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Herbalist's Primer
An illustrated guide to real-world magical plants for herbalists, magicians, alchemists, and worldbuilders.
A mix of ethnobotany, folklore, green witchcraft, occult, and science.
A fully-illustrated, thoroughly-researched resource for writers and worldbuilders.
An all-in-one book for druids, healers, alchemists, and poisoners—perfect as an in-world item and applicable in all fantasy (and most modern) settings.
A system-agnostic toolkit for game masters everywhere, complete with tips on including the plants in your campaigns—and creating new, exciting pieces of flora.
- 100 illustrated, detailed descriptions of magically-inclined plants from around the world – from aconite to yew.
- Short, sweet, and useful lore chapters on the basics of botany, herb gathering, preparation, alchemy, poisons & antidotes, and more!
- Recipes for magical and medicinal concoctions, written in-world and in accordance with occult lore of the ages past (mix aconite with animal fat, then rub it on a broom handle for an excellent flying experience!).
- Tools for creating original magical plants, plot hooks, quest ideas, and a botanical Latin primer to give your custom, fantastical plants a semi-proper scientific name.
- Convenient tables with magical and medicinal properties of plants, astronomical correspondences, and the language of flowers – all according to the highest authorities in the fields.
- An index, a detailed table of contents, references, bibliography—everything you’d expect from a popular-science publication that will make your herbalist cry the tears of joy.
A mix of ethnobotany, folklore, green witchcraft, occult, and science.
A fully-illustrated, thoroughly-researched resource for writers and worldbuilders.
An all-in-one book for druids, healers, alchemists, and poisoners—perfect as an in-world item and applicable in all fantasy (and most modern) settings.
A system-agnostic toolkit for game masters everywhere, complete with tips on including the plants in your campaigns—and creating new, exciting pieces of flora.
- 100 illustrated, detailed descriptions of magically-inclined plants from around the world – from aconite to yew.
- Short, sweet, and useful lore chapters on the basics of botany, herb gathering, preparation, alchemy, poisons & antidotes, and more!
- Recipes for magical and medicinal concoctions, written in-world and in accordance with occult lore of the ages past (mix aconite with animal fat, then rub it on a broom handle for an excellent flying experience!).
- Tools for creating original magical plants, plot hooks, quest ideas, and a botanical Latin primer to give your custom, fantastical plants a semi-proper scientific name.
- Convenient tables with magical and medicinal properties of plants, astronomical correspondences, and the language of flowers – all according to the highest authorities in the fields.
- An index, a detailed table of contents, references, bibliography—everything you’d expect from a popular-science publication that will make your herbalist cry the tears of joy.
360 pages, ebook
Published December 14, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
December 16, 2021
Absolutely exceeded my expectations :) I make a lot of druid/nature based characters and wanted something to enhance my in game knowledge to make things feel more real. The illustrations are delightful and the information is concise and just enough to not feel like a textbook while still being informative.
December 16, 2021
This is an beautiful reflection of medicinal folklore, and a stunning book! There's interesting info and detailed illustrations about a large range of plants, with mundane and magical facts about each of them. It's also going to add some real flavour to D&D campaigns. This is highly recommended for fans of fantasy, TTRPGs or plants.
December 7, 2022
What a fantastic resource! I've used this so much and it hasn't even come into play in any of my games. The art is top notch. The layout is perfect. The PDF hyperlinked. The information on each plant is interesting and insightful in a way that has created fun real world discussions with my family.
My favorite feature is the quick reference color coated properties for each plant, which includes medicinal, protective, edible, psychoactive, and poisonous.
The first section of the book is a guide to each plant. Each plant gets a two-page spread with art and basic information about the plant on the left page and a more detailed description of the plant and each of it's properties (listed above) on the right. The right page also includes alternate names used, habitat and cultivation, foraging and preparation techniques and, most importantly for gamers, medicinal and magical properties.
The second section (which is much smaller) is more game oriented but yet not completely. It provides tables to generate your own plants, adventure seeds, folklore references, how to use and treat toxins, as well as a Practical Herbalist guide if you'd like to become one yourself.
Maybe someday I'll use it for my games, but currently its a great real world resource. Heck, there's an adventure for it (sold separately I believe) if you really want maximize your gaming use if this book.
My favorite feature is the quick reference color coated properties for each plant, which includes medicinal, protective, edible, psychoactive, and poisonous.
The first section of the book is a guide to each plant. Each plant gets a two-page spread with art and basic information about the plant on the left page and a more detailed description of the plant and each of it's properties (listed above) on the right. The right page also includes alternate names used, habitat and cultivation, foraging and preparation techniques and, most importantly for gamers, medicinal and magical properties.
The second section (which is much smaller) is more game oriented but yet not completely. It provides tables to generate your own plants, adventure seeds, folklore references, how to use and treat toxins, as well as a Practical Herbalist guide if you'd like to become one yourself.
Maybe someday I'll use it for my games, but currently its a great real world resource. Heck, there's an adventure for it (sold separately I believe) if you really want maximize your gaming use if this book.
December 16, 2021
While prepared as a resource book for an herbalist playing an RPG, this beautifully illustrated tome is a must for any gardener seeking out the magical properties to be found in your garden. Great time and effort was spent researching these magical herbs along with instructions on how to use them in any rpg. The notes, illustrations and explanations make this a great gift even if you never intend to use it as a resource in a game of dnd. However, should your lawfull evil mage need certain herbs to bring an end to that sniveling boy scout of a paladin, you need this book.
December 16, 2021
This book is absolutely incredible. The detail and illustrations are amazing. I backed it on Kickstarter because it sounded like it would be a good book to use in a variety of RPGs but it's not just good. It surpasses good by a long shot.
I'm still reading it but it's the best RPG resource I've seen in years. Seriously years. I have saved the occasional detailed fantasy herb or plant over the years but I can stop doing that. This book has it all.
I'm still reading it but it's the best RPG resource I've seen in years. Seriously years. I have saved the occasional detailed fantasy herb or plant over the years but I can stop doing that. This book has it all.
December 16, 2021
Beautiful and informative. More science than is typical for role-playing games yet more readable and sumptuously illustrated. A masterpiece.
January 1, 2022
A solid tool/resource for writers and RPGers looking for a handy reference on plants with supposed powers.
It’s not encyclopedic, and there were some odd (to me) omissions (like astragalus, feverfew, hensbane, and valerian), but it’s not fair or realistic to expect everything to be in here.
The illustrations were appealing and well done, and the text was engaging. The indices and appendices could have been a bit better, but are still useful.
All told, a good resource for people who want to add elements of herbology to stories and games.
It’s not encyclopedic, and there were some odd (to me) omissions (like astragalus, feverfew, hensbane, and valerian), but it’s not fair or realistic to expect everything to be in here.
The illustrations were appealing and well done, and the text was engaging. The indices and appendices could have been a bit better, but are still useful.
All told, a good resource for people who want to add elements of herbology to stories and games.
December 19, 2021
I ended up downloading the virtual copy before the book was actually released, and I'm really glad that I did! I loved the idea of an herbalist primer, especially in the context that this would be a way for my younger brother - a DnD player with a love of the game and nature who is always looking for new ways to integrate real-world ideas and principles into his campaigns, to learn more about the natural world outside of his interactions with me and build those campaigns (and eventually games, as he's pursuing game design at the time of reviewing) in new, interesting ways. This book will do exactly that, and it ended up giving me a ton of information that I can actually use in-field to identify the plants shown between its pages. With absolutely stunning photos, guides to sizes, planting and cultivation zones, and so much more! The blending of real-world applications with mythological was breathtaking, and I'd highly recommend it!
This book is NOT a scientific publication, a book on the occult or to be used as a guide to medicine. While the author did a FANTASTIC job in her research on the real-life uses, looks, and backgrounds of these plants - this is not to be used as a field guide or one to making herbal treatments.
This book is NOT a scientific publication, a book on the occult or to be used as a guide to medicine. While the author did a FANTASTIC job in her research on the real-life uses, looks, and backgrounds of these plants - this is not to be used as a field guide or one to making herbal treatments.
January 17, 2022
I backed this on Kickstarter to have a guide for RPGs about the magical properties of various herbs. This has far exceeded my expectations and wants. It is beautifully illustrated and well laid out. I really like the scale indicator.
Each page on it has Description, Habitat and Cultivation, Foraging and Preparation, Medicinal Properties, Magical Properties, and Poisonous Properties. It also has an illustration for each one as the aforementioned scale indicator.
Great resource for a lot of different needs!
Each page on it has Description, Habitat and Cultivation, Foraging and Preparation, Medicinal Properties, Magical Properties, and Poisonous Properties. It also has an illustration for each one as the aforementioned scale indicator.
Great resource for a lot of different needs!
January 25, 2022
this is a great tool for my fantasy tabletop RPG's it is informative and with a little work to set growth locations and pricing information is a great addition to the campaign it has already come in handy with my sessions. as a backer on Kickstarter, I gained access to this as a PDF a bit on the early side. as a DM for a few D&D groups I have been using it with a fair amount of frequency since having gone through the work that I previously mentioned.
the only complaint I have honestly is how densely packed the information is with little to no room to add personal notes for each plant near the plants and their descriptions. the space is all taken up with information that the writers have provided which leaves me with only room in the margins to add notes about growth locations and pricing for my D&D campaigns. since this has mentions of use as a resource for tabletop games such as D&D, and even includes ideas and prompts for in game introductions of these plants and quests to get them, I would have thought that a notes section/page for each plant might have been included for such purposes. personally, I understand not including this sort of thing in the physical copy since I, personally, would not want to mark up this book myself though I know some who might want to. I think it would be a good idea if there is a revision of this sometime in the future to include a notes page after each plant.
in any case the information contained within this book is indeed valuable to me as a DM, and I would suspect that this would be just as valuable to all types of GM's who what to provide an interesting journey that includes botanical surprises and stories or have players who want more natural items for their druid type/ nature-based characters to interact with.
the only complaint I have honestly is how densely packed the information is with little to no room to add personal notes for each plant near the plants and their descriptions. the space is all taken up with information that the writers have provided which leaves me with only room in the margins to add notes about growth locations and pricing for my D&D campaigns. since this has mentions of use as a resource for tabletop games such as D&D, and even includes ideas and prompts for in game introductions of these plants and quests to get them, I would have thought that a notes section/page for each plant might have been included for such purposes. personally, I understand not including this sort of thing in the physical copy since I, personally, would not want to mark up this book myself though I know some who might want to. I think it would be a good idea if there is a revision of this sometime in the future to include a notes page after each plant.
in any case the information contained within this book is indeed valuable to me as a DM, and I would suspect that this would be just as valuable to all types of GM's who what to provide an interesting journey that includes botanical surprises and stories or have players who want more natural items for their druid type/ nature-based characters to interact with.
January 17, 2022
I've always loved plants and the things they can do. This book scratches a major plant nerd itch.
I also have always wanted to make a druid or apothacary character in TTRPG's, but have been overwhelmed by research basic stuff online. I love having some basic knowledge to roleplay. This book is perfect for that.
This book is gorgeous, well layed out, and well written. Absolutely in love with it.
I also have always wanted to make a druid or apothacary character in TTRPG's, but have been overwhelmed by research basic stuff online. I love having some basic knowledge to roleplay. This book is perfect for that.
This book is gorgeous, well layed out, and well written. Absolutely in love with it.
December 11, 2024
Gorgeously illustrated and packed full of both real botany and inventive lore. This is one of those books that I pick up and flip to a random page just to take a quick break. An outstanding creative accomplishment!
December 16, 2021
Fantastic artwork, in depth research. Clearly a work with a lot of love put into it.
January 17, 2022
After looking into MANY books for herbalism and Magick, after skimming this book I can tell you it is one of the best I have ever seen.
Pick this up if you are curious.
Pick this up if you are curious.
December 16, 2021
Great format, interesting information, one of the best system agnostic books I've ever read.
December 17, 2021
This is an amazing intro to herbalism.
December 17, 2021
A well written gaming supplement!
December 21, 2021
This is an amazing composition of information with detailed drawings to accompany the text. Whether you are a writer, a gamer, a gardener, or a reader, you will find plenty of entertainment and folklore in this book. It was clearly heavily researched, and is accurately indexed for ease of use. I invested in the kickstarter because it sounded like a lovely premise, and it has gone above and beyond my expectations!
January 17, 2022
Beautiful book, I've gotten so much inspiration from this to use during my RPGs!
December 31, 2021
As someone who plays D&D and loves plants, this book was an amazing find. I know for a fact I’ll be using this book in future games, and that my friends are gonna all to borrow it.
September 13, 2025
I agree with other comments, this boo exceeded my expectations. It is wonderful for my D&D games. Keeps my Druid busy with herbs and plants.
It’s organised well.
Love it.
It’s organised well.
Love it.
January 9, 2022
I backed it on kickstarter, and I have to say I am so impressed with the results. Not just the content, but the design and layout as well. For reference books, I'm a bit of a stickler for good graphic design and consistency between pages and sections. This book is intelligent, informative, chock full of details perfect to inspire your books, stories, roleplaying games, or whatever other creative endeavors you take on. But on top of all of that, it's beautifully done. Not to mention the super helpful fundamentals covered in the first chapters. 10/10. I highly recommend!
December 19, 2021
This is such a fun addition to our RPG book collection. We've already integrated it into our game!
January 13, 2022
Alas, finally a nature based book for all of the wizards that were interested in Druidry -- but was too into fantasy novels and wizard spell books to fully commit to being in nature...
January 19, 2022
I backed this project on Kickstarter and I'm so happy I did. It's incredibly informative and beautifully illustrated. The fact that it goes over both practical and magical applications is wonderful, and overall I just very much enjoyed it. I highly recommend it to any witches interested in learning more about the tools of our craft or even just someone interested in plants and their various properties.
