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Healing Secrets of the Native Americans: Herbs, Remedies, and Practices That Restore the Body, Refresh the Mind, and Rebuild the Spirit
Learn how Native Americans have used the bountiful gifts of nature to heal the mind, the body, and the spirit. Bestselling Healing Secrets of the Native Americans brings the age-old knowledge and trusted techniques of Native-American healing to a wider audience.
Discover how the Native-American tradition uses plants and herbs, heat, movement and sound, visualization, and spirituality to heal dozens of everyday ailments and illnesses -- from back pain to insect bites to flu and sore throat and much more and apply it to your life to improve your health and your mind.
Broken into sections, the book covers such topics as "The Healing Spirit" (including dream therapy, spirituality, and prayer), "The Native American Spa" (healing with heat, massage, sound and movement, and nutrition), "The Native American Pharmacy" (including more than 40 herbs and plants, how to obtain them, and how to use them), plus remedies for more than 40 ailments from acne to wrinkles.
Discover how the Native-American tradition uses plants and herbs, heat, movement and sound, visualization, and spirituality to heal dozens of everyday ailments and illnesses -- from back pain to insect bites to flu and sore throat and much more and apply it to your life to improve your health and your mind.
Broken into sections, the book covers such topics as "The Healing Spirit" (including dream therapy, spirituality, and prayer), "The Native American Spa" (healing with heat, massage, sound and movement, and nutrition), "The Native American Pharmacy" (including more than 40 herbs and plants, how to obtain them, and how to use them), plus remedies for more than 40 ailments from acne to wrinkles.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2004
111 people are currently reading
696 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 13, 2020
Loved this book. So interesting and insightful. Will compliment my ayerveda learnings as well since it’s a lot of herb work too. It seems the native Americans knew far more than we even know about health and balance and how to use nature to restore the spirit body and mind. I respect their teachings so much and thanks to this book I will know a little bit about herbs for different illnesses. It covered a LOT so I feel it was worth the read for sure. Read my notes here https://docs.google.com/document/d/10...
October 10, 2020
I liked "American Indian Medicine" by Virgil Vogel better. However, this one is more digestable
July 22, 2021
This is a very well presented introductory book on herbal medicine. I like that it talked about the culture and traditions of Native American medicine, talks about different ways that different tribes used each plant, and has other sections with relevant topics like a list of highly respected healing places around the country.
The book covers 42 of the most common and easily identified medicinal plants in North America. Many of these are not native plants but European invasives, and the book points that out, as well as the fact that Native Americans ingeniously learned to use them as quickly as they took root.
It's a quick read, entertaining and educational enough that it made me want to learn more. I have already identified 11 useful plants in my yard and intend to use them. My gardening might just become a lot easier with the knowledge that I've been fighting the health that nature has been offering all along.
The book covers 42 of the most common and easily identified medicinal plants in North America. Many of these are not native plants but European invasives, and the book points that out, as well as the fact that Native Americans ingeniously learned to use them as quickly as they took root.
It's a quick read, entertaining and educational enough that it made me want to learn more. I have already identified 11 useful plants in my yard and intend to use them. My gardening might just become a lot easier with the knowledge that I've been fighting the health that nature has been offering all along.
December 1, 2022
Interesting and thought provoking. But the author presents a lot of information (opinions) as facts and draws a lot of ridiculous conclusions. This is coming from somebody who wholeheartedly believes in holistic medicine and natural healing (as a supplement to modern medicine, not in replacement of it. Peppermint for nausea, penicillin for pneumonia kind of approach).
November 8, 2025
DNF: time of death 17%
I bought this book for my November curriculum, which is to learn more about Native Americans. When I tell you, I realized this book was written by a white man within the first chapter. It was so obvious from his arrogant prose.
