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Plant Magic: Herbalism in Real Life
A fun, modern, and irreverent introduction to healing herbs, this field guide to feeling good includes more than 20 plant profiles.
Here is an invitation to the wild world of healing plants growing right outside your door. Highlighting herbs from catnip and plantain to nettles and rosemary, this book provides the information you need to assemble an herbal arsenal for combatting any ailment—everything from brewing up a slick lube tea for sexual health to fashioning a simple summer band-aid from backyard “weeds” to crafting an herbal smoking blend to quiet a busy mind. This accessible guide covers questions What is plant medicine? What can I put in my mouth and where do I find it? Can I still go to my doctor? We’ve got you covered.
Here is an invitation to the wild world of healing plants growing right outside your door. Highlighting herbs from catnip and plantain to nettles and rosemary, this book provides the information you need to assemble an herbal arsenal for combatting any ailment—everything from brewing up a slick lube tea for sexual health to fashioning a simple summer band-aid from backyard “weeds” to crafting an herbal smoking blend to quiet a busy mind. This accessible guide covers questions What is plant medicine? What can I put in my mouth and where do I find it? Can I still go to my doctor? We’ve got you covered.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published March 31, 2020
50 people are currently reading
723 people want to read
About the author
Christine Buckley
8 books11 followersChristine Buckley’s travels have taken her to five continents and taught her to shear sheep, cultivate rice, sail without a G.P.S. and edit a state-run newspaper with a straight face. Her LA Weekly cover story on human rights activist Aaron Cohen was a 2008 LA Press Club and Maggie Award finalist and led to the book Slave Hunter: One Man’s Quest to Free Victims of Human Trafficking, co-written with Cohen (Simon & Schuster Entertainment). Christine has contributed to National Public Radio, The New York Times and Current TV, among others. Her reporting has also won her an Associated Press award. She is working on a second book based on an essay recently published in Best Women's Travel Writing 2010:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 26, 2019
This is a great introduction to herbal healing, with lots of great information on how to make simple herbal remedies. Buckley provides information on how to determine your constitution (hot/cold, moist/dry, relaxed/tense) and use the constitution of plants to balance problems. She goes into how to forage safely and responsibly and her favorite wild herbs (about half of the plants she profiles can be easily found in the wild, and don't forget that there are wild places in cities too). She provides step by step instructions on how to make salves, tinctures, herbal honeys, oxymels and much more, and guides you through how to know which is best for the plant material and issue. She then goes into details about 20 plants she loves, with about 4 pages for each about why she loves them, what they're best for, how it grows and how to use it. Most of these are staples in our kitchen and on our canning shelves.
I recently put away the china in my china cabinet in order to convert it to additional storage for our dried herbs, tinctures and syrups. It makes me ridiculously happy seeing all of those jars. A lot of her favorite herbs are mine too and are in that cabinet -- jars of dried elderberries, plantain leaves, catmint, lemon balm and peppermint, for instance. There is only one plant of the 20 she profiles that isn't a common one in our kitchen and that's only because it doesn't grow in this area (linden) but I'm hoping to find a workaround for that too. The book is nice because it doesn't overwhelm the reader with a hundred plants and also features ones that are quite simple to find in your own neighborhood, garden or community. Plantain grows as a weed in just about every American lawn and park, for instance, and it's such a wonderful remedy for skin ailments and insect stings. Note that she does not provide information on how to find or ID the plants. You'll need a good ID book for that, and foraging is not the main focus on this book (I just review from the perspective of a forager and gardener). All in all, this is a wonderful resource to get started with herbs, great for beginners but also for those who already use and love healing herbs. Highly recommended.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
I recently put away the china in my china cabinet in order to convert it to additional storage for our dried herbs, tinctures and syrups. It makes me ridiculously happy seeing all of those jars. A lot of her favorite herbs are mine too and are in that cabinet -- jars of dried elderberries, plantain leaves, catmint, lemon balm and peppermint, for instance. There is only one plant of the 20 she profiles that isn't a common one in our kitchen and that's only because it doesn't grow in this area (linden) but I'm hoping to find a workaround for that too. The book is nice because it doesn't overwhelm the reader with a hundred plants and also features ones that are quite simple to find in your own neighborhood, garden or community. Plantain grows as a weed in just about every American lawn and park, for instance, and it's such a wonderful remedy for skin ailments and insect stings. Note that she does not provide information on how to find or ID the plants. You'll need a good ID book for that, and foraging is not the main focus on this book (I just review from the perspective of a forager and gardener). All in all, this is a wonderful resource to get started with herbs, great for beginners but also for those who already use and love healing herbs. Highly recommended.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.
