming; it offers a healing, vitalizing alternative to the activities & distractions of the modern world."
Whether we connect with our own garden, a favorite tree, a fly on the windowsill, or the phases of the moon, John R. Stowe expertly leads us to a deeper, and more joyful, understanding of Nature's presence throughout our immediate environment.
John uses his own observations & those of participants in his workshops to cultivate a basic theme: the benefits derived from taking time to "tune in", in order to "start cultivating a deeper relationship" with all aspects of "The Living Earth".
"All these explorations are active, ongoing, & continually evolving," the author continues. "Our goal is to learn how to move beyond the old, harmful belief in separation & to learn--each in his or her own way--how to promote a new depth of harmony & balance within ourselves & the rest of the living world."

Classic Herbal Guides

-A HIPPIE CLASSIC-

Back To Eden Revised Edition
by Jethro Kloss
Back to Eden is a classic. The author Jethro Kloss was a true master of herbal and natural medicine. Flip the book open to any page and your are sure to find some useful and interesting information. To paraphrase from the book, Jethro says that The Devil can bring about no disease which The Lord does not provide a cure for in nature. I believe this statement to be absolutely true and Jethro claims to have cured people from a variety of diseases, including cancer.
Back to Eden is filled with invaluable information. Jethro Kloss has created a masterpiece tomb of cleanses, herbs, and natural remedies.
If you have only one book on herbal medicine, this is the one to have! It has a slew of information on herbs & herbal formulas, diseases and illnesses, cures, health, food & drink, healthful life-choices, your body, all aspects of caring for the sick, and much more! - A goldmine of easy to understand information, much of which is unavailable anywhere else! Get the hardcover edition, as you will wear this fantastic book out, because it works!

The Nature Doctor: A Manual of Traditional and Complementary Medicine
by Alfred Vogel
Dr Vogel came from a Swiss family where the secrets of herbalism were known and practiced. 'The Nature Doctor' has become a recognized publication even amongst medical doctors and scientists. This book is a blend of Herbal, and Homeopathic Techniques.

-A HIPPIE CLASSIC-

The Secret Life of Plants
by Peter Tompkins, Christopher Bird
This book will show those willing to see that plants not only can communicate with us, but that they also are willing to work with humanity to return us to Eden, or more prosaically, that through methods less harmful to the environment and less expensive than commercial fertilizers, farmers can raise crops which surpass the abundance of those raised by conventional methods. There are a few cases, such as those in the chapter on radionic pesticides, which were not supported by sufficient evidence to prove their points, but in general this book demonstrates that plants are indeed more alive than we suspected, and are our willing helpmates in all aspects of life, if we would but listen. Recommended for all who work with plants, and for those who already believe in the living universe, and who want to see scientific confirmation of that fact.

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs
by Scott Cunningham
This is the first time I had heard of herbs like eryngo and life-everlasting- this reference is well done.
The herbs are organized alphabetically, and black and white drawings of the plant or flower are to the side of each entry, which typically includes the scientific (Latin) name, health codes (such as G for safe, and a guide is included in the book for all of the codes), any folk names, its attributed gender, planet, element, and deities, followed by brief (or sometimes long) descriptions of ritual and magical uses.
After the listings of herbs, there are lists of categories, under which are listed what herbs fit that area- such as masculine plants, herbs that correspond to certain ritual intentions, and elementary rulers. Also included are an index, a glossary, and a mail order list for those who do not have an herb store nearby.

Planetary Herbology

Dr. Michael Tierra

Planetary Herbology
by Dr. Michael Tierra
Tierra has compiled an impressive work that covers the philosophies of traditional Eastern herbal medicine along with describing the herbs and their uses. He compares these systems to Western herbal traditions, aiming at a synthesis to create a "planetary" herbalism. Tierra's basic assumptions, that because the Eastern systems have existed for centuries, they must work, and that "all plants must have potential therapeutic application," are unproven and probably unprovable. He sees herbalism as a religion of nature, intuitive rather than precise and scientific.
major work integrating the herbal traditions of the East with those of the West by the bestselling author of "The Way of Herbs". This practical handbook and reference guide is a landmark publication in this field. For unprecedented usefulness in practical applications, the author provides a comprehensive listing of the more than 400 medicinal herbs available in the west, classified according to their chemical constituents, properties and actions, indicated uses and suggested dosages.

