The Herbal Handbook for Homesteaders

The Herbal Handbook for Homesteaders is an encyclopedia and herbal for using farmed herbs and foraged ingredients to improve and maintain health and welfare. Author Abby Artemisia is a botanist, educator, wildcrafter, and herbalist. The author is a professional and that is reflected in the text, but it seems to have found a balance between 'formal western medicine' and 'happy hippy'.

The handbook is logically laid out, with an introduction and how-to tutorial chapter explaining the tools and collection methods for different materials. There's a nice sub-chapter on harvesting and storing as well as sustainability and ethics (nothing too heavy, just common sense).  The author has included an example log sheet for use in the logbook.

I liked that the author suggested keeping a journal/stillroom book (the author refers to it properly as materia medica). Writing down what worked or didn't work, reactions, collection locations for foraged plants, etc is so vitally important for safety and consistent results.

The following chapters are roughly grouped by theme or medical issue. There are chapters on the immune system, skin (including bug repellents), allergies, etc.  There are also a number of recipes for teas, decoctions, infusions, salves, tinctures, liniments, imbrocations, and a few other preparations scattered throughout the text. These are cross referenced in the index with physical complaints (sore throat, allergy, etc).

The book includes a resource list (with links aimed at the North American reader), bibliography and short index. 

This is obviously a well written, well presented treatise which comes from the author's experience and passion for her subject matter.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.