October 23, 2019
This was a wonderful introduction to herbalism for a newbie like me. It starts with the very basics of the history of herbalism and what it looks like in modern day. Then it advances the reader through identifying plants, growing them, and using them to make tinctures, salves, etc for home use. The author's tone is friendly, the writing is straightforward. This would be a great book to have a physical copy of, for future reference. I enjoyed the book a lot - as a lover of plants already, it inspired me to find more ways to enjoy them in my daily life.
Many thanks to NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Many thanks to NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 10, 2022
Not what I expected. From the summary and the way people raved about it, I assumed that this book was only factual but it was more so a mix of facts and the author’s opinion on things. Some of the opinions were helpful but others I found to be unnecessary. I also wish that the author would have cited the information that was provided as well.
April 27, 2020
A lot of the recipes in this book sound really interesting (I’m planning to make the the Headache Oxymel the next time I get my hands on food safe lavender), and I think this will be a really useful jumping off point for experimenting with herbal medicine!
October 18, 2019
I'm the type of person who needs the most simplest of things explained to over and over. I'm sorry if that isn't your jam but it very much is mine and it's not going to change.
This book is wondrous because it does exactly that and more. What else can I ask for? I love herbs, I love learning, and I want to be the very best I can be. Where can I go wrong?
Herbalism is not just about learning about plants but it's learning about the healing practices involving them and how they can center your mental and physical well being. It's about respecting the planet and everyone else that lives here.
I absolutely love this book. I have been slowly getting into
for years and have been relying on the internet and Pinterest for tips so it is nice to finally have a guide that breaks it down for me. It also even provides several ways that you can prepare the herbs for yourself. This includes tinctures, honey, tea, oil.
I'm not going to spill all this book's secrets but my absolute favorite part is the paragraph that says:
that unless we are indigenous to this country we are on stolen land and we need to give thanks and take care of this stolen land that we are on.
My impression of this book is that it is wonderful as a guide and I learned so much reading while reading it. I highly recommend it.
Thank you very much to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
This book is wondrous because it does exactly that and more. What else can I ask for? I love herbs, I love learning, and I want to be the very best I can be. Where can I go wrong?
Herbalism is not just about learning about plants but it's learning about the healing practices involving them and how they can center your mental and physical well being. It's about respecting the planet and everyone else that lives here.
I absolutely love this book. I have been slowly getting into
for years and have been relying on the internet and Pinterest for tips so it is nice to finally have a guide that breaks it down for me. It also even provides several ways that you can prepare the herbs for yourself. This includes tinctures, honey, tea, oil.
I'm not going to spill all this book's secrets but my absolute favorite part is the paragraph that says:
that unless we are indigenous to this country we are on stolen land and we need to give thanks and take care of this stolen land that we are on.
My impression of this book is that it is wonderful as a guide and I learned so much reading while reading it. I highly recommend it.
Thank you very much to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
April 8, 2020
Christine Buckley explored herbalism as if actually is in real life. I bookmarked several parts throughout the book. I enjoyed her explanations and easy to read and carefully broken up sections in the book. I liked the Herbal Actions list and think that is a great quick reference tool to anyome who wants to try a more herbal approach to any ailments or issues.
I also really enjoyed the section about making medicines at home, particularly tinctures. I have several chronic illnesses including Rheumatoid Arthritis, Endometriosis, Migraines, and insomnia just to name a few and have recently become interested in some more natural ways to help manage my chronic pain.
I liked reading about American Elderberry. I have heard of Elderberry syrup before so it was interesting getting some background on that. I love all the different recipes and different ways that herbs can be utilized. You can tell that Christine Buckley put thought into this and didn't just Google something and stick it in there.
