Nanise', A Navajo Herbal: One Hundred Plants from the Navajo Reservation

by Vernon O. Mayes, Barbara Bayless Lacy, Jack Ahasteen (Illustrator)

Nanise', A Navajo Herbal details 100 plants that are found on the Navajo Reservation, providing the reader with the Navajo name for each plant, as well as ways that the Navajos used them in everyday life, whether it be ceremonial, medicinal or household purposes -- complete with illustrations.

Genres: Nonfiction, Gardening

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Abigail L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nanise', A Navajo Herbal, beautifully unveils the rich botanical heritage of the Navajo people. Barbara Bayless Lacy and Vernon O. Mayes skillfully present a collection of 100 plants found on the Navajo Reservation, each with its Navajo name and purpose. The book's comprehensive illustrations and well-researched content provide valuable insights into how the Navajo community utilized these plants for ceremonial, medicinal, and daily household needs. I was captivated by the seamless blend of cultural knowledge and botanical expertise, making it an invaluable resource for anyone interested in Native American traditions and herbal medicine.

[MadameNovelist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed and respectful list of plants found on Navajo land. It was very interesting to read about their traditional medicinal and ritual uses. I appreciate that the authors used already gathered data and organized it in one place, but did not pry for new, exclusive information.

[Jamais · Rating 3 out of 5]

Knowing you herbs is always a good thing. //Nanise', A Navajo Herbal// has collected te plants found in the Navajo Reservation and their various medical, ceremonial, and household applications. There are detailed notes on each plant, be it tree, perennial, or otherwise, as well as color photographs on each. This is a great introduction to the plants of the Southwest, and a fascinating look at what they have been made to do.

Although an interesting book, it is nonetheless an introduction. The book is a brief introduction to each plant, without much of the mythology attached to them or any other real history, although some are given a brief attempt. Although the reasoning is sound, in that only a trained person should be dealing with these as medicines, and there are some great recipes at the end, overall it just feels like there could have been more detail added; although it would have made the book a lot thicker, this is just a taste of what is available on the plants in question. This is great book for those interested in seeing what is available, but bear in mind that this is just a delectable taste of what is available.

As written by Jamais Jochim for on http://sanfranciscobookreview.com/

[Hyrum Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super good book, has lots of interesting information including ethnobotanical uses of plants. It doesn't have all the plants but if you're curious about the plants of the Colorado Plateau you must read it.