Los Remedios: Traditional Herbal Remedies of the Southwest

by Michael Moore, Mimi Kamp (Illustrator)

This book provides a wealth of information about herbal remedies native to the Southwest, infused with wisdom, wit, and personal reminiscences.

Genres: Medicine

120 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1990

About the author

Michael Moore (January 9, 1941 – February 20, 2009) was a medicinal herbalist, author of several reference works on botanical medicine, and founder of the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine (SWSBM). Before he was an herbalist Michael Moore was a musician and a composer. [1] He operated the SWSBM as a residency program for 28 years, first in Albuquerque, New Mexico and later in Bisbee, Arizona For decades, Moore influenced, impacted, taught, reached one way or another more practicing herbalists than any other living herbalist in the United States. His books put the previously unknown materia medica of the southwest into mainstream botanical medicine.

While Moore believed herbs and plants provided a natural way of treating many minor afflictions, he accepted that medical drugs should be used for serious illness.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[wheels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Working at Herbs Etc "Los Remedios" means more to me than ever. We carry many of the herbs in this book. They sit in big baskets with their Spanish names displayed, harvested by local wildcrafters. Michael Moore's legacy lives on here in Northern New Mexico - the legacy of traditional herbalism, grandmothers being able to access Escoba de la Vibora because they didn't seem to harvest enough this last late summer, herbs still taking the place of doctors - when many folks still have limited access to western medicine and either choose or must choose to manage their health with local remedies. This is: herbs and health care for the people! If you're an herbalist, have a passion for DIY health care, live in the Southwest, or just plain enjoy the way MM writes - I recommend this book.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had nice toxicity information (although it seems to be less cautious than I am) and usage information (although not as succinctly organized as the herb books I tend to like). I'd probably buy this if I was more interested in SW herbalism. As it is the few herbs I was interested in were better covered elsewhere. There also wasn't a good affliction to herb section like some other herb books have

[Kei · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tons of new things to potentially add to the toolbox.

Also good to have consumed some data regarding the more local traditions and knowledge.

[Joanne Rixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A basic but clear and well-organized encyclopedia of herbal remedies from the Sonoran region that will illuminate all those weird anecdotes you hear from your tias and tios.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michael Moore is a delight to read. He offers much information on his website and in his books. Humor is injected freely into his text, but his viewpoint on many herbs is that of someone who really does use them and knows what he's talking about. It's clear that he's confident in his approach, knowledgeable and, best of all, willing to share.

He tells four methods of collecting, followed by an intense listing of herbs and their actions. Each herb lists a great general reference guide - one of the more honest ones out there, making it a true favorite. On some of the herbs I would have liked the information to be a bit longer, but overall its an excellent job and a guide I'll keep returning to.

[Susanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moore is an excellent herbalist. His information is, as usual, good and clearly presented. Where this book failed for me was the tone. It is obviously written from the pov of an outsider and, while he seems to respect the people whose traditions he is writing about, one has the feeling that much was left out that didn't fit with his own world view.

Also, the binding on my copy was terribly shoddy - pages falling out right and left.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had nice toxicity information (although it seems to be less cautious than I am) and usage information (although not as succinctly organized as the herb books I tend to like). I'd probably buy this if I was more interested in SW herbalism. As it is the few herbs I was interested in were better covered elsewhere. There also wasn't a good affliction to herb section like some other herb books have