I have been wanting to try having a small herb garden that I'll actually use since past attempts at it have gone unused because I didn't know what to do or make with it, so thank you for providing detailed information on a handful of herbs and plants!
I also really enjoyed the section about making medicines at home, particularly tinctures. I have several chronic illnesses including Rheumatoid Arthritis, Endometriosis, Migraines, and insomnia just to name a few and have recently become interested in some more natural ways to help manage my chronic pain.
I liked reading about American Elderberry. I have heard of Elderberry syrup before so it was interesting getting some background on that. I love all the different recipes and different ways that herbs can be utilized. You can tell that Christine Buckley put thought into this and didn't just Google something and stick it in there.
I have been wanting to try having a small herb garden that I'll actually use since past attempts at it have gone unused because I didn't know what to do or make with it, so thank you for providing detailed information on a handful of herbs and plants!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2019
A fun, practical guide that shines with its author's sense of humor and lives up to its subtitle.
I really liked how the book was divided into sections where it explained how to make the various remedies (explaining the differences between them) and then made recommendations about possible plant combos. It really emphasized the personalized nature of Buckley's herbalism.
I was also super impressed with her commitment to pointing out how practitioners of non-indigenous and especially those of us who are colonizer descendants have a responsibility not to impinge on traditions not our own and to take up as little indigenous resources as possible. The topic was brought up and gently but firmly explained several times and I really appreciated it.
One of the most fun aspects of the book was Buckley's casual, conversational style of dropping in personal anecdotes. I learned a lot and would definitely add this book to my reference collection.
I really liked how the book was divided into sections where it explained how to make the various remedies (explaining the differences between them) and then made recommendations about possible plant combos. It really emphasized the personalized nature of Buckley's herbalism.
I was also super impressed with her commitment to pointing out how practitioners of non-indigenous and especially those of us who are colonizer descendants have a responsibility not to impinge on traditions not our own and to take up as little indigenous resources as possible. The topic was brought up and gently but firmly explained several times and I really appreciated it.
One of the most fun aspects of the book was Buckley's casual, conversational style of dropping in personal anecdotes. I learned a lot and would definitely add this book to my reference collection.
January 20, 2021
I've read a lot of books about herbs, but this one has been up there with the best of them. She gives a modern and thoughtful explanation of herbalism, helpful how-to's and definitions, then a series of safe, common, and super helpful herbs with profiles for each one. There are many guides out there that just list the uses and physical description of herbs, but this was so much more than that. The author was careful to include unique recipes for teas, tinctures, cordials, face masks, foot soaks, salads, broths, spray cleaners, and so many other fun ideas to utilize herbs in daily life, often with quick personal anecdotes and funny quips. My favorite parts are when she describes the best uses for each herb. She'll say, for example, nettle tea is great when you're craving processed foods and linden is perfect when you need a hug, but don't want people around. I read this cover to cover and absolutely loved it. I plan to buy it for friends and make recipes for gifts!
December 3, 2019
"Plant Magic" by Christine Buckley is a valuable resource for any herbal enthusiasts. I found the content of this book to be both reliable and educational. The way the author brings the reader into the world of plants is inspiring. I find myself looking at the plants around me in a different way, when I go on my daily walks.
There is a field guide with colored pictures in the back of the book which you will find very helpful when foraging for herbs. The author walks you through the many ways to use herbs in food, tinctures, teas, ointments, oils, syrups and decoctions.
The book includes some wonderful recipes and insights on how to use them and what herbs best suites you as an individual. If you are looking for a way to include herbs in your life, you have to have "Plant Magic", by Christine Buckley.
Blessings🌱
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
There is a field guide with colored pictures in the back of the book which you will find very helpful when foraging for herbs. The author walks you through the many ways to use herbs in food, tinctures, teas, ointments, oils, syrups and decoctions.
The book includes some wonderful recipes and insights on how to use them and what herbs best suites you as an individual. If you are looking for a way to include herbs in your life, you have to have "Plant Magic", by Christine Buckley.
