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The Homesteader's Herbal Companion: The Ultimate Guide to Growing, Preserving, and Using Herbs
The Homesteader's Herbal Companion is a beautiful guide for the modern day homesteader. From learning how to incorporate herbs and essential oils around your home, to learning how to enhance your family's health and well-being, this book is the go-to guide for those wishing to live a more natural homesteading lifestyle. This book takes readers through the basics of herbalism, including the different types of herbs and the uses for them around the homestead. It also breaks down how herbs are used in tinctures, salves, essential oils, and infused oils. Better yet, if you're a homesteader with livestock, you'll learn how to maintain their health holistically as well. With an array of beautiful photos and easy to read terminology, just about any homesteader, new or seasoned, can learn from The Homesteader's Herbal Companion, and finally feel comfortable incorporating the many wonderful qualities of herbs around their homes.
320 pages, Paperback
Published April 15, 2018
101 people are currently reading
461 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 5, 2023
I'm pretty sure this author got her start in "herbalism" from an Essential Oils MLM. The author has not learned from/apprenticed to any herbalists. She read books, googled and "did her own research" to compile this book, but at no time was advised by any certified/educated herbalist. She prescribes practices that truly educated practitioners of herbal medicine would deem extremely harmful and unsafe.
As anyone who wants to learn more about traditional herbal medicine knows, there is SO MUCH to know. And it is vital to learn from someone who ACTUALLY knows what they are talking about, who has learned from the generations before them, who have studied in communities and participated in apprenticeships. Because it IS medicine, and I am sorry, but I would never take advice from an MD who just read some books and Googled their way to their degree. So WHY would I do this with herbal medicine? Learning from actual practitioners, not "homesteaders" with a computer, is important.
The best thing about this book is her list of titles that she read to create the book. I will read those. And continue to educate myself from reputable resources for my own personal knowledge.
As anyone who wants to learn more about traditional herbal medicine knows, there is SO MUCH to know. And it is vital to learn from someone who ACTUALLY knows what they are talking about, who has learned from the generations before them, who have studied in communities and participated in apprenticeships. Because it IS medicine, and I am sorry, but I would never take advice from an MD who just read some books and Googled their way to their degree. So WHY would I do this with herbal medicine? Learning from actual practitioners, not "homesteaders" with a computer, is important.
The best thing about this book is her list of titles that she read to create the book. I will read those. And continue to educate myself from reputable resources for my own personal knowledge.
October 30, 2023
Fewell is the founder of Homesteaders of America. Comprehensive. Great photos.
Covers the author's viewpoint of herbs. Why and How she started and continues.
Lists the top herbs and uses for your home garden no matter the size of plot (or pot) you have.
Covers growing, harvesting, and storing herbs as well as essential oils.
Includes recipes for both the medicine and kitchen cabinets as well as types of animals and livestock.
I didn't know I needed to add this to my library!
Con: The section titles were too scriptive for me. I had reread some of them to catch the lettering.
Covers the author's viewpoint of herbs. Why and How she started and continues.
Lists the top herbs and uses for your home garden no matter the size of plot (or pot) you have.
Covers growing, harvesting, and storing herbs as well as essential oils.
Includes recipes for both the medicine and kitchen cabinets as well as types of animals and livestock.
I didn't know I needed to add this to my library!
Con: The section titles were too scriptive for me. I had reread some of them to catch the lettering.
January 4, 2021
This book was definitely more of a practical guide for herbs. It holds your hand through the different forms in which you can use herbs and plants throughout your daily life. I like that it has simple definitions and uses for each herb/plant as well as recipes all throughout the book. It breaks down dosage amounts, what to avoid during certain times of life, etc. I think that if someone is wanting to learn more with regards to using plants this is a great book for assisting in that.
July 11, 2020
This has some great information about herbs, but I was disappointed that it mostly focuses on essential oils. Good tips on container herbs and what ones are able to come inside. A few good recipes, too.
August 5, 2018
I am appreciative to have this comprehensive resource for growing and using herbs. This is a specific interest guide complete with an alphabetical listing of about 30 herbs.
Information includes recipes, how to grow, medicinal uses, harvesting and how to dry and store the herbs. I enjoyed the book enough to buy it - the ultiment praise I have for it. It’s an essential gardening source for growing and preparing herbs.
