Midwest Medicinal Plants

Midwest Medicinal Plants is a gorgeous book, encyclopedia really, of a variety of herbs that can be harvested in the Midwest. Very knowledgeable information and beautiful full color photos of each plant. The book also includes recipes, crafts and a variety of ways to use the plants.

Pretty concise as far as I can tell. I have all but given up on most medical doctors for treatment of minor ailments and have been trying various natural remedies with varying results. Thought I'd take a look through this book and see what I can use. Lots of info and the photos are really helpful! I look forward to searching for some of these this summer and fall.

I began my natural products journey when I started being sensitive to perfumes, so I sought out essential oils. But they were expensive and difficult to come by, plus there is controversy on the use of oils internally. Then I began researching herbs, and I learned so much! But what bothered me about all the herbs I read about was that I didn’t live in India, I live in Indiana. An herb that thrives in India is not likely to thrive in Indiana. My husband is involved with emergency management, and disaster planning is often a topic in our house. I realized how UN-sustainable essential oils and exotic herbs are. I don’t have the tools to distill my own oils or proper conditions to grow some of those herbs. But when I looked at the lush Indiana woodlands and prairies around me, I knew that beneficial herbs had to exist here. I knew a little about plantain, dandelion, and clover, but not much else. (How I regretted not talking to my grandfather about all his herbal wisdom before he died almost two decades ago!)

When I was given the opportunity to review this book on NetGalley, I had high hopes! And I am happy to say this book does not disappoint. As I flipped through the book, I recognized almost all the “weeds” that I saw, most of which I had never known the names of or uses for before. I found the author’s advice prudent, cautious, and respectful. I took my iPad out and spent an afternoon wandering along the fence row surrounding a cow pasture near our house, then wandered down by the creek, up the hill to the stand of trees, and along the road back home. I felt like I was being introduced to old friends for the first time. I found it comforting that the author actually lives and works here in the Midwest (Michigan), so she does actually know what she’s talking about and appreciates the beauty of the Midwest.

This book is exactly what I was looking for to move my herbal knowledge along. Should disaster ever strike, I now have a ready tool in my arsenal to keep my family healthy. In fact, I loved the book so much, I bought my own copy to keep. Just the E-book for now, but later, the printed version – just in case disaster strikes and I can’t recharge my iPad.

I gratefully received an e-ARC from the author, publisher, and NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review. But like I said, I bought the book. It’s that good.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book last year and it was deleted before I got to finish it or review it. What I did like, I liked so much that I asked for it for Christmas so I could properly read it and have a permanent copy. It is now one of my favorite foraging books and one that I refer to all the time. I absolutely love it and highly recommend it. I brought it with me on my trip to visit friends in Nebraska last week and referred to it often as we went on nature walks and foraging expeditions.

I'll be reviewing it in more depth soon on our family foraging/sustainable living blog at http://magicalchildhood.com/life/.

Great information for those looking to heal using using natural remedies and healing plants but not knowing the basics of it all. Excellent read, and not too technical either.