Blessings🌱
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 15, 2022
Like if Gwenyth Paltrow wrote an herbalism field guide. The book goes from "this is why you should go outside and wild-craft" (forage) to recipes - it skips the part where it identifies herbs in the wild. The photos are not for identification purposes, and the descriptions of where the herbs live say things like "disturbed earth, city parks... cracks in sidewalk, walls". If you are interested in hardiness zones or soil type or what the plant looks like or where to actually find it, you won't get that here. The reader must assume that the author buys her herbs while simultaneously discouraging readers from doing just that. The information has no references and some of the info is factually incorrect, which seems wildly irresponsible for a book that is suggesting medicinal remedies.
February 5, 2025
I did like it and I made many noted in a notebook on the various uses for some of these herbs. What they help with and many of the recipes. It is a good introduction into what herbs can do for your body. These can be the start of helping to take care of yourself. Somethings are simple and these can help. But they are not usually a cure all. If things are too far gone you may need to go to a doctor and get medicine. But improving your overall health is not a bad idea for any of us.
If you are interested and just getting started, this is a great place to start. She covers 21 easy to find herbs and other plants. Things that, if they are not in your yard, you should be able to find foraging.
If you are interested and just getting started, this is a great place to start. She covers 21 easy to find herbs and other plants. Things that, if they are not in your yard, you should be able to find foraging.
March 6, 2020
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the this book from NetGalley and Roost in exchange for an honest review.
For a couple of years now, I've been exploring the world of DIY natural care. I was drawn to this area because I especially enjoy the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction of creating a product with intention and full understanding of what it is made to do. Christine Buckley perfectly encapsulates this vibe her book Plant Magic and does so in an extremely accessible way. I love the reference guide feel of it and it's designed to give you both places/recipes to start with and encourage you experiment on your own (and all while recognizing privilege!)
For a couple of years now, I've been exploring the world of DIY natural care. I was drawn to this area because I especially enjoy the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction of creating a product with intention and full understanding of what it is made to do. Christine Buckley perfectly encapsulates this vibe her book Plant Magic and does so in an extremely accessible way. I love the reference guide feel of it and it's designed to give you both places/recipes to start with and encourage you experiment on your own (and all while recognizing privilege!)
January 12, 2024
As others have mentioned, this was a great kick off into herbalism, better understanding my environment, and creating recipes/tinctures/etc. with things that I can find around me every day. My husband has also been delving into his cooking era, and it was exciting to read more about some of the spices he's been using (i.e. sumac, nettle) and what alternative uses they have.
What I found slightly frustrating was simply the way the book was set up - I went into it thinking it was more of an index I could reference, however the information is great to have on hand and I'm excited to try out some things!
What I found slightly frustrating was simply the way the book was set up - I went into it thinking it was more of an index I could reference, however the information is great to have on hand and I'm excited to try out some things!
October 17, 2019
This is an excellent Herbalism intro with superb photography and excellent info! Starts with the basics and provides solid guidance on what herbs to use for certain issues and how to prepare them. Using the excellent and clear info will be more work than a of readers will want to tackle even though most are quick simple recipes. Highly recommended for those interested.
I really appreciate the preview copy for review!!
I really appreciate the preview copy for review!!
December 4, 2019
A deeply “back to nature” book. Great for the person into alternative healing and organic food. Thanks to #NetGalley, I had an advanced PDF to read and review.
*All opinions are my own and I was not required to post a positive review. *
*All opinions are my own and I was not required to post a positive review. *
July 20, 2021
Great introductory book. I'm so excited to look around the woods the next time I go camping. And, I've already discovered so much on my own backyard!
I read it cover to cover.
I'm sure I'll be referencing it a lot. 🌿
I read it cover to cover.
I'm sure I'll be referencing it a lot. 🌿
September 22, 2022
Easy to read book about some common herbs. It contains directions for tinctures, salves, teas, oils and syrups. There’s an area that talks about the medicinal value of these commons herbs and some recipes. A good book to get started with medicinal herbs.
December 24, 2022
I got this book from the library and then had to order it because it was so good. I love that ethical harvesting was covered. Foraging has become more popular but rarely do ethics get covered when harvesting plants from the wild.
April 8, 2020
Solid entry into herbalism. Self-aware and user friendly.