Information includes recipes, how to grow, medicinal uses, harvesting and how to dry and store the herbs. I enjoyed the book enough to buy it - the ultiment praise I have for it. It’s an essential gardening source for growing and preparing herbs.
March 22, 2019
It's ok. Lots of basic recipes and herbal preparations. I appreciate the chapters on using herbs for animals.
There is little unique here. She leans heavy on essential oil recipes for some reason, when I was expecting whole herb grow it yourself stuff. And it feels like it needed another edit - among other things, there is reference to a bees/pollinators chapter that must have been cut from the final book.
It's ok. But only ok.
There is little unique here. She leans heavy on essential oil recipes for some reason, when I was expecting whole herb grow it yourself stuff. And it feels like it needed another edit - among other things, there is reference to a bees/pollinators chapter that must have been cut from the final book.
It's ok. But only ok.
November 17, 2019
Confession: I checked this book out of my library and have racked up tons of late fees for which I will gladly pay every penney.
This book is one I didn't know I needed until I had it. Every chapter has something else that made me go aha! This is a must have on every level for homesteaders, herbalists or anyone interested in living life more naturally.
I did return to the library, but my own copy is on the way. Can't do without this beauty.
This book is one I didn't know I needed until I had it. Every chapter has something else that made me go aha! This is a must have on every level for homesteaders, herbalists or anyone interested in living life more naturally.
I did return to the library, but my own copy is on the way. Can't do without this beauty.
April 10, 2021
I’ve read a few herb books by now and all of them I’ve found useful. This book is the one I would recommend as a “first herb” book!
Not only does Fewell talk about the herbs she most frequently uses in depth, she gives many recipes and tips to help you. This book MUST be in your collection if you are at all interested in growing and using herbs in any way even if just to eat with.
It’s also one of the few that doesn’t feel intimidating to someone who is new to herbs.
Not only does Fewell talk about the herbs she most frequently uses in depth, she gives many recipes and tips to help you. This book MUST be in your collection if you are at all interested in growing and using herbs in any way even if just to eat with.
It’s also one of the few that doesn’t feel intimidating to someone who is new to herbs.
June 6, 2022
This is the herb gardening book I was hoping existed, as I start taking my baby-steps toward having a functional indoor herb garden. It's full of practical information on how to grow and use herbs, whether you have a huge garden or space for just a few pots, want to use herbs medicinally or just for cooking. It's definitely a book I will be adding to my personal library ASAP.
February 3, 2023
I like the structure of the Book.
The simplicity with which it is written and the day to day solution to using herbs at home.
I hoped to see more on Sweet Annua here..
A good reference for matters using herbs.
The simplicity with which it is written and the day to day solution to using herbs at home.
I hoped to see more on Sweet Annua here..
A good reference for matters using herbs.
July 6, 2018
This is a great book with several great recipes and ideas for a homesteader. I need to add this book to my personal reference library.
February 3, 2019
Actually got to use some of the recipes and they worked! Love this book!
September 16, 2020
Great book. Thorough but simple explanations. Alot of information.
November 15, 2020
Informative and insightful. 5/5 stars.
December 27, 2021
This is a great book for beginners who want to get into growing an herb garden, and creative ways to use them.
December 28, 2021
Nice introduction to herbs. I have used some of the recipes and they were good. It's a good addition to my cookbook library.
April 16, 2022
Great, practical book.
July 10, 2023
Thorough herbalism guide.
February 1, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. Lots of great information regarding growing and using your herbs for all kinds of uses. Will definitely be referring to this book often.
July 31, 2024
Lots of recipes
May 7, 2026
Throughly thought out and very informative. Well put together guide for a beginner like me.
February 23, 2021
I'm not a homesteader, but I am a home cook looking to learn some herb-growing tips. Interesting read.
July 15, 2022
A bit overwhelming honestly. I didn't end up finishing the book because there was so much to it. Definitely interesting! I love the idea of using only plants for medicine, since that's what people used for hundreds of years- but with my current lifestyle, as a wife who works outside the home in addition to being in charge of housekeeping, I simply don't have time to grow and tend to a whole herb garden on top of everything. However I might come back to this book in the future.
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May 18, 2019I really liked the first half of the book, about the herbs and recipes for homemade products and teas and tinctures. Didn’t like the rest.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews