A guided exploration of herbal lore and healing plants found in yards, forests, meadows, and hedgerows• Draws on traditional knowledge and remedies from around the world, including Native American, Celtic, and Egyptian traditions• Provides simple recipes to safely make herbal remedies from local plants and honey for first aid, immune support, and treatment of common ailments• Details the "triangle" formula-making system of William LeSassier• Explains how to work with plant spirits, herbal astrology, and Animal Spirit MedicineWeaving together ancient wisdom, mystical folklore, and modern plant research, master herbalist Ellen Evert Hopman explores the many uses of flowers, trees, common weeds, and ornamental plants for food, medicine, spiritual growth, and magical rituals. She reveals the herbal lore surrounding each plant, drawing on traditional knowledge and remedies from around the world, including Native American, Celtic, and Egyptian traditions. She includes recipes throughout so you can make medicines from wild and domesticated plants easily found in yards, forests, meadows, and hedgerows, and she discusses what to plant to ensure you have leaves, berries, and flowers all year.The author reveals how to quickly intuit an unknown plant's properties using the signatures of plants--universal indications and contraindications based on the form, color, and location of a plant. She includes an in-depth section on honey and Bee Medicine, allowing you to appreciate the labors of these plant-dependent insects. Exploring the magical role of herbs in ancient ritual, Hopman provides recipes for Egyptian temple incense and their sacred medicine known as "Kyphi" or "Kaphet," used to purify the body, banish insomnia, and promote vivid dreaming. She explores shamanic Plant Spirit and Animal Spirit Medicine as well as herbal astrology. She also explains the "triangle" formula-making system of her herbal mentor William LeSassier to help you develop custom herbal remedies tailored to a person's unique strengths and weaknesses.Showing how to easily incorporate wild plants into your life to receive their healing benefits throughout the seasons, Hopman reveals the power of the bounty that Mother Nature has provided right at our doorstep.

Author's Note on How to Use This Book Foreword by Matthew Wood Acknowledgments INTRODUCTION Walking the Green Path--An Herbalist Discovers Her Calling PART ONE A WILDCRAFTING PRIMIER 1 The Signatures of Plants--Learning Nature's Alphabet 2 Herbs of Spring 3 Herbs of Summer 4 Herbs of Fall 5 Winter Cold and Flu Care, Naturally! 6 Bug Stuff--Plants to Repel Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Fleas PART TWO EXPLORING INVISIBLE DIMENSIONS OF THE PLANT WORLD 7 Magic of the Dragon and the Hag--Dracaena and Mullein 8 Animal Spirit Medicines 9 Herbal Astrology 10 Working with Plant Spirits PART THREE ENJOYING NATURE'S BOUNTY 11 Bee Medicine--The Splendors of Honey 12 Some Kitchen Medicines 13 Hedgerows Are Food, Medicine, and Magic 14 Deciduous Trees for Healing 15 Conifers for Healing PART FOUR FORMULA MAKING 16 General Formulas--From Tinctures to Poultices 17 Constitutional Prescribing--Plants to Build, Cleanse, and Tone the Organs and Systems of the Body Glossary of Herbal Contraindications Sources and Resources Index of Plants by Common Name Index of Plants by Scientific Name Index of Health Concerns General Index