The Self-Help Herbal

Synopsis

A reliable companion for using herbal remedies to support everyday health

A vital contribution to the herbal canon, this book clearly explains how to care for family and friends using plant medicine. As interest in natural approaches to health continues to grow, The Self-Help Herbal — a safe, reliable, and easy-to-use reference from an experienced herbalist —is an indispensable resource for anyone wishing to expand their herbal knowledge and confidence.

The opening section explains why common health problems arise and provides an accessible introduction to human anatomy and physiology: how the body's structures work together to maintain health. Next, at the heart of The Self-Help Herbal, is a comprehensive A-Z of everyday conditions that can be managed at home with herbs. From allergies and coughs to earache, hay fever, and nappy rash (as well as many more), each entry includes a clear description of the condition, an explanation of its likely causes, and suggested herbal remedies. Importantly, the book also highlights when home treatment is no longer appropriate and professional medical advice should be sought.

The book also contains appendices which guide users to the correct herbs, along with information on preparing medicines such as teas, creams or liniments. There is a separate list of conditions for which it would be unsafe to use certain plants, for example in pregnancy. Guidelines to healthy eating as well as additional information on liver health and recommended essentials for the first aid home kit are included.

Drawing on more than twenty years of clinical practice as a qualified medical herbalist, The Self-Help Herbal empowers readers to take a more active role in their health and wellbeing through a tradition of plant medicine that has been cultivated globally for thousands of years.