natural relief for contemporary issues
I think we can all agree that life is complicated. We are all trying to do our best, but there are times that we sit too long and stare at our tech too much, when the air is filled with smoke or pollen, when we catch the cold going around or have trouble sleeping. And if you don’t want to reach for something pharmaceutical to help with those issues, where can you turn? You can turn to the plants.
Herbal Medicine for Modern Life is a starter’s guide for using herbs to create mixtures that can help with a lot of the complications we face today. If you are looking for something that could be more gentle than store-bought meds, or cheaper, or something that makes you feel closer to the Earth and its healing properties, then herbal medicine might be what you’ve been craving.
Of course, it’s recommended that you seek professional help as well as this book, to make sure there will be no interactions with any prescription of over-the-counter medicines you take. And feel free to consult with a professional herbalist or healer for help. But if you’ve done that and want to move ahead on your own, author Ruth Blanding has crafted this informative book to help you get started. She has worked as a wellness practitioner for 16 years and has studied natural remedies her entire life, drawing from her African and Native American heritage and the healers and shamans who have come before her.
The book is divided into three parts. The first starts with a short history and philosophy of herbal medicine and what you will need in order to get started. Blanding emphasizes starting with the smallest amount you need, both as you purchase supplies and as you apply the remedies, to build slowly until you find what works best for you. The second part of the book is a collection of plants that can be used in these remedies, each one with information about how they are generally used, the plant family they come from, and important considerations with each ingredient.
The third part of the book is the remedies themselves. These include teas, infusions, syrups, and balms and can address a number of issues. If you have breathing problems whether it’s sinus or lung related, there are options. There are balms that can help with cuts and teas that help with insomnia. If you are experiencing gut issues, want to bump up your immunity to viruses, need to detox after a big night out, or want to fight chronic headaches, there are recipes here that may help. If you’re tired of Western medicine and want some different options, this book is a lovely place to start.
I was impressed Herbal Medicine for Modern Life. I thought the depth of information was perfect for a beginner—it’s enough to get you started without being overwhelming. And I liked that she repeated encouragement to reach out to a doctor or professional herbalist, as this book is clearly written for beginners, who might not fully understand the possible complications of mixing herbal medicines and store-bought medicines. And I thought her remedies reached far more issues than I expected, including ideas for infertility, menopause, long COVID, tech burnout, and ED. This book is packed with information for anyone wanting some alternatives to traditional Western medicine, and it’s the perfect place to start to learn about herbal remedies.
A copy of Herbal Medicine for Modern Life was provided by Zeitgeist, with many thanks, but the opinions are my own.
