*Thanks to Zeitgeist Publishing for the free/gifted book.*

As someone new to the idea of Kitchen Witchery and herbal medicine, I found this informative and encouraging. I like that the author recommends starting small and discusses common issues around sourcing herbs. The layout of the book is good, enhancing its usefulness as a reference guide. My main complaint is the repetitiveness. I’m not sure how much is an abundance of caution, poor editing, or legal CYA, but by the mid-point of the book I was internally screaming “yes, yes, consult a medical or herbal professional. I GET IT!”

I've been growing herbs for a while and looking for alternatives to using herbs in medicine. This book has information on recipes and uses for their recipes. I wish they would have created more single-use recipes and dove more into growing, but I get that you can't have everything in a book. If you're new to herbal medicine this book is a great resource.

As we age and society finds more and more drugs that do more harm than good, it's easier to learn how herbals can help with so many fewer complications. I've lived in rural areas for many years and continue to learn which plants are benficial to my family, including my assortment of pets. Ruth Blanding has written a comprehensive guide that not only provides information, she includes the dos and don'ts of this age old practice. The book is written in an easy to understand and cross reference information that will start the beginner or add to the knowledge of those like me looking to fill gaps in my knowledge. This book should be shared and kept handy as a reference to everyday questions of safety and effiency.

Book Review: Herbal Medicine for Modern Life by Ruth Blanding

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hey everyone! I just finished reading Herbal Medicine for Modern Life: Traditional Folk Remedies for Everyday Health and Well-Being by Ruth Blanding, and I couldn't wait to share my thoughts. If you're someone who's ever felt overwhelmed by modern health solutions (like I have), this book is definitely worth checking out.

From the get-go, Blanding emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with nature and the wisdom that comes from traditional plant medicine. In our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to overlook the power of herbs that have been used for centuries to address common ailments. This book serves as a guide for using those ancient remedies to tackle modern health issues such as anxiety, allergies, and hormonal imbalances.

One of the standout features of the book is the comprehensive introduction. It offers great insights into how to effectively use herbs as medicine, alongside necessary advice and warnings from Blanding herself. This makes it perfectly suitable for newcomers to herbalism. I appreciated how she broke down the complex processes of making herbal remedies into simple, approachable steps. The recipes for infusions, tinctures, syrups, and balms are not only easy to follow but also require ingredients that are often found right in our kitchens or local markets.

The book goes into detail about more than 35 medicinal plants, complete with stunning photographs and descriptions of their healing properties. This is where Blanding shines, as she combines her expertise with a touch of warmth, making the reader feel empowered to explore herbalism without the intimidation often associated with it.

I found myself particularly captivated by how relevant these remedies are to our everyday health concerns. Allergies? Check. Stress? You bet. The real treat is that most of these herbs are easily accessible and can be incorporated into your daily routine with little fuss.

So if you’re curious about how to bring herbal medicine into your life, I highly recommend Herbal Medicine for Modern Life. It’s a clear, engaging, and informative read that stands out in the wellness genre. Whether you're a seasoned herbalist or just starting out, this book is a fantastic addition to any bookshelf. Just trust me—grab a copy and start nurturing your health with nature’s gifts!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

**Herbal Medicine for Modern Life** by Ruth Blanding is a comprehensive guide to herbs and their medicinal uses for everyday people.

To be honest, I didn’t have high expectations for this book and thought it would be like others I’ve read. However, I was blown away once I saw the table of contents. The author has done an outstanding job of not only teaching the historical uses of herbal medicine but also demonstrating how to apply them in modern contexts.

This book covers topics such as:
- Understanding herbal remedies
- Folk medicine
- Herbal medicine
- Application methods
- A list of common herbs
- A guide to herbal preparations and their use for ailments like unhealthy air, excessive sitting, digital fatigue, toxic overload, general fatigue, fever, and headaches.

I definitely recommend this book!

This book is a fanstic reference! I will definitely be getting this in physical form. I love that it included many common ailments as well as specialized ones like Fibromyalgia, which is what I have. Will definitely be trying out things from this book.

While a very pretty, well written book, its not one I would recommend to fellow herbalists. The information in it is trying too hard to give to beginners (you don't need that many herbs in one recipes, you don't need that many herbs starting out at all, and you would do better with a grasp on a handful of local to you herbs than a pantry full of exotic import herbs you barely grasp how to use) and the intermediate herbalist doesn't really need the regurgitation of every other herbal book out there. I was hoping for something different but this didn't quite stand up to that hope.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this book!

I liked this book and would happily add it to my collection of books on herbs. I like that it has herbs that I’m already familiar with and have easy access to and gives more information on how to make them work for my health.

