The Herbalist’s Bookshelf: My Growing Collection for Exploring Natural Healing

By Cade Shadowlight

Subscribe by email (Follow.It link)—stay in the rebel loop.

Herbalism (article link) is something I’ve been diving into lately, though I’m nowhere near calling myself a true herbalist yet. It’s a journey, and I’m skeptical of quick fixes or overhyped claims—just like many of you. For those curious about natural remedies or questioning mainstream medical narratives, here’s a peek at my herbalist bookshelf so far. (Pics at the bottom!) Got suggestions for other books or resources? Drop them in the comments below—thanks!

My Herbalism Bookshelf

1. The Green Pharmacy: The Ultimate Compendium of Natural Remedies from the World’s Foremost Authority on Healing Herbs
   By James A. Duke, Ph.D. A comprehensive guide packed with practical remedies from a leading expert. Covers herbs for everything from colds to chronic conditions. Amazon Link
2. Native American Herbalist’s Bible [20 in 1]: Herbal Remedies, Guide to Rediscovering Ancient Natural Remedies
   A deep dive into indigenous herbal wisdom, with guides on growing herbs, creating remedies, and building your own apothecary. Perfect for those wary of modern pharma. Amazon Link
3. Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide: 33 Healing Herbs to Know, Grow, and Use
   A beginner-friendly intro by a renowned herbalist. Covers key herbs, their uses, and how to grow them. Simple and practical. Amazon Link
4. Herbal Medic: A Green Beret’s Guide to Emergency Medical Preparedness and Natural First Aid
   By Sam Coffman. A no-nonsense guide from a former Green Beret and clinical herbalist. Focuses on herbal first aid for when professional care isn’t an option. Amazon Link
5. Grow Your Own Drugs: Easy Recipes for Natural Remedies and Beauty Fixes
   By James Wong. Fun and accessible, this book offers recipes for remedies and beauty products using plants you can grow yourself. Amazon Link
6. The Herb Bible
   By Jennie Harding. Currently out of print, but used copies are still available. A solid reference for herbal properties and uses. Check the Amazon Marketplace for deals. Amazon Link
7. Foods That Harm, Foods That Heal: What to Eat to Beat Disease and Live Longer
   By Reader’s Digest. Not strictly herbalism, but it explores how diet impacts health, which aligns with holistic healing. Great for skeptics of processed food industries. Amazon Link
8. Medicinal Plants of North America: A Field Guide (Falcon Guide)
   By Jim Meuninck. A portable guide for identifying and using medicinal plants in the wild. Useful for foragers and off-grid enthusiasts. Amazon Link
9. Mushrooming Without Fear: The Beginner’s Guide to Collecting Safe and Delicious Mushrooms
   By Alexander Schwab. A beginner’s guide to safely foraging mushrooms. I have the softcover, but there’s a newer hardcover edition (I’m not sure about differences). Softcover Amazon Link | Hardcover Amazon Link
10. Peterson Field Guide to Medicinal Plants & Herbs of Eastern & Central North America: Third Edition
    By Steven Foster and James A. Duke. A detailed field guide for identifying medicinal plants. A must-have for serious herbalists. Amazon Link
11. Peterson Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: Eastern/Central North America
    By Lee Allen Peterson and Roger Tory Peterson. Focuses on edible wild plants, complementing herbalism with foraging knowledge. Amazon Link

Bonus: Start Your Own Medicinal Herb Garden

If you’re ready to grow your own herbs, check out the Ultimate Medicinal Herbs Collection – 36 Variety Pack of Herb Seeds. It includes non-GMO, heirloom seeds for healing plants, perfect for homesteaders or anyone wanting to take control of their health. Amazon Link

What’s Next?

This is just the start of my herbalism journey. I’m digging into these books to separate fact from fluff and build practical skills. If you’ve got favorite herbalism books, foraging guides, or seed sources, let me know in the comments. I’m all ears for anything that holds up to scrutiny!