Top 10 Herbalism Books
a portion of The Herbalist's Garden bookshelf
Literature was my introduction to the world of herbalism. A friend had recommended Prescription for Nutritional Healing to me back in 2019 when I was going through a time of dis-ease in my life. At the time, my perception of herbal supplements was a narrow view of capsules lining vitamin store shelves for the health aficionado. The recommendations in this book were a combination of diet change, vitamin supplements as well as herbs. I was introduced to the concept of using herbs to support my body’s healing process. More importantly, I implemented these herbal recommendations and I started to experience a positive change in my health. This spark of amazement, “herbs work!” propelled me down the path to where I am today, a clinical herbalist. But at the beginning of my journey, I was reading every book on herbalism I could get my hands on before I decided to pursue a certification with the hopes of turning my hobby into a career.
This list, “Top 10 Herbalism Books” is a reflection of my personal opinion & journey. These are my favorites from the past 4 years of studying herbalism. The books I have chosen, I decided on with the intent of offering a list to those who are interested in herbalism and are looking for reliable information to build foundational knowledge with, as well as those who are ready to take their general knowledge of herbs to a deeper understanding.
The book selections are my own, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The Modern Herbal Dispensatory is the most referenced book on my shelf due to its comprehensive and concise Materia Medica. I can quickly confirm dosages, energetics and properties when formulating herbal remedies. The easy-to-follow directions explain every herbal preparation you can think of, making it a great in-depth book for the eager novice and a next step herbal manual for the beginner ready for more advanced techniques.
Holistic Herbal by David Hoffman is harder to find, but well worth the used book hunt as it is an herbalism classic. The information is divided up by body systems, making it a great introductory resource on herbal affinities to specific organs and their respected systems. Along with thorough descriptions of numerous herbs, what is unique to this book that I find helpful are the yellow inset panels that share recommendations on which herbs blend well together for desired health goals.
Encyclopedias offer a wealth of knowledge and no bookshelf would be complete without one. Though there are many encyclopedias on the topic of herbal medicine, this one by Andrew Chevalier is my favorite. A brief history of herbalism is shared at the beginning of the book, while the rest is entirely profiles of herbs from around the world. Arranged by their Latin names, information regarding habitat & cultivation, related species, key constituents, key actions, research, traditional & current uses, parts used as well as key preparations & uses makes this book a necessity on any herbalist’s bookshelf. Clear photographs of the herbs accompany each herbal profile making it a coveted reference book.
This one is for the herbalist who is ready for more advanced information. Herbal Formularies for Health Professionals is actually a set of five volumes, with the focus of digestion & elimination being the crux of Volume 1. I recommend the entire set for those who are practicing herbalists in their community and offering consultations. You must have a solid knowledge of Materia Medica before delving into these volumes. These books are designed for those who are working with the public to address specific health goals and are looking for a reference book to help them formulate herbal protocols. I prefer not to use any one book as a crutch for my formulations, so in my personal process, when I am formulating herbal medicine, I sit down and brainstorm without any literature, using the knowledge & experience I have gained, then I “check my work” so to speak, by referencing a minimum of 3 different sources to confirm and adjust my formula. This set of volumes is always one of the three sources I use at it covers a breadth of disease & ailments, offering concrete formulas & dosage and explaining the why behind the connection of herb and presentation.
“Herbalism is a human response to plants.” This quote by James Green, author of The Herbal Medicine-Maker’s handbook, perfectly encompasses Green’s philosophy of working with herbs within the home. This manual breaks down the barrier walls of herbalism that have led many to believe that crafting herbal medicine for themselves and loved ones is too complicated, daunting, or only possible for those who have studied the subject thoroughly. Green approaches the writing of his book as a true community elder, inviting the reader to be his apprentice as he shares not only specific formulations and instruction on the how-tos of extraction, infusion, and distillation, (to name a few topics in his expansive book) but he also shares personal opinions from a humble point of view, sharing his experience, humor, and wisdom in a way that makes the paragraphs between the herbal recipes just as interesting as the step by step formulations themselves. For anyone who has looked up a recipe online and scrolled past the blogger’s writing, straight to the recipe, you understand the significance of James Green’s writing skills in order to captivate the reader in such a way as to elevate what could have been a singular reference book into one immediately wants to read cover to cover.