I have quite a few of the chronic illnesses that are covered in this book so this will be a great resource to have in my collection! I love learning about natural remedies to help heal the body, whether it’s teas, tinctures, balms, or other forms, and there are many recipes in this book that I will definitely be trying out

This is a nice herbal book that has the main drawbacks of most of the thousands of modern herbal books. It does have some basic information and some photos and recipes, but it has very vague information about each herb and then a recipe section that calls for lots of ingredients for each remedy. There is no information about growing and foraging the herbs, what zones they grow in, where you can find them in the wild. There’s no information on how to use them effectively as a single preparation, which is one of the wonderful things about herbs. They should be easy to use and information should be about each one on its own. Herbs have been part of my daily life for decades and they are the primary source of healing for our family. You don’t need 8 ingredients in a complicated recipe if you have an ailment. Some of the mainstays of our herbal shelves are elderberry tincture (dried elderberries steeped long term in vodka) or elderberry syrup for the kids (dried elderberries, honey, water), nettle tea (nettles, water), elderflower tea, hawthorn tincture, rose hip powder, motherwort tincture, or even just a plantain leaf poultice in the field if one of us gets stung by a wasp (chew a leaf briefly and put it on the sting, relief comes in a couple of minutes). There are so many, and they are simple and abundant. We forage 80% of what we use, and I really believe that there are local helpful remedies growing wherever we are. Here in Minnesota there is a plant with similar properties to one used in Asia, for instance. This book will be a hit with novices and it is just as good as any other modern herbal book, but honestly I would stick with one of the books by the grandmother of herbs, Rosemary Gladstar, and learn the benefits of the plants that grow near you. All that said, it is a perfectly good modern herbal book as the name promises.

I read a temporary digital loan of this book for review.

I absolutely loved "Herbal Medicine for Modern Life, by Ruth Blanding. She introduces us to different herbs and plants and how to use them in a easy and straight forward way. The book is perfect for those new to natural medicine, and experienced users alike. You will be able to start using it with confidence immediately to begin improving your health. I am looking forward to purchasing a copy for myself as soon as it hits the market.

As someone who has a multitude of health problems and keeps being given western medications (currently on 10 tablets a day!), I’ve been looking into how the natural world can help my body. So when finding this book, I was instantly intrigued. I really felt like the author is knowledgable (I have learnt a few things), knew how to make everything interesting and I didn’t feel bogged down with the recipes. Everything felt natural and easy for a beginner to use and you only needed a few utensils along the way. Safe to say I will be purchasing this book to help heal my body.

This book contains incredibly useful and practical information on various herbs, spices, weeds, and other plants that can be applied in many different ways. The author explains each plant in detail and describes what each is used for medicinally or ethnobotanically, as well as herbal folk remedies. There are numerous recipes for ailments, including breathing issues, reproductive issues, hormonal issues, and gastrointestinal issues. The author also discusses the different methods of preparation for the plants. I would recommend this book be added to our library collection, and look forward to purchasing a copy of this book myself.

Herbal Medicine for Modern Life is a compelling and accessible guide for anyone interested in integrating herbal remedies into their daily routine. This book stands out for its clarity and ease of use, making it a valuable addition to any bookshelf.

The author's approach to herbal medicine is both practical and informative, offering readers straightforward instructions and useful tips. The organization of the book ensures that even those new to herbal medicine can follow along with confidence, while more experienced practitioners will appreciate the depth of information provided.

I found the book to be a fantastic resource for quick consultations, making it an excellent reference for daily use. Its well-structured content and practical advice are sure to benefit anyone looking to enhance their understanding of herbal medicine.

I would like to say thanks for providing an Advanced Reader's Copy.

One of my favorites in my herbal med book collection! The book is easy to go back through to find the information I’m looking for and the recipes are going to be very beneficial and simple to make.

There are so many helpful things in here to guide you into using herbal medicine for easy fixes, and also some not so easy fixes,

NetGalley Review

This! This has to be one of the best herbal book I’ve come across in a while. From the lay out, the in depth details to giving important substance to to the pages in this book. I was not left with questions, she answered them all with in the pages of this book. Covered so many basic and advanced material, creating an inclusive for the reader at any level.

Highly recommend this to everyone interested in herbal medicine

Very honest and open herbal medicine book. Truly a good beginner's guide to herbalism while being a great reference book for the more experienced.

I am amazed and glad to see an herbalism guidebook that not only acknowledges modern science/medicine but also acknowledges indigenous cultures and being mindful of how herbalism use impacts both. So refreshing to see an explanation of what herbs are considered sacred to several indigenous cultures and how the increased interest in herbalism has created not just cultural but ecological problems as well. This book is very good at spelling out the basics in simple but well formatted facts.

Not only does it offer clear non-judgmental explanations but it has a great run down of how to safely shop, store, and mix herbs. It covers a nice A to Z list of major common household herbs and spices, what they are useful for, how to use, and most importantly who should avoid based on health/medical issues. I love seeing the safety warnings given just as much space as the other explanations.

The recipe guide in the back third of the book offers some great basic easy to make teas/tisanes, and even some fun unexpected items like a healthy pesto recipe complete with dietary substitution options! I will be giving some of these recipes a try!

Overall would recommend to anyone interested in herbalism, from beginners to old hats who may need a refresher. Especially good for anyone who wants to give herbalism a try but has been scared off by certain types of books that put a negative emphasis on modern medicine/science.

The clean modern aesthetics really ties this book together into a top tier option.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zeitgeist for allowing me to read a lovely ARC copy.

An insightful book about the benefits of various herbs. I loved the detailed research and the concerns relating to overuse of the herbs. This is a book I'd come to regularly to try and incorporate more spices and herbs in my diet.

I was hoping it would be mostly herbal recipes but it was more reference on how to go about getting started in herbal medicine.