The Way of Herbs
by Michael Tierra
Tierra covers not only the botanical and therapeutic properties of herbs, he shows with great clarity how they fit into the wider context of holistic healing. His integration of traditional Western herbalism with Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine--and he is a master of all three--justifies his proprietary name of "Planetary Medicine."

The Way of Chinese Herbs
by Michael Tierra
It is the best in providing the names for Chinese medicines by ailment. What is especially useful is the names of the Chinese formulas in pill form. Gan mao ling has been a life saver in fighting off colds and flu, and that is only one of the herbs we have found! The Chinese clerks/herbalists have been impressed with our knowledge, asking where we have been able to get the information and names of the right medicine.

Treating Cancer with Herbs: An Integrative Approach
by Michael Tierra
In this book, Dr. Tierra provides a complete, systematic approach to treating cancer from a holistic perspective, while detailing the entire range of herbs and herbal medicines available to the practitioner and the patient alike. He adds his clinical experience and his deep compassion to create perhaps the definitive guidebook on cancer treatment for today's world.
All persons (willing to set aside our inherently limited, myopic Western worldview) are invited to take a step forward in to the time-honored medical traditions of our forefathers that are as relevant now as they were 5,000 years ago. Dr. Tierra is a true renaissance man in every sense of the word; he has stretched his belief systems to incorporate many healing traditions - American Indian, Western herbal, East Indian Ayurvedic and Chinese acupuncture and herbs. Drawing upon over forty years of study, teaching, and healing experience, he makes an impassioned plea for the integration of natural treatments with the oft-times too aggressive arsenal of accepted Western medical practices including surgery, radiation & chemotherapy.

Ayurvedic Medicine

Ayurveda , the science of life, prevention and longevity is the oldest and most holistic medical system available on the planet today. It was placed in written form over 5,000 years ago in India, it was said to be a world medicine dealing with both body and the spirit. Before the advent of writing, the ancient wisdom of this healing system was a part of the spiritual tradition of the Sanatana Dharma (Universal Religion), or Vedic Religion. VedaVyasa, the famous sage, shaktavesha avatar of Vishnu, put into writing the complete knowledge of Ayurveda, along with the more directly spiritual insights of self realization into a body of scriptural literature called the Vedas and the Vedic literatures.

Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing
by Vasant Lad
Keeping it short: this is the only modern intro. to ayurveda that is utterly complete, thorough, concise... well written, top to bottom, thoughtfully organized.... full of very real everyday applications of ayurveda.... it's theory plus application.... confused about ayurveda? want more 'cause you still don't quite get it? yes, this is the book you need.... as an individual's very first book on ayurveda, it is potentially very dense, depending upon consciousness.... if you've already got the essentials in your head, this book will give you an acceleration of understanding...
You have to be able to understand that "western" medicine is not the answer for everything and that in many cases it will eventually make you even sicker. What do you prefer, Prozac or a cup of some herbal tea that will eventually help you with depression?. What do you prefer, a cup of chamomile tea along with jatamansi or Pepto Bismol?. Ayurveda is something very real, helpful and extremely cheap. Hmmmm..... just wondering why allopacy wants to destroy alternative methods. Even better, is Ayurveda really an alternative treatment? 3,000 years before Jesus Ayurveda was being practiced...so, just wondering who's really alternative.

The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine, Second Edition
by Vasant Lad, David Frawley
For the first time, here is a detailed explanation and classification of herbs, using the ancient system of Ayurveda. More than 270 herbs are listed, with 108 herbs explained in detail. Included are many of the most commonly used western herbs with a profound Ayurvedic perspective. Important Chinese and special Ayurvedic herbs are introduced. Beautiful diagrams and charts, as well as detailed glossaries, appendices and index are included.

Textbook of Ayurveda
by Vasant Lad
Vasant Lad has presented a true text book that will become a companion of the modern day Ayurvedic student. Normally if one was to source concise information on the fundamentals of Ayurveda then one had the difficult task of studying the translations of Caraka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Vagbhata Samhita. While these texts are the foundation for modern Ayurveda they can be daunting to the student new to this amazing science. The only other method was to correlate information from books written by Vasant Lad, David Frawley, Atreya, Robert Svoboda, Subhash Ranade, Maya Tiwari etc.... and then one would build up a collection of information from different sources. Whilst this is not a bad thing (and I will continue to read books offered from these great teachers) finding enough detailed information was sometimes very hard. "The Text Book of Ayurveda: Fundamental Principles" is truly amazing. It is a must for the serious student of Ayurveda. Vasant Lad has indicated that this if the first of three, the next two dealing with; the clinical assessment of health and disease, and the management of disease. The contents of this book is vast, it covers all aspects of the philosophical foundation that Ayurveda stands upon, The Tridosha, Agni, The Seven Dhatu, The Fifteen Srotas, Ojas, Tejas, Prana, Digestion and Nutrition, to be honest this does no justice to what is actually in this textbook.

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda, ancient medical/holistic system from the vedic civilization of India, teaches that health is maintained by the balancing of three subtle energies known as Doshas - individually they are Vatha, Pitta and Kapha.
This system teaches maintenance and protection of the whole person (mind, body and soul). Ayurvedic medicine is based on an individual's characteristics and body frame rather than oriented toward treating disease or sickness.
Each of us are made up of a combination of the three types of doshas. The three doshas are comprised of these five universal elements:
1 space
2 air
3 earth
4 fire
5 water
Vatha is a combination of air and space.
Pitta is mostly fire with some water.
Kapha is mostly water with some earth.
Overall well-being and striving for longevity depends on keeping your doshas balanced. Any imbalance among the tridoshas causes a state of unhealthiness or disease. Factors that can bring about balance of the tridoshas are diet, exercise, good digestion, and elimination of toxins. You can follow the three links below to evaluate the characteristics of each dosha to consider if you are predominately one dosha or would be classified as a combo-energy such as vatha-pitta or vatha-kapha, or pitta-kapha, and so on.
Useful Ayurvedic Treatments
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Breathing Exercises
• Chakra Alignment
• Massage
• Steam Baths or Sweats

Women's Herbals

These books are for liberated women (and men) or those who want to be. -LionHeart-

Botanica Erotica : Arousing Body, Mind, and Spirit
by Diana De Luca
In this stunningly beautiful book, veteran herbalist Diana DeLuca shows us how to use safe and available herbs in ways that enhance and increase sensuality. . . . Much more than simply being a compendium of herbal aphrodisiacs, Botanica Erotica is dedicated to exploring the realm of the erotic by using your entire being.
"Botanica Erotica blends real herbalism with a joyful affirmation of sensuality, one that can come only when real experience blends with the consciousness of a green wise woman.  The result is a fun and empowering book, offering a cornucopia of pleasure to all who read it."

Opening Our Wild Hearts to the Healing Herbs
by Gail Faith Edwards.
Herbal medicines, plant lore, poetry, ceremonies, wild plants, medicinal trees and much more! A keeper. "This charming book weaves herbal lore, wise woman tradition, and personal experience into a magical and spiritual tapestry. Gail Faith Edward's directions for growing, harvesting, and utilizing Nature’s green gifts are surpassed only by her ability to express her own Wild Heart. Experienced herbalists and novices alike will be inspired by her vast knowledge and uplifting spirit. Includes 113 trees and herbs for medicine, food, and beauty." (Amazon Review)

Healing Wise
by Susun S. Weed
The Wise Woman tradition is the way of nourishment and sustenance, rather than of "fixing" and "curing." With that in mind, Susun Weed introduces us to seven herbs and encourages us to get to know these Green Allies by spending time with them. Food and medicine recipes are given for each herb, as well as fun facts and literary references. Susun also includes detailed instructions for making herbal preparations such as infusions, tinctures, oils and poultices. Her knowledge of herbs is quite evident, as is her commitment to the Wise Woman way of life.
This book is full of information on healing with herbs, and presented with insight and wit. I feel confident any health problem I may come across can be cured. Not with western medicine but with simple gifts from Mother Nature we should all get to know better, and shoud've used all along!

