Awards

• Commended for Honorable mention for the 2022 ABC James A. Duke Excellence in Botanical Literature Award in the consumer/popular category 2022
• Winner of Honorable mention for the 2022 ABC James A. Duke Excellence in BotanicalLiterature Award in the consumer/popular category 2022

Overview

Herbs of California will be the first statewide field guide to the 70 most common medicinal plants of California. This vital edition to the California naturalist’s shelf will introduce readers to the principles of herbal remedies, history and roots in native cultures, scientific information, and how to find and incorporate medicinal plants into daily life. Social media is making natural remedies accessible to a new generation, informing and inspiring everyone from part-time hippies and aspiring #plantwitches to new mothers and busy professionals to tap the wisdom and benefits of the land. This guide will build a foundation for aspirants to get outside, and discover the herbs in their own backyards, as well as informing troves of active foragers, gardeners, and nature-lovers. Inside you’ll find: Photos and descriptions to help with positive identification Common and scientific names and the plant families Conservation status Modern and traditional uses The science behind natural phytochemicals that have earned these plants a place in Native American medicine for thousands of years.

Full Product Details

9781493058020

Table of Contents

Reviews

"This well-researched and fact-filled guide goes further than most to dive into phytochemistry. It explains the inner workings of plant medicine, such as how manzanita's (Arctostaphylos spp.) arbutin becomes antiseptic in the urinary tract. Most of the 70 herbs are Southern California natives, with a few venturing more northerly. I like the inclusion of traditional and modern uses identified by the tribe that uses them. Ideas of wild plant experts such as Michael Moore and Greg Tilford are shared while many misconceptions corrected. The 30 recipes are for edibles, although there is no instruction for medicine making. There are many harvesting tips incorporating conservation. I only wish the photos were sharper since they highlight interesting aspects of the plants. Kaufer is a biologist and naturopath, who gives herb walks.-- ""American Herb Association Quarterly Newsletter"""

This well-researched and fact-filled guide goes further than most to dive into phytochemistry. It explains the inner workings of plant medicine, such as how manzanita's (Arctostaphylos spp.) arbutin becomes antiseptic in the urinary tract. Most of the 70 herbs are Southern California natives, with a few venturing more northerly. I like the inclusion of traditional and modern uses identified by the tribe that uses them. Ideas of wild plant experts such as Michael Moore and Greg Tilford are shared while many misconceptions corrected. The 30 recipes are for edibles, although there is no instruction for medicine making. There are many harvesting tips incorporating conservation. I only wish the photos were sharper since they highlight interesting aspects of the plants. Kaufer is a biologist and naturopath, who gives herb walks.-- American Herb Association Quarterly Newsletter

"""(Medicinal Herbs of California) is the most practical, detailed, and referenced work available on the safe use of California native plants for healing."" - Christopher Hobbs, PhD, LAc is a fourth-generation herbalist and mycologist, licensed acupuncturist, herbal clinician, research scientist, consultant, botanist, and author of more than 20 books and numerous articles. This well-researched and fact-filled guide goes further than most to dive into phytochemistry. It explains the inner workings of plant medicine, such as how manzanita's (Arctostaphylos spp.) arbutin becomes antiseptic in the urinary tract. Most of the 70 herbs are Southern California natives, with a few venturing more northerly. I like the inclusion of traditional and modern uses identified by the tribe that uses them. Ideas of wild plant experts such as Michael Moore and Greg Tilford are shared while many misconceptions (are) corrected."

Author Information

Lanny Kaufer has been leading Herb Walks in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties since 1976, educating scores of locals and visitors on the flora of the area with a focus on herbs that can be used for food and medicine. As an herbal educator, Lanny also leads workshops and presentations throughout the Ojai-Ventura-Santa Barbara area on the edible and medicinal uses of California plants. Lanny studied biology at the University of California as well as naturopathic medicinal studies with physiology professor Dr. Henry Hilgard. Lanny is a faculty member of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute-California State University Extension. He served as chief consultant on medicinal plants for the redesign of the Swimmer Medicinal Garden in Playa Vista. Lanny actively shares his work online through his website (herbwalks.com) and social media, which he plans to develop for the promotion of this book.

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