A regional field guide was part of the required book list at my herbal school and this is an idea I support for all new students. Life experience with herbs can go beyond a backyard herb garden to foraging your native land. To experience plants where they are, in their native habitat, to observe their true growth patterns in the wild brings a greater connectiveness & appreciation for our plant allies. By becoming familiar with the medicine that grows naturally around you, you can better stock your home apothecary and offer this awareness to family, friends and clients. Free medicine can be a hike away. The need for us to be conscious consumers extends into our responsibility as herbalists. Minimize your footprint by foraging & harvesting what you can locally. Be equipped with a field guide, identification app, and foraging expert so that you understand how to wildcraft responsibly and safely.
Rosemary Gladstar is one of the most trusted, most respected herbalists of our time and no booklist would be sincere without one of her books included. She helped blazed the path of western herbalism that we know and enjoy today and she has been, and still is, a renowned teacher on the subject. Her beginner’s guide is her most popular book, and it is the one I recommend to read first for anyone who is interested in the subject but doesn’t know where to start. This book gives a gentle introduction, offers easy recipes and sage advice. Her writing style really makes you feel like you are being handed down this herbal knowledge from a loving & caring grandmother, igniting a spark in your herbal journey for more advanced reads like the other books on this list.
Juliette de Bairacli Levy is a legend in the world of herbalism. There is a wonderful documentary out about her life, and her work has been a monumental inspiration for me on my own journey. First published in 1952, The Complete Herbal Handbook for Farm & Stable contains everything that a modern homesteader needs to care for their animal family. An herbal approach to holistic veterinary medicine, this book is the authority on herbal medicine for animals, including formulas & dosage. Preparations are clearly explained, as is administering to a range of different animals with focus on livestock. Whenever other farmers consult with me, this is the number one book I recommend.
Matthew Wood is one of the United States’ most renowned herbalists with The Book of Herbal Wisdom considered a “classic” in the realm of herbalism. What is interesting about Wood is his vast knowledge on Native American shamanic botany and Traditional Chinese Medicine. This book gives a history of indigenous traditions, integrating North American Indian medicine, homeopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine and modern Western Herbalism making this book unique in is breadth of cultural resources and reminds the reader how ancient the practice of herbal medicine is and how significant of a torch it is for us to carry as humans. He shares the history and uses of over 40 important plants in the book, creating a useful balance of both folkore and reference.
Richo Cech is the man behind Strictly Medicinal Seeds, a family company that has been growing a diverse range of medicinal herbs since 1985. Since then, the Cech family has been collecting the seeds from their gardens and selling them through their yearly catalog. I am a huge fan of Strictly Medicinal Seeds and source half of the seeds I use for my own herbal garden from this company. His book, Making Plant Medicine, shares the adventures of the Cech Family practicing self-sufficiency in the Siskiyou Mountains of Southern Oregon. Natural gardening techniques are explained thoroughly including garden plans, how to grow, harvest, and save seeds. This is a great book for those who are interested in the gardening aspect of herbalism. This book was a huge inspiration for me and my own business ethos.
Studying herbalism, riverside
I want to thank my friend (you know who you are) who asked me to write this post and inspired me to start this blog to share herbal resources. I hope to share a new post weekly highlighting resources, recipes and herbal profiles. My goal is for this herbal blog to be a reliable & free resource for the budding herbalist.
I would love to hear about the books that shaped your journey. Share them in the comments below and I look forward to growing our bookshelf together.
Thank you for sharing this time with me.
Your Friend,
Amanda N. Carpenter
Clinical Herbalist & Founder
The Herbalist’s Garden LLC
