The Complete Folk Herbal: An Illustrated Guide to Natural Remedies and Everyday Healing

by Rebecca Beyer

A definitive, beautifully illustrated guide to the rich folklore, history, and utility of wild herbs that are readily available across North America.

The Complete Folk Herbal is a comprehensive guide to Western folk herbalism designed to help you harness the natural medicinal and healing powers of wild plants. Experienced forager and ethnobotanist Rebecca Beyer offers an in-depth exploration of how plants can be used for medicine, ethical considerations in foraging, and the unique histories of these herbs. With easy-to-implement practices that are grounded in sustainability, she demonstrates how to work with plants to soothe everyday pains, including headaches, burns, backaches, menstrual pain, itching, insomnia, fatigue, and dozens of other minor ailments and maladies.

The Complete Folk Herbal provides an encyclopedic deep dive into nearly 100 North American herbs, flowers, and fruits—from agrimony to yellowroot. Each entry includes:

-ORIGINS: Where does the plant originate from?
-PHYSICAL APPEARANCE: What does the plant look like in the wild?
-TRADITIONAL USES: How was this plant used historically?
-MODERN USES: How can you work with this plant today?
-MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS: Recipes to make with the plant, including teas, decoctions, tinctures, balms, salves, and more.

While it’s true no single book will ever offer a complete picture of the herbal arts, The Complete Folk Herbal will help you refine your skills and begin a lifelong journey of herbal healing, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced herbalist.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Health, Witchcraft, Herbs, Gardening, Science

384 pages, Hardcover

Published October 7, 2025

Reviews

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received my copy free through GoodReads Giveaways.

It is hard to rate a book like this, as I haven't tried every recipe and tip. But a beautiful book that includes footnoted references.

[Ashley (scatteredthistle) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is an absolute must have if you're into herbalism. It has a beautiful cover and interior. It is very subdued and makes me want to break out the colored pencils which for me is also a plus. It has great introductory information to more detailed advanced things. There are worksheets in there that you can use to keep track of what you've harvested because we know we all harvest stuff and then forget what it is.......or maybe that's just me. We have a great worksheet for figuring out tincture ratios as well as pages and pages full of different herbs, how to use them and a recipe at the end of each herb page. I was excited to see a page about Kudzu. I had no idea that it was medicinal. Someone needs to come down to Florida and get it off all the trees.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautiful herbalism guide explains how to harvest herbs and then turn them into teas, tinctures, salves, and other remedies. Each herb has a detailed description, explaining its origins, appearance, properties, taste, what it’s used for, and more. Because this can be used as a reference book (that’s how I’ll be using it), I wish there was thorough index for symptoms.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for an honest review, and while I am pleased, I have it and will keep it for reference, I find that this book is incomplete. like my other books I have. it would ve nice yo know to what extent we shouldn't take or make something if we have a medical condition. to elaborate is key to enforcing more knowledge. also, it would be interesting to have allergic sections so we know if we can take while on medications.
I am still grateful to have this book, but I notice I dont reach for it as often as my other books on the same topics.
I still recommend this book to those who are interested in alternative therapies.