Hygieia
by Jeannine Parvati Baker, Jeannine Parvati
Much of Parvati's material is geared to younger woman-probably because she was younger when she wrote the book and authors tend to write about their experience, but she does have some good stuff on menopause. Given the outpouring of books on the topic of herbal healing in recent years, you might wonder what this book covers not found in other herbal volumes, and the answer is plenty. Parvati's book is about herb uses and the reproductive organs of the female body. Parvati organizes the herbs by topics, covering subjects such as aphrodisiacs to whet the sexual appetite, as well as herbs to improve fertility, assist with birth control, boost lactation, ease menstruation, et cetera. She has lots of graphic illustrations and pictures (naked bodies) and discusses herbal applications you probably won't find discussed anywhere else.
Parvati is Native American with a few other good qualities thrown in such as six children conceived and delivered a la natural. This is a book for liberated women (and men) or those who want to be.

Herbal Healing for Women
by Rosemary Gladstar
Gladstar points out that "there's a natural affinity between women and the plant world." Her own background includes individual experience with herbs, running a school of herbalism, and managing a herbal store; and her book (which does not identify plants) illustrates many of her resultant theories, attitudes, and practices. After introducing us to herbalism and describing the preparation of remedies and aids, she turns in the next four parts of the book to the subject of women and herbs according to "moon-time" in women's lives: early maturity, the childbearing years, pregnancy and childbirth, and menopause. The strong influence of woman's relationship to the earth's annual cycle pervades the text; a particularly beautiful example occurs in the discussion of the menarche and a lunar festive tea. Gladstar does admonish seeking professional help at times and, moreover, in a practical way rather than merely as an afterthought. Several appendixes provide additional information

Native American Herbals

American Indian Healing Arts : Herbs, Rituals, and Remedies for Every Season of Life
by E. Barrie Kavasch, Karen Baar
Throughout their history, the American Indians have healed with rituals using herbs, fungi, and other natural materials. They have valued as sacred the spiritual side of life and their connection to the earth. Their medicine has always been holistic, treating the body and spirit as one and illness as a sign of imbalance. Now we can benefit from American Indian wisdom with American Indian Healing Arts: Herbs, Rituals, and Remedies for Every Season of Life. This book is organized by the stages of life, presenting different tribal perspectives on the significance of each, with ceremonies and healing rituals (songs, prayers, botanicals). The book includes more than 60 recipes for treating health problems and other needs, from "cramp bark tea" to "marigold-calendula deodorant cream." There are also directions for making tonics, ointments, tooth powders, and digestive remedies, and illustrations consisting of leaf-rubbings of 80 plants. Besides learning to use American Indian remedies, you learn fascinating facts about their ceremonies. The Navajo celebrate not only birth, but the infant's first smile and first laugh, for example. An Apache girl celebrates first menstruation by running and dancing for four days (guided and massaged by an elder woman). If you're interested in alternative healing, or intrigued by American Indian culture, this book will add to your knowledge.

Native Plants Native Healing
by Tis Mal Crow, Tis Mal Crow
This book is a must for beginners and serious students of herbs and of Native American ways. This set of herbal teachings, which draws strongly from the Muscogee tradition, presents an understanding of the healing nature of plants for the first time in book form. In a time of expanding awareness of the potential of herbs, this work shines and beckons. Tis Mal examines common wild plants and in a clear and authoritative style explains how to identify, honor, select, and prepare them for use. Illustrated and indexed by plant name and medical topic.