October 5, 2020
Great herbalism book. Love her explanations and recipes/craft ideas. Can’t wait to try them.
October 18, 2020
Well-organized plethora of information.
December 28, 2020
One of the best herbalism books I've read this year!
February 9, 2021
Great intro to herbalism including recipes.
August 21, 2021
So far my favorite intro to herbalism book (I’ve checked out a lot from the library) that I’ve read. Nice design, easy to read, well organized information, and speaks in a language I understand.
February 7, 2023
Started off interesting, but didn’t seem to expand on it.
July 17, 2023
Beautiful book on herbalism; loved that it was written by a Brooklynite. Her individual portraits of herbs were really nice and thiws would be a great reference.
May 12, 2025
A great intro to herbalism! I learned so many new uses for common herbs, as well as where to find them. I’m excited to try out some of the recipes from this book.
December 20, 2021
De magie van planten. Praktische gids voor kruidengeneeskunde. Door: Christine Buckley.
Er zijn mensen die overlopen van kennis en enthousiasme en die dat graag delen door middel van een boek. Buckley is daar één van. Geweldig maar. Die kennis hebben en willen delen is één ding, die overzichtelijk in een boek samen brengen is een ander ding. Dit is een ‘praktische’ gids. Dat ‘praktisch’ slaat op het feit dat je naast een heleboel informatie, kennis en weetjes ook veel recepten en toepassingen krijgt, niet op het gebruiksgemak van dit boek.
Wat niet wegneemt dat dit een heel boeiend, mooi vormgegeven gids is. Het is een beetje raar dat er ook een recept voor een kruidensigaret instaat (in een gids die je gezondheid wil verbeteren) en dat er in sommige recepten gebruik wordt gemaakt van gedroogde bessen in plaats van de vers geplukte variant; maar laat dat de pret niet drukken.
De toepassingen en recepten zijn heel breed, gaande van sumak-ijsthee over schoonmaakazijn van de vier dieven tot een verzorgend oogmasker. En het mooie is dat de meeste kruiden gewoon bij iedereen in de buurt te vinden zijn. Je kan direct zelf aan de slag gaan. En geloof me, die goesting zal er zijn nadat je dit boek dichtslaat.
Hoe meer je weet, hoe meer je ziet. En dat laat de magie niet afnemen, integendeel: de magie van Moeder Natuur wordt met elke druppel kennis groter.
Er zijn mensen die overlopen van kennis en enthousiasme en die dat graag delen door middel van een boek. Buckley is daar één van. Geweldig maar. Die kennis hebben en willen delen is één ding, die overzichtelijk in een boek samen brengen is een ander ding. Dit is een ‘praktische’ gids. Dat ‘praktisch’ slaat op het feit dat je naast een heleboel informatie, kennis en weetjes ook veel recepten en toepassingen krijgt, niet op het gebruiksgemak van dit boek.
Wat niet wegneemt dat dit een heel boeiend, mooi vormgegeven gids is. Het is een beetje raar dat er ook een recept voor een kruidensigaret instaat (in een gids die je gezondheid wil verbeteren) en dat er in sommige recepten gebruik wordt gemaakt van gedroogde bessen in plaats van de vers geplukte variant; maar laat dat de pret niet drukken.
De toepassingen en recepten zijn heel breed, gaande van sumak-ijsthee over schoonmaakazijn van de vier dieven tot een verzorgend oogmasker. En het mooie is dat de meeste kruiden gewoon bij iedereen in de buurt te vinden zijn. Je kan direct zelf aan de slag gaan. En geloof me, die goesting zal er zijn nadat je dit boek dichtslaat.
Hoe meer je weet, hoe meer je ziet. En dat laat de magie niet afnemen, integendeel: de magie van Moeder Natuur wordt met elke druppel kennis groter.
November 30, 2022
i somehow had a press copy of this book in my library, and i am now itching to get the full copy. introduces and frames herbalism in an accessible, spirited, interconnected, and approachable way. the recipes and profiles are well done. i was a bit apprehensive of reading about plants from a non-poc perspective, but i was not disappointed. i hope and look forward to reading more from indigenous and global south perspectives!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews