The Earthwise Herbal Repertory: The Definitive Practitioner's Guide

by Matthew Wood, David Ryan (Contributor)

Discover the healing applications of a wide variety of medicinal plants with this first comprehensive herbal repertory from an internationally known herbalist   Expert herbalist Matthew Wood takes the guesswork out of the application of medicinal plants. Here, he provides an invaluable cross-reference of constitutional types, energetic categories, and specific systems—so herbalists can more easily identify the right remedies for a specific condition. Unlike many reference books in which medicinal plants are defined simply by condition or disease name, this book offers tools for differentiating between remedies and analyzing each case in a holistic fashion. While this system of cross-referencing is well known to homeopaths, it is less frequently used by herbalists.   The Earthwise Herbal Repertory seeks to bridge the gap between different healing systems, incorporating knowledge from ancient Greek and traditional Native American medicine, nineteenth-century botanical medicine, homeopathy, and modern biomedical research. This definitive repertory proves useful for homeopaths and herbalists, professionals and home practitioners alike.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Herbs, Reference, Nature

449 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 11, 2016

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Matthew Wood has been a practicing herbalist since 1982. In a period when many authors and lecturers are merely "arm chair herbalists" who offer theories and opinions based on book learning, and others have turned to the exotic traditions of India or China, he has been an active practitioner of traditional Western herbalism. He has helped tens of thousands of clients over the years, with many difficult health problems. While Matthew believes in the virtue of many other healing modalities, he has always been inspired to learn, preserve, and practice the tradition of herbal medicine descending to us from our European, Anglo-American, and Native American heritage. He is a member of the American Herbalists Guild (registered herbalist) and has earned his Masters of Science degree from the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine (accredited by the University of Wales).

Matthew has lectured in all parts of the United States, from Georgia to Maine, New York to California, and Santa Fe to Sperryville, Virginia. He has also taught in Canada, Scotland, England, and Australia. He is known throughout the world as an excellent teacher of herbal medicine. He is also the author of four acclaimed books on herbal medicine, published by North Atlantic Books, in Berkeley, CA:

Seven Herbs, Plants as Teachers (1987)
Vitalism, The History of Herbalism, Homeopathy, and Flower Essences, originally entitled The Magical Staff (1993)
The Book of Herbal Wisdom (1998)
The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism (2004)

Reviews

[Sabbatha Bastet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended to anyone serious about learning plant medicines. This is a thorough reference book. It’s categorized by illness or condition. The Latin names of the plants are often used so it’s important to be familiar with those or have cross references nearby. No pretty botanical pictures in this if that’s what you’re looking for. There are New World and Old World companion books that are excellent but not necessary to gain knowledge from this book.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an essential book for the modern herbal healer. It looks at things in such a profound way, and is a treasure trove of information. I have used it to improve my own health and it's been very worth the purchase. I will say it is for the intermediate to advanced practitioner. It's not a first herbal book. It needs to be used in tandem with other sources as a cross-reference.

[Veronika Vasileva · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a reference book for practitioners - i.e. repertory. The introductory sections were interesting and insightful. I will check some of his other books for more 'narrative' overview than a reference guide.

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Waaaaay above my head. Very specific, and so useful for the more advanced herbalist.