Southern Folk Medicine: Healing Traditions from the Appalachian Fields and Forests

by Phyllis D. Light, Rosemary Gladstar (Foreword), Matthew Wood (Afterword)

This practical and easy-to-understand guide to the plant wisdom of Southern and Appalachian folk medicine reveals the history and practices of this unique herbal tradition
 
This book is the first to describe the history, folklore, assessment methods, and remedies of Southern and Appalachian Folk Medicine—the only system of folk medicine, other than Native American, that developed in the United States. One of the system's last active practitioners, Phyllis D. Light has studied and worked with herbs, foods, and other healing techniques for more than thirty years. In everyday language, she explains how Southern and Appalachian Folk Medicine was passed down orally through the generations by herbalists and healers who cared for people in their communities with the natural tools on hand.
 
Drawing from Greek, Native American, African, and British sources, this uniquely American folk medicine combines what is useful and practical from many traditions to create an energetic system that is coherent and valuable today.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Herbs, Spirituality, Plants, History, Medicine

278 pages, Paperback

Published January 16, 2018

Reviews

[Bon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Apparently in the minority here, but I found this...well, not so much a handbook or compendium as I hoped for, but nearly 300 pages of rambling anecdotes of little use or interest to me, very general overviews, and oodles of Christian and biblical references. This was not at all what I thought I was getting as I hunted for a copy and spent way more than I should have on it, lol. Completely disappointed.

[Peg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very informative, not only on the history of southern folk medicine, but also of those who have continued this practice. It looks at other folk medicines in comparison and contrast along with the progression it has made working along side modern medicine. It really helped me see where these 'home remedies' originate from. While this form of medicine may not be for everyone, this book will definitely give you the background, the insight and the basis of understanding the principles of folk medicine.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a student of Phyllis Light, I am so excited that she has put her work (and the long tradition it is part of) into book form. She is an excellent story teller... And, her insights into the human body-mind-spirit are steeped in her experience as an herbalist and the folk tradition of medicine she practices. Truly, anyone can benefit from this book...but I think its an absolute "must have" for anyone in Appalachia or the Deep South.

[Josephine Ensign · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written with long, meandering, mostly pointless stories interspersed with folk medicine advice of dubious value.

[Deatra Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. Phyllis draws the reader in from the very beginnings with stories from her own life around the healing plants. Reading history through the lens of healing and healers feels so much more real and meaningful than what can be found in textbooks or classrooms. There is so much to be learned here: how present day Appalachian folk practices evolved over the history of this region; how people from different cultures who were all oppressed helped each other to heal from illness and to keep healthy in spite of the hardships imposed upon them; which plants are important to these entangled traditions are just some of the fascinating and eye-opening parts of this book. And the questionnaire at the end was amazingly accurate in its ability to help me understand my own constitution. Reading this book was a confirmation that we can and do help one another to heal ourselves, each other, and, by extension, gives me hope that we can and will honor and heal this world as well.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting stories. Only gave 4 stars to this one simply because the book went too into detail over some of the humors, personality types, etc. Would rather read more experiences with southern folk medicine than medical terms.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the different approaches to herbalism, this one felt the most natural to me. All have merit but we must work within a system that we can connect to well. Love the blending of story, history, and herb info.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is more of a meta-overview of southern folk medicine, describing some history and the tenants and concepts of this tradition. She describes the humorous constitutions, fluids, and elements, and she has general or recommendations for constitutions.

[Jenny Giarratano · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful compilation of history and health information written in an engaging way. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to examine factors contributing to their health and wellness through the lens of time-proven wisdom.

[Hannah Evelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

My perception of this book going in was that it would chronicle herbal medicine and remedies that originated in the South and the Appalachian region. While it did to an extent, I felt like it was more biographical, which wasn't what I was looking for.

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful and informative book. This book was well written and I look forward to reading more books by this author. I won this book through a giveaway on Goodreads website.

[Constance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank You Phyllis D. Light for this introduction to Southern Fold Medicine. The south is a place of excitement and wonder to those with the luck to travel there. Enjoyable read.

[Erica Kemp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light tells the history of the people I come from unlike anyone I've ever read. My own grandmother was a "medicine woman" who practiced the very same folk-medicine within 100 miles of where Light grew up.

A fantastic book to help outsiders understand this region of the world and a lovely primer on the foundations that create this healing tradition.

You will not become an herbalist by reading this book, and that is not its intent. Light offers online classes if you would like to pursue the subject further.

[Dawn Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fresh transplant to Northeast Alabama, a newbie to country life, and a novice in the herb garden, I really enjoyed this book. It felt like many of the conversations I have day-to-day in my new space: a friendly welcome into an unfamiliar world, a few nuggets of really good information, plenty of practical tips mixed with some nonsense that you don't really know if you're expected to take seriously, a whole lot of pride in the culture, and plenty of humor and warmth to bring you back for more.

[Weslyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I throughly enjoyed reading this book and learning the foundations for Southern Folk Medicine. The only thing I was dissatisfied with was the amount of herbal remedies. I thought they would take up more than just a paragraph here and there. Regardless of that, I still enjoyed the book and would read it again.

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really interesting book on how herbalism and culture intersects. If you're looking for an herbal guide, not for you. It's a combo of stories of herbalism in Southern folk culture, in Appalachia, in her personal history, anecdotes. Interesting, meandering, the kind of book to read in a hammock while drinking iced lemon balm tea in the shade on a summer day.

[Debra Leigh Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book you buy and read through and keep as a reference. This is a compendium of the traditional medicine practices, the healing practices of the Appalachian region(s) of the U.S., which are a blend of indigenous practices, African practices, mountain practices, Scots-Irish traditional medicine practices....and it is really useful reading.

[Lady Saga · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been going back and forth on buying "Southern Folk Medicine: Healing Traditions from the Appalachian Fields and Forest" because I am not exactly in that area and I wasn't sure if it was just another "folk medicine" book. By chance, I found a copy at our local library and checked it out. I really enjoyed the book and decided that it is worth it to purchase it.

[Mary Nee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book was well written and very informative.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Does not have many monographs

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I now have a much better understanding of what Folk medicine is. I love this book.

[angie tschopp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most informative.

[Ashley Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of herbs and ailments