Secrets of Native American Herbal Remedies: A Comprehensive Guide to the Native American Tradition of Using Herbs and the Mind/Body/Spirit Connection for Improving Health and Well-Being
by Anthony J. Cichoke
A complete guide to centuries-old Native American herbs and other remedies.
The modern techniques of holistic and alternative healing and natural remedies have been alive in the "old ways" of Native American medicine for centuries. This comprehensive guide introduces the Native American concept of healing, which incorporates body, mind, and spirit and stresses the importance of keeping all three in balance.
Dr. Anthony Cichoke explains the philosophy behind American Indian healing practices as well as other therapies, such as sweat lodges, used in conjunction with herbs. He examines each herb in an accessible A-to-Z format, explaining its healing properties and varying uses in individual tribes. Finally, he details Native American healing formulas and recipes for treating particular ailments, from hemorrhoids to stress.

A Handbook of Native American Herbs
by Alma R. Hutchens
This is a good book detailing over one hundred herbs commonly used by the American Indians for a variety of treatments. The book details the treatment, gives methods of application and a drawing.

Indian Herbalogy of North America
by Alma R. Hutchens
This book is indexed by plants and by diseases. It gives descriptions of habitat so you can go and find them in the wild. It is the only book i have read to date that actually tells how to make the ointments or tea and a history of how it has been used in many cultures. It gives side effects and wonderful detailed plant sketches.

Herb Seeds Resources

Organic farmers have led the way, largely at their own expense,

with innovative on-farm research aimed at reducing pesticide use and minimizing agriculture’s impact on the environment.

Fedco Seeds
A truly great resource for medicinal herb seeds, trees, bulbs, and wildflowers.
Fedco Seeds grew out of the “new wave” food co-operative movement of the 1970s, starting in 1978 as a project of the Maine Federation of Co-operatives. Fedco stands for Federation of Cooperatives. The Federation also ran a co-operative food warehouse in the late seventies and early eighties.

Johnny's Seeds
We operate our own certified organic trial and research farm here in Albion, Maine for seed production and to grow, breed, and evaluate over 4000 new and experimental varieties each year.

Horizon Herbs
This site now contains over 600 images of medicinal plants all taken at Horizon Herbs Farm. Enjoy!
We are growers of organically certified medicinal herb seed and plants here in Southern Oregon. We ship our seed worldwide, and we also ship plants and live rootstock within the U.S. We offer an extensive collection of organically certified seeds from the new harvest and plants grown on our own farm, including indigenous herb seeds from the Native American, Ayurvedic and Chinese traditions.

Association Kokopelli
Association Kokopelli, a non-profit making organisation in France, was set up in 1999 to take up the torch of Terre de Semences in France, which was forced to close down following the enforcement of a ministerial decree (Ministry of Agriculture) imposing draconian conditions for the legal registration of ancient vegetable varieties in a "A List for Amateur Varieties".
Association Kokopelli has, in this short time since 1999, blossomed all over Europe presenting an imposing collection of ancient vegetable varieties. Many members of the Association are very deeply involved in the protection of alimentary biodiversity and the safeguarding of traditional varieties.

Pepper Joe's
My organic seeds are grown in our own gardens. Many of the varieties have been grown for decades. We hand pick the biggest, best and ripest specimens and proudly pass this quality to you.

Greta's Organic Gardens
We grow plants for their uniqueness in taste and appearance, color and shape. We find the best of these qualities in old-fashioned plants. We have grown and tested many old-fashioned varieties, and we have many good-tasting vegetables to offer you.
Some of these plants are rapidly being replaced by hybrids and genetically altered varieties. By growing these older varieties yourself, you will help to preserve our vegetable heritage.
ALL OF OUR SEEDS ARE OPEN-POLLINATED AND UNTREATED.
WE DO NOT USE OR STOCK GENETICALLY ENGINEERED SEEDS.
MOST OF OUR SEEDS ARE ORGANICALLY GROWN.

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