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.

This book was wonderful! The amount of research that was put into it and the amount of amazing information in it!

I collect books on herbalism and Herbal Medicine for Modern Life is one of the best books on the subject I’ve seen in a while. I am delighted by how intuitively this book is laid out. It truly feels accessible to anyone moving through modern life interested in including herbalism into their daily care. The recipes are actually delicious, which makes ALL the difference in incorporating herbs into our lives. The information presented feels accessible and in depth. This book definitely belongs in my collection! Highly recommended!

Herbal Medicine for Modern Life is a great introduction to different herbs, their uses, and how to integrate them into your life for maxim benefit. Ruth Blanding's easy approach to getting to know different herbs is very helpful when trying to learn more in an informative way. Blanding's identification of an herbs qualities, plant family, medicinal parts, uses, preparations, and considerations/warnings are all explored, as well as reasons she likes that particular herb.

There are a lot of fun recipes in Herbal Medicine for Modern Life that I think would be fairly accessible to the average person dabbling in herbal medicine - such as 'low blood pressure tea' or a 'rosacea-soothing cream'. Some of the recipes included herbs I am not familiar with and would probably have a more difficult time finding. These include feverfew leaf, oatstraw leaf, and elecampane root. For the motivated herbalist, this book would be a wonderful companion! For a more casual herbalist, you can definitely find enjoyment and this would give you some good background knowledge and ideas, but you might find some of the remedies to be a bit too much of an involved process.

Thank you to NetGalley, Zeitgeist, and the author Ruth Blanding for an ARC of Herbal Medicine for Modern Life in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you, Zeitgeist, for the ARC.

This is such a wholesome helpful informative read on herbal medicine. The book comes with a comprehensive introduction on how to make the best use of herbs as medicine but also comes with appropriate advice and warnings from the expert/author.

The book describes in depth regarding various preparations and processes on traditional medicine regarding many modern health problems including allergies, hormonal issues, mental health issues.

Just get this book as most of these herbs are commonly found and used in our homes. The real high quality pictures in the book really help!

Another great production from the publication team!