Barbara Brownell Grogan - Healing Spices Handbook

Early on in my herbal education I attended a lecture given by the well-known and well-respected herbalist Cascade Anderson Geller. She told a story about a student of hers referencing herbs and spices during one of her classes. She promptly interrupted the student by saying spices are herbs! It was such a simple statement, but it captured my attention so completely. I can clearly recall sitting on the grass in that sun-drenched courtyard listening to those words while my young mind began expanding.... Yes, of course! The plants that play such a central role in mealtime, the plants that nearly everyone knows, have powerful healing properties, too! I quickly realized that this meant every kitchen pantry doubled as a medicine cabinet. As I continued to immerse myself in herbal studies over the next several years, I would often think of Cascades words while traveling to spend time with family and friends or visiting other countries. I took comfort in knowing that as long as I had access to a kitchen with at least a small spice collection, I could create remedies for countless ailments. Over the years I have had the pleasure of experiencing and witnessing the incredible effects of common spices. Years ago, I met with traditional Mayan healer Beatrice Waight, and after I described my struggle with knee pain, she suggested trying a poultice of oregano leaf on the joint. I was so impressed with the results that oregano has become one of my favorite spices to use in red sauce recipes and for easing all varieties of aches and pains. Fast-forward to the present day, and I am delighted to find myself once again steeped in the powerful healing found in the plants that bring such pleasure to our mealtime experiences.

The modern-day exploration of spices is one that can combine the intellectual with the romantic. The field of phytochemistry offers continued insight into the beneficial compounds found in spices, creating a hunger for pairing this knowledge with the love of food. While considering the healing power of curcumin, one of turmerics most powerful healing constituents, we can call to mind the delightful aromas that waft from a pot of turmeric-rich curry. This combination of intellect and sensory stimulation really puts us in a place to truly understand how our food can be our medicine. What we eat is not only medicinal, due to the healing properties of spices, but the captivating aromas and flavors of these spices also create powerful sensory stimulation. Experiencing the enchanting potency of spices through our senses can stir something deep within the soul. Perhaps an ancient memory of far-off lands? Maybe memories of loved ones and simple pleasures? How about a dreamlike inner journey that reveals some powerful vision? Or perhaps the smells and tastes of certain spices simply warm your heart and make you feel like youve come home. All of this is medicine. The numinous aspects of plant healing are prominent in the world of spices, and to engage these healers is to engage the mysterious world that lies within the human senses. Our senses are the gatekeepers to inner healing magic and, for many, spices offer a key to that realm. In our modern world, the mystical experience of healing spices is tempered with knowledge gained through time-honored traditions, medical research, clinical trials, and phytochemistryand this knowledge allows a more creative approach to health by combining ancient wisdom with medical science.

As you embark on this journey of healing spices with Barbara Brownell Grogan, you will begin to see your kitchen spice cabinet in a whole new light! A trip down the spice aisle in the grocery store will awaken the creative force of your inner medicine woman or man with visions of healing concoctions to share with friends and family. Barbara offers a beautiful introduction to the powerful and mysterious world of healing spices by giving you descriptions of spices that are clear, practical, and inspiring. Furthermore, she offers simple descriptions of some of the most commonly experienced ailments and connects those ailments with the spices that are best suited to address them. And get ready for the recipes! I promise this book will have you running to the kitchen to prepare everything from quick remedies to delicious dinners and snacks. Here Barbara has brought to light a world where mealtimes are filled with the magic of healing plants and your kitchen spice drawer doubles as a medicine chest!