Favorite Herbal Medicine Books to Keep on the Shelf

One of the members of our community asked if anyone had a list of books that would be good for new herbalists to read through. I decided to compile a list of books that are both my favorites, my go-to’s, and a few that are on my wishlist (but highly recommended by others).

I am sure this list will be a work-in-progress as I read more and find nuggets of truth sprinkled in the works of many great herbalists.

Is your favorite not on the list?  Message me and let me know!

Please note: Some of the books contain questionable and/or offensive content. Please use judgement and discernment as you study any of the books on this list.  Links are Amazon affiliate links.

Herbal Textbooks

• Southern Folk Medicine: Healing Traditions from the Appalachian Fields and Forests by Phyllis D. Light
• The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism: Basic Doctrine, Energetics, and Classification by Matthew Wood
• The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to New World Medicinal Plants by Matthew Wood
• The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants by Matthew Wood
• Foundational Herbcraft by jim mcdonald
• Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine by David Hoffman
• Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy: Modern Herbal Medicine, 2e by Kerry Bone and Simon Mills
• Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide: 33 Healing Herbs to Know, Grow, and Use by Rosemary Gladstar
• Herbal Constituents: Foundations of Phytochemistry by Lisa Ganora
• Medicinal Mushrooms: The Essential Guide: Boost Immunity, Improve Memory, Fight Cancer, Stop Infection, and Expand Your Consciousness by Christopher Hobbs
• Holistic Cancer Care: An Herbal Approach to Reducing Cancer Risk, Helping Patients Thrive during Treatment, and Minimizing Recurrence by Chanchal Cabrera

Specific Herbal Actions

• Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief, 2e by David Winston
• Adaptogens in Medical Herbalism: Elite Herbs and Natural Compounds for Mastering Stress, Aging, and Chronic Disease by Donnie Yance
• The Wild Medicine Solution: Healing with Aromatic, Bitter, and Tonic Plants by Guido Mase
• Herbal Antibiotics, 2nd Edition: Natural Alternatives for Treating Drug-resistant Bacteria by Stephen Buhner
• Herbal Antivirals: Natural Remedies for Emerging & Resistant Viral Infections by Stephen Buhner

Herbal Medicine for Women

• Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health, 2e by Aviva Romm

Herbal Medicine for Children

• Naturally Healthy Babies and Children: A Commonsense Guide to Herbal Remedies, Nutrition, and Health by Aviva Romm
• Herbal Healing for Children by Demetria Clark
• The ABC Herbal: A Simplified Guide to Natural Health Care for Children by Steve Horne

Herbal Safety

• The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety by Kerry Bone and Simon Mills
• Botanical Safety Handbook, Second Edition by American Herbal Products Association
• Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals 2e by Robert Tisserand

Herbal Medicine Making

• The Herbal Medicine-Maker’s Handbook: A Home Manual by James Green
• Making Plant Medicine by Richo Cech
• Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health: 175 Teas, Tonics, Oils, Salves, Tinctures, and Other Natural Remedies for the Entire Family by Rosemary Gladstar
• The Modern Herbal Dispensatory: A Medicine-Making Guide by Thomas Easley and Steve Horne

Botany

• Botany in a Day: The Patterns Method of Plant Identification, 6e by Thomas Elpel
• Peterson Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs of Eastern and Central North America, Third Edition (Peterson Field Guides) by Stephen Foster and James Duke
• Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide by Lawrence Newcomb
• Plant Identification Terminology: An Illustrated Glossary by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris

Growing Herbs

• Self-Sufficient Herbalism: A Guide to Growing, Gathering and Processing Herbs for Medicinal Use by Lucy Jones
• The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer, Revised Edition: How to Produce High-Quality Herbs on a Market Scale by Jeff and Melanie Carpenter
• Growing Plant Medicine by Richo Cech

History of Herbal Medicine

• Green Pharmacy: The History and Evolution of Western Herbal Medicine by Barbara Griggs