Essential Books for the Burgeoning Plant Nerd

It's hard for me to call a place home if there aren't any books around. I will readily admit that I have an obsession with books. They take up a majority of the space amongst my things and I almost always fall asleep with a book somewhere in my bed. Books have always provided some source of comfort for me. If I'm having an off day, I often find myself headed in the direction of the nearest bookstore or Goodwill to space out and focus on the lives of all those fictional folk whose stories I have yet to meet. Even before I could read, I felt the pull of the written word. I collected, stacked and organized my books. I found books with blank pages and scribbled upon each line as if I were writing the worlds greatest prose. I was a little weirdo about books and I suppose I still am...

When I first moved to California from Maine to attend herb school, I took 4 books on herbalism, a well loved copy of Patti Smith's, Just Kids, a collection of Richard Brautigan novels and Arthur Rimbaud's, Illuminations. As I unpacked my things in my new little redwood cottage, I felt a lack of something; it was the limited presence of books in my new little house that gave me a ragged, haunted feeling. I admittedly panicked and bought as many books I could get my hands on (typically under $5 bucks as I was a student spending my money on plants, jars and rent). 

Here I've compiled some of those books I sought comfort in and drew knowledge from during my time in the redwoods and now. These authors have have been my greatest teachers, critics and friends throughout my herbal journey and I'm excited to share them with you. I feel that know, more than ever, is the time to arm yourself with such allies and learn as much as you can. Learn for yourself, your community, your family, your animal friends and your earth. 

Got a book or zine you want to add? Leave your suggestions in the comments below!

Foundations

• Herbal Recipes For Vibrant Health by Rosemary Gladstar

• Medical Herbalism by David Hoffman

• Wicked Plants by Amy Stewart

• The Male Herbal by James Green

• Herbal Healing for Women by Rosemary Gladstar

• The Secret Life of Plants by Christopher Bird and Pete Tompkins

• The Secret Teachings of Plants by Stephen Harrod Buhner

• The Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra

• A Modern Herbal Volume 1 and Volume 2 by Margaret Grieve

• Ayurveda: The Science of Self Healing by Dr. Vasant Lad

• Culpeper's Complete Herbal by Nicholas Culpeper

• Adaptogens by David Winston

• The Book of Herbal Wisdom by Matthew Wood

• The Gift of Healing Herbs by Robin Rose Bennett

• The Master Book of Herbalism by Paul Beyerl

• Nature's Children by Juliette de Bairacli Levy

• Common Herbs for Natural Health by Juliette de Bairacli Levy

• Deeply Rooted by Bonnie Rose Weaver

• Witches, Nurses and Midwives by Barbara Ehrenreich & Deirdre English

Healing Foods

• Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon

• Be Radical, Eat Traditional! by Summer Ashley and Sarah Benjamin of the Great Kosmic Kitchen

• Wild Fermentation by Sandor Katz

• The Herbal Kitchen by Kami McBride

• The Tassajara Bread Book by Edward Espe Brown

• One Part Plant by Jessica Murnane

• The Book of Jook by Bob Flaws

Botanical Brews

• The Drunken Botanist by Amy Stewart

• Sacred and Herbal Healing Beers by Stephen Harrod Buhner

• The Cordial Makers Cookbook by Dennis Wildberger

• The Wildcrafted Cocktail by Ellen Zachos

• Wild Drinks & Cocktails by Emily Han

Medicine Making

• The Herbal Medicine-Maker's Handbook: A Home Manual by James Green

• Making Plant Medicine by Richo Cech

Zines

• Herbal First Aid by Raleigh Briggs

• The Mental Health Cookbook by H. Finn Cunningham

• NERVINES by Homestead Apothecary ((and all others in their zine series))

• Sacred and Mysterious by Brittany Wood Nickerson

• Damn Bloody Rite by Holy Sponge

• Gingertooth & Twine zine series by Spencre L.R. McGowan

• Self Care In Uncertain Times by Maribeth Helen

• Spellbound Herbal zines by Brittany Ducham

• The Cauldron Zine edited by Demetria Provatas & Milla Prince

• Lady Parts by Dani Burlison