Michael Phillips - The Herbalist’s Way - The Art and Practice of Healing with Plant Medicines

The Herbalists Way

The Herbalists Way

The Art and Practice of Healing with Plant Medicines

NANCY AND MICHAEL PHILLIPS

Foreword by Rosemary Gladstar

CHELSEA GREEN PUBLISHING COMPANY
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VERMONT

Copyright 2005 Nancy and Michael Phillips.
Originally published as The Village Herbalist, 2001.
Illustrations copyright 2001 Robin Wimbiscus.
Unless otherwise noted, photographs are copyright 2001 Michael Phillips.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be transmitted in any form by any means without permission in writing from the publisher.
Designed by Jill Shaffer.
Printed in the United States.
First printing, August, 2005.

Printed on acid-free, recycled paper.

Chelsea Green Publishing Company and the authors assume no liability for personal injury from actions inspired by this book. The information provided here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, medical examinations, or hands-on professional training. Remember that plants and plant medicines can be used inappropriately. Please use caution, respect, and common sense when experimenting with herbal treatments on yourself and others. Understand the contraindications of the herbs you intend to use, and consult with a physician, especially if you plan to use herbal remedies in conjunction with other pharmaceuticals.

Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Chelsea Green was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed in initial capital letters.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Phillips, Nancy, 1957
The herbalist's way : the art and practice of healing with plant medicines /
Nancy and Michael Phillips ; foreword by Rosemary Gladstar.
p. ; cm.
Rev. ed. of: The village herbalist. c2001.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 1-931498-76-8 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Materia medica, Vegetable. 2. Medicinal plants. 3. Herbs--Therapeutic use.

[DNLM: 1. Medicine, Herbal--methods. 2. Phytotherapy--methods. 3. Plant Preparations. 4. Plants, Medicinal. WB 925 P562h 2004] I. Phillips, Michael, 1957- II. Phillips, Nancy, 1957- The village herbalist. III. Title.
RS164.P5335 2004
615'.321--dc22

2004028996

Chelsea Green Publishing Company
Post Office Box 428
White River Junction, VT 05001
(800) 639-4099
www.chelseagreen.com

For GRACE ELENA

and all those in the next generation.

Honor the Earth.
Give glory to the Creator.
Cherish that sweet connection with the plants.
And your medicine power will bedeep and strong.

Contents

I consider it an honor to be writing this foreword for one of my favorite herb books, written by two of my favorite herbalists. Michael and Nancy Phillips personify the image of the traditional, yet thoroughly modern village herbalist, and their homestead in the north woods of New Hampshire has become a place of pilgrimage for many other herbalists and herbal students. Here one finds a plant lovers dream, an herbalists oasisan old farmstead that has been lovingly restored and is surrounded by forested hills, lush gardens, and a year-round mountain brook running down through the field. Michael and Nancy and Gracie, their budding young herbalist daughter, walk their talk easily and with joy, and what they write about they actually live. Their experience lends substance and insight to the words they spin on paper in the late nights after the gardens are tended, meals cooked, animals bedded, and the chores of the day are put to rest.

I have been excited about this project almost from the moment of its conception, when Nancy and Michael first mentioned that they were thinking of writing a book about herbal healing for would-be practitioners. I knew without doubt that this would be more than simply another herbal how-to book. That it would reach down to the heart and spirit of herbalism and capture the essence of this great tradition of healing. That it would address the issues of being a family or community herbalist and of practicing herbal medicine in the modern world. Knowing the quality of everything that Michael and Nancy do and the honesty and soulfulness they put into their endeavors, I fully expected they would create a great book. As it happened, though, they have exceeded even my greatest expectations.

This is an immensely practical book. In the context of being a community herbalist, The Herbalists Way instructs the reader how to harvest, prepare, and use a variety of useful healing plants. Wonderful recipes are providedsome of Nancys favorite preparations, as well as step-by-step instructions on how to prepare home medicine from the plants. But thats only the beginning, a fine appetizer to the feast that awaits the reader.

The book is also wonderfully clear-eyed and straightforwardly honesteven brazen and it jumps right into the core issues surrounding herbalism: what it means to be an herbalist; what practicing herbalism is all about; and the various paths before us, whether we are grower, wild crafter, practitioner, medicine maker, manufacturer, or store keeper. And it doesnt stop there. The realities of the FDA. Standardization. Certification. Scientific validation. These are critically important topics that most herb books gingerly step around. Nancy and Michael wisely refrain from providing all the answers, but rather pose intelligent and necessary questions. They provide important facts to ponder and allow us, the readers, to think for ourselves. Ah, such a refreshing and respectful approach.

And finally, The Herbalists Way is beautifully written, poetic in its substance. Michael and Nancy interviewed herbalists across the country and used their words to paint pictures of the community herbalists of today. We are allowed glimpses into the lives of leading herb growers, medicine makers, and practitioners. We hear and learn from their tales, their experiences, and their often very spicy versions of what they feel the issues facing modern medicine and herbalists are today. Its a wonderful read, and it leaves one inspired, renewed, and invigorated.

In the last decade there have been a plethora of herb books flooding the marketplace. Some are good and find a spot on my heavily laden bookshelves, to be gleaned in future for bits of herbal information. Others are destined to gather dust, not worth the trees it took to produce them. And then there are thoseonly a few, a rare book here and therethat are destined to become herbal classics, treasured like old friends, thumbed through again and again for their depth of herbal wisdom, for their teachings, and for their inner brilliance that illuminates this ancient field of plant study. Michael and Nancy Phillips have created such a special and inspirational work.

ROSEMARY GLADSTAR

W e are like a couple of strong draft horses and sometimes one of us decides to go a differentway than the other one, but ultimately we cant, because we are yoked. After a little tuggingand pulling we get rolling together and make a good team.

S O BEGAN a letter Nancy wrote to a friend halfway into the writing of The Herbalists Way. She describes the tumult of a husband and wife collaboration quite well. Lord knows, she had a particularly ornery stallion to deal with at times. Yet now we have arrived at our journeys end, as evidenced by this book. We have quite a few people wed like to thank for helping us in this horseplay.

Our parents, for their enduring love and encouragement. Mom, Mom, and Dad, youre the best. Alan, you saved us from numerous computer glitches that continually defied our down-to-earth wisdom. Gracie, for surviving with such aplomb our daily tussle about having quiet time to write. Now you can play the piano all you want.