December 16, 2021
Marvelous and charming. The illustrations are gorgeous and evoke a feeling of warm nostalgia. Highly recommended for any world-building enthusiast out there. I've already put together my own made-up elixirs inspired by the contents of this book. A must-have for fantasy writers!
April 19, 2023
I was lucky enough to get in on the Kickstarter for this book and so I received a GORGEOUS physical copy (and a poster and a notebook and some reference cards) which I am absolutely in love with. The illustrations are beautiful, and the information is presented in a clear and easy to reference way. And there is so much information! The level of research the author has done here is staggering - that's why it took me so long to get through (that and I'm always a bit slower when I'm reading non-fiction books).
I sincerely hope the physical book is available post-Kickstarter because it is a gem. If you have an interest in herbalism this is a wonderful book to have on your bookshelf. If you have an interest in witchcraft from any angle this is a wonderful book to have on your bookshelf. If you have an interest in folklore and folk magic this is a wonderful book to have on your bookshelf. And if you are a D&D player (or any other RPG system to be honest) and want to inject a bit more depth to your game universe, this book also has a section devoted to how to input herbalism and detailed alchemy into your games. It's phenomenal - I'm in love with this book.
I sincerely hope the physical book is available post-Kickstarter because it is a gem. If you have an interest in herbalism this is a wonderful book to have on your bookshelf. If you have an interest in witchcraft from any angle this is a wonderful book to have on your bookshelf. If you have an interest in folklore and folk magic this is a wonderful book to have on your bookshelf. And if you are a D&D player (or any other RPG system to be honest) and want to inject a bit more depth to your game universe, this book also has a section devoted to how to input herbalism and detailed alchemy into your games. It's phenomenal - I'm in love with this book.
November 7, 2022
I backed this book on Kickstarter because I liked the idea so much and now that I have a physical copy in my hands, I'm doubly glad I did. This is an excellent supplement for Game Masters and fantasy authors, full of information on different plants and their properties (real, magical, medicinal & allegedly medicinal, along with their symbolism, cultural significance, and likely habitats). It also includes some tables for generating various new fantasy plants and plant-based adventure ideas.
The illustrations are gorgeous and accurate, and sometimes they make me laugh (I'm sorry, but honeybee butts will never not be funny; I'm basic like that).
The book is full of great ideas and information, and definitely a nice addition to my reference library. I'm honestly not sure at this point if it'll get more use while I'm writing or running tabletop games, but I'll definitely be getting a lot of use out of it.
The illustrations are gorgeous and accurate, and sometimes they make me laugh (I'm sorry, but honeybee butts will never not be funny; I'm basic like that).
The book is full of great ideas and information, and definitely a nice addition to my reference library. I'm honestly not sure at this point if it'll get more use while I'm writing or running tabletop games, but I'll definitely be getting a lot of use out of it.
November 3, 2022
I had backed this on Kickstarter because, a: I have a problem in backing cool game-related things, and b: it looked interesting. I recently received mine and have to say that the quality, attention to detail and approach far exceeded my expectations.
It's a rare tome that bridges the gap between the living word - in it's meticulous study and presentation of botanicals by sight and property, the magickal - in it's weaving in of medicinal and magickal correspondences (with a witch silhouette to compare relative plant size against!), and the nerdy - by wrapping it all under the intent of providing a comprehensive role-playing game supplement for the herbologically-minded.
I find it beyond impressive that this proves to be both a reference for incorporating believable botany into gaming world as it is a legitimate learning and reference tool for the real world.
It's a rare tome that bridges the gap between the living word - in it's meticulous study and presentation of botanicals by sight and property, the magickal - in it's weaving in of medicinal and magickal correspondences (with a witch silhouette to compare relative plant size against!), and the nerdy - by wrapping it all under the intent of providing a comprehensive role-playing game supplement for the herbologically-minded.
I find it beyond impressive that this proves to be both a reference for incorporating believable botany into gaming world as it is a legitimate learning and reference tool for the real world.
December 25, 2024
This book claims to be a generic rpg sourcebook and a work of fiction, which is a bit of a bummer because what attracted to me was the extensive lists of Medical, Poisonous and Magical properties of the plants depicted in this book. Having just read a few novels in which herbalism played a significant role, I was excited to learn actual real-life properties of herbs, but I have to admit I'm a bit bummed out by the warning in this book to not take the medicinal/poisonous properties listed seriously (the book claims they may not necessarily be wrong, but there is not necessarily scientific evidence, it's based on folklore). Seems like if I want to prepare for the apocalypse, I need to find a better-researched volume than this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews