Are you curious about medicinal plants and how they could help you and your family? If so, you’ll love these 17+ simply amazing herbal medicine books for common ailments and supporting overall health. They are full of practical information so you can start growing your herbal library quickly and easily!
The books are perfect for someone just starting to learn about herbs and interested in safe and effective ways to aid in healing.
So, if you’re ready to explore and learn how to use medicinal herbs properly, or even start your own backyard herbal apothecary- this list is for you!
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17 Best Herbal Medicine Books
If you are interested in natural healing using folk medicine, healing plants, and natural remedies, these herbalism books are sure to give you a crash course in herbal medicine but will also continue to be your go-to resource because of the practical tips.
1. Herbal Materia Medica
The Herbal Materia Medica was written by Michael Moore, the founder of the Southwest School Of Botanical Medicine.
The book is a fantastic list of 500 medicinal plants and herbal recipes that offer simple instructions on how to prepare and use remedies using specific plants.
2. Herbal Medicine Maker’s Handbook
The Herbal Medicine Maker’s Handbook by James Green is a great book for beginning herbalists that are drawn to plants, believe in an inner healer, and want to learn about herbal energetics as well as the science of plant medicine.
I will say, some people don’t resonate with the spiritual information that the author shares, and that’s understandable, but I think that this book is still a good one to add to a growing library.
3. Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients into Foods and Remedies That Heal
Alchemy Of Herbs by Rosalee de la Forêt is a great book if you want to learn more about using common herbs and their medicinal properties.
This is one of my favorite herbal books because it is so well-written, provides detailed information yet is easy to read. And it is only enhanced by beautiful photography of the plants.
4. Making Plant Medicine
Making Plant Medicine by Richo Cech is a great choice if you are interested in learning more about healing herbs and making your own herbal medicine and remedies.
This book isn’t just a book on herb gardening, plant identification, or herbal preparations, it has everything you need to use plants to assist in having vibrant health for you and your family.
Beginner and experienced herbalists alike will find interesting herbs not often mentioned in other books, details of each plant, and the medicinal uses for each.
This book just might be my favorite herbal medicine-making guide!
5. The Modern Herbal Dispensatory
The Modern Herbal Dispensatory by Thomas Easley and Steven Horne is well-written as well as easy to read and understand.
This is a good reference book with highly practical material that can be helpful for beginners and those who are somewhat familiar with herbs.
If you’re interested in growing your own medicinal plants for herbal healing, be sure to consider this book.
6. The Complete Herbal Tutor
The Complete Herbal Tutor by Anne McIntyre is a great book that includes different herbs, constituents, and how to best prepare them.
While some feel like this is more of a reference book than a book to sit down and actually read, it is, in my opinion, one of the herbal medicine books you will want to have on your bookshelf if you plan to make natural remedies from medicinal plants.
7. Herbal Remedies For Vibrant Health
Herbal Remedies For Vibrant Health by Rosemary Gladstar is definitely on my list of best herbal medicine books.
This book is very well written and makes it easy to find whatever you may be searching for when it comes to herbal recipes. And the recipes are easy to follow too.
If you are interested in making herbal medicine for yourself or your family, you can never go wrong with a book from this well-respected author and herbalist.
8. Botanical Medicine For Women’s Health
Botanical Medicine For Women’s Health by Dr. Aviva Romm is an excellent resource.
This book includes information about common ailments and everything a woman would want to know as well as the data to support it.
By embracing herbal traditions and holistic medicine, while practicing traditional medicine, Dr. Romm has written a must-read book on medical herbalism.
9. Herbal Healing For Women
Herbal Healing For Women by Rosemary Gladstar is a comprehensive guide that is easy to use for issues a woman may face through every stage of life.
There is information about how to use herbs in various forms such as healing herbal infusions, tinctures, teas, salves, and ointments. You will also find dosage recommendations along with possible side effects.
10. The Green Pharmacy
The Green Pharmacy by James A. Duke, PhD., is an interesting book that is easy to read and written in a conversational style.
In this book, Dr. Duke provides information about herbs, medicinal foods, and natural remedies while also explaining how to incorporate them into your life.
There is not much explanation for making your own remedies from plants though, so if you were interested in growing herbs or making your own herbal medicines, you may need a different guide.
Even without that information, this book is still on my list of best herbal medicine books because the info the author does supply is interesting and very helpful.
11. Body Into Balance: An Herbal Guide To Holistic Self-Care
Body Into Balance by Maria Noel Groves is a great read filled with thorough information and is perfect for someone that is new to plant medicine or those looking to increase their knowledge of how symptoms are signals from the body.
In this book, you’ll find a section on herbal recipes and how to use plants to make remedies such as teas, tinctures, balms, and more.
This book is really a great addition to any herbal medicine library.
12. Earthwise Herbal, Vol. 1: A Complete Guide To Old World Medicinal Plants
Earthwise Herbal Vol. 1 By Matthew Wood is filled with information based on the author’s twenty-five years of clinical experience.
This book is a fantastic reference and it is clear that Mr. Wood has done a lot of research, there is great information about herbal medicines as well as case studies and historical data.
13. Earthwise Herbal, Vol 2: A Complete Guide To New World Medicinal Plants
Earthwise Herbal Vol. 2 by Matthew Wood is the companion book and a great compliment to Vol. 1.
In this volume, there are detailed descriptions of herbs that are listed alphabetically.
For each plant, an explanation is given as to how to use the whole herb, the health conditions it may be helpful for, and associated symptoms.
The author’s many years of experience, knowledge, and attention to detail are evident when reading this great resource.
14. Encyclopedia Of Herbal Medicine
Encyclopedia Of Herbal Medicine by Andrew Chevallier is an often recommended guide for beginners because it touches on just about everything related to herbs.
All of the herbs listed are explained in detail from where they typically grow to how to use them.
There is also information about traditional and current uses, parts of the plants to use, how to use each one properly, and safety information.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-read and search herbal medicine book, this is a great choice.
15. Healing Herbal Infusions
Healing Herbal Infusions by Colleen Codekas is a wonderful book that explains how to make easy herbal infusions from herbs you grow (or buy) that are helpful for ailments such as colds and flu, digestion, pain, stress relief, and so much more.
These herbal remedies in this book are cost effective, simple to make, full of easily absorbable vitamins and minerals, and truly health-supporting natural remedies.
Over the years I have come to really appreciate the simple, yet powerful nature of infusions and can’t say enough about this book, other than it is most definitely one of my favorite herbal medicine books of all time!
16. The Herbal Apothecary: 100 Medicinal Herbs And How To Use Them
The Herbal Apothecary by JJ Pursell is a great book if you want to jump into the world of making your own herbal medicines.
This is a great introduction that provides the plant profiles of 100 of the most common medicinal plants and their uses.
This comprehensive guide offers step-by-step instructions for making remedies, salves, compresses, and more!
It’s a great book to learn all about plant medicine and how it can help you!
17. The Art Of Herbal Healing: Herbalism For Beginners
The Art Of Herbal Healing by Ava Green is a great book for beginners.
There is information about the anatomy of herbs, how plants can be effective for various ailments, how to create a natural first aid kit, what is needed to grow and harvest your own herbs, and even how to start your own apothecary.
If you want to rely on western medicine less and natural remedies like herbs more, this book can help you get started.
Additional Herbal Medicine Books To Consider
The herbal medicine books in this section are also helpful if you are interested in growing your own medicinal plants, learning more about folk medicine, supporting your immune system (and whole body in general), or just love looking at beautiful botanical illustrations.
1. Grow Your Own Medicine: Handbook For The Self-Sufficient Herbalist
If you are working toward a more self-sufficient lifestyle, this book could be a great help. This book covers everything from how to successfully grow your own plants to how to use them. And the information is science-backed so you can feel confident in what you’re learning.
Herbal teas are a great way to enjoy and transform everyday ingredients. And the formulations in this book are great for adrenal support, digestion, reducing inflammation, allergy relief, and so much more. This is definitely going to be the next addition to my list of herbalism books!
We can’t have a list of the best herbal medicine books and not include one for our favorite pets!
Herbs For Pets is a great reference book that is easy to read, full of helpful information, and a top pick for herbal books for pets.
If you’re looking for a more natural approach to your pet’s health and how to treat issues using simple remedies, this is a great choice.
Last Thoughts About The Best Herbal Medicine Books…
Using herbal remedies is considered alternative medicine, but people have been using herbs for health and healing since the beginning of time.
And while many physicians or health care providers question the effectiveness of medicinal plants, there are science-based articles and studies that support natural alternatives to treating symptoms with drugs.
So, if you want access to a wealth of information about healing plants and how you can use these medicines for everything from headaches to first aid- be sure to check out the books on this list and start growing your library (and helping your family) today.
PS-Just a word of advice…once you start buying books about herbs, it may be difficult to stop!
Do you have a favorite book about herbal remedies or essential oils that is perfect for a beginner? I’d love to hear about it! Feel free to comment below or send me a message and let me know.
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