Firstly, he talks about natives as if they just so happened to stumble upon these magical healing rituals. Like it’s not part of their culture to study and observe their surroundings. Like they weren’t conducting scientific research before white people even know what germs were. His narrative belittles the knowledge of the natives. And then he writes “it’s hard to imagine now, but bathing in any form was considered a sin by the Catholics and Protestants who lives in Western Europe”. No, it’s not hard to imagine. European settlers and wealthy elites were known for being stinky. And they thought the natives were barbaric for bathing… and yet this guy is still writing as if it’s the Europeans who were smarter than the natives…
Another thing he keeps doing is saying “research suggests”, without saying what research. Sure, he puts like 20 citations in the back of the book, but he should be explaining what studies and how they came to these conclusions. I’m not doubting the validity, only that it sounds like he’s just making observations and dubbing them as having been “researched”. He says, “recent studies on the power of prayer in general have found that it can have measurable effects-even when the person being prayed for knows nothing about it!” This, in fact, is false. Though, the one major study done on the power of prayer was conducted after he first published this book, so I guess I’ll give him a pass. The STEP trial, conducted in 2006, showed no significant differences between patients who were prayed for and patients who weren’t. In fact, the group with the worst patient outcome was the group who knew they were being prayed for. The study concluded, that the patients who knew they were being prayed for may have experienced a performance anxiety. (See how I included the name of the study in my sentence so it doesn’t just look like I’m making shit up)
Then there’s this quote, “more than 200 studies show that people who have religious faith have lower rates of depression, alcoholism, drug use, and suicide, and also do better handling stress. Moreover, these studies show that young people who are religious tend to be less sexually active and perform better in school, and that religious married couples are happier and less likely to divorce”. I’m sorry, but what does this have to do with Native Americans? Secondly, spirituality is important, but so is sex. It’s a natural, biological need, driven by our species desire to survive. But this was the final straw for me:
In the section dedicated to the healing powers of massage he writes, “to make sure the massage you receive is truly therapeutic and not of the sexual variety, be sure to visit a therapist with the proper credentials”. Does he think he’s funny? This sounds like something my dad would say and then get mad when nobody laughed.
I wish I had known this book was written by a white man before I bought it, or I never would have picked it up. Maybe it’s naive of me to assume a Native American would’ve written a book about Native Americans… or at least someone who studies Native Americans… This guy studies health and fitness. The arrogance to think it was okay for him to write this book… I just can’t continue.
I bought this book for my November curriculum, which is to learn more about Native Americans. When I tell you, I realized this book was written by a white man within the first chapter. It was so obvious from his arrogant prose.
Firstly, he talks about natives as if they just so happened to stumble upon these magical healing rituals. Like it’s not part of their culture to study and observe their surroundings. Like they weren’t conducting scientific research before white people even know what germs were. His narrative belittles the knowledge of the natives. And then he writes “it’s hard to imagine now, but bathing in any form was considered a sin by the Catholics and Protestants who lives in Western Europe”. No, it’s not hard to imagine. European settlers and wealthy elites were known for being stinky. And they thought the natives were barbaric for bathing… and yet this guy is still writing as if it’s the Europeans who were smarter than the natives…
Another thing he keeps doing is saying “research suggests”, without saying what research. Sure, he puts like 20 citations in the back of the book, but he should be explaining what studies and how they came to these conclusions. I’m not doubting the validity, only that it sounds like he’s just making observations and dubbing them as having been “researched”. He says, “recent studies on the power of prayer in general have found that it can have measurable effects-even when the person being prayed for knows nothing about it!” This, in fact, is false. Though, the one major study done on the power of prayer was conducted after he first published this book, so I guess I’ll give him a pass. The STEP trial, conducted in 2006, showed no significant differences between patients who were prayed for and patients who weren’t. In fact, the group with the worst patient outcome was the group who knew they were being prayed for. The study concluded, that the patients who knew they were being prayed for may have experienced a performance anxiety. (See how I included the name of the study in my sentence so it doesn’t just look like I’m making shit up)
Then there’s this quote, “more than 200 studies show that people who have religious faith have lower rates of depression, alcoholism, drug use, and suicide, and also do better handling stress. Moreover, these studies show that young people who are religious tend to be less sexually active and perform better in school, and that religious married couples are happier and less likely to divorce”. I’m sorry, but what does this have to do with Native Americans? Secondly, spirituality is important, but so is sex. It’s a natural, biological need, driven by our species desire to survive. But this was the final straw for me:
In the section dedicated to the healing powers of massage he writes, “to make sure the massage you receive is truly therapeutic and not of the sexual variety, be sure to visit a therapist with the proper credentials”. Does he think he’s funny? This sounds like something my dad would say and then get mad when nobody laughed.
I wish I had known this book was written by a white man before I bought it, or I never would have picked it up. Maybe it’s naive of me to assume a Native American would’ve written a book about Native Americans… or at least someone who studies Native Americans… This guy studies health and fitness. The arrogance to think it was okay for him to write this book… I just can’t continue.
November 18, 2022
Informative and knowledgeable information when pertaining to herbal medicines. I was intrigued with the healing properties of the herbs that I personally wanted to search the websites and try to connect with others regarding the herbs. To my surprise most of the sites are not valid and those that are valid is led by non Indigenous Americans. How can someone write about their practices but yet not have accurate websites and connections? It’s very disappointing. It’s almost like the world has not focused on healing but only for financial gain. That’s terrible but the book is an ok read. However, it did state that websites change frequently, some discontinued and other being recreated, but if anyone has any information on working legit website please connect with me. Thank you!
February 16, 2023
Good reminder of the healing power of herbs and other healing therapies, like saunas, hot-cold water therapy, living in rhythm with nature... Native people were/are brilliant and beautiful in so many aspects of their living.
November 6, 2019
This was a quick and informative read about herbs used in a natural way. I’ll use this as a reference book in the future. I recommend this book to others.
January 19, 2021
This book is a real keeper. A treasure trove of info about natural healing for the body.
June 13, 2022
I actually love this book. Very informative and backed my science. This book gives you a good balance: the native American side and the scientific side. Both almost always in agreement.
May 17, 2023
4 1/4 stars
April 22, 2024
Amazing for anyone looking for natural remedies.
March 10, 2017
I found this to be interesting but not very detailed. It does give me some ideas for home remedies after checking with an herbalist.
September 10, 2019
An excellent primer on plants and their medicinal properties. Provides a solid, quick reference on many common native and non-native plants found in North America, their uses in healing specific ailments, and how to prepare them for optimal results.
Rated 3 stars because while the foundational information is good, there is quite a bit of subjective perspective not founded in facts interspersed throughout the book. Personally I would prefer a slightly more academic approach that is not coloured with the author’s obvious preferences.
Rated 3 stars because while the foundational information is good, there is quite a bit of subjective perspective not founded in facts interspersed throughout the book. Personally I would prefer a slightly more academic approach that is not coloured with the author’s obvious preferences.
November 4, 2015
This book was informative and visually appealing. Because it is mainly a reference, it would have been useful to have an index listing the herbs and ailments as well as the remedy practices (e.g., visualization, dream interpretation, sweat lodges, etc.) discussed in order to easily look up information. There is one quote that is mentioned twice in two different sections (editor?). A more diversified base of scholarly references would take this book to the next level. All in all, this book presents a cursory look at many of the Native American healing traditions and will leave you pining for more.
June 17, 2013
I am using this book as a reference guide while writing a fictional novel about prehistoric Americans. There are numerous books on the market about Native American healing, but this is the most useful one I have found so far.
I like how the book is organized by plant or by ailment. The only thing I believe missing from this book is an index. I would love to be able to look up a plant or ailment and be guided to those pages.
Most people will not read this book cover to cover. It is a reference guide, in my opnion, a very good reference guide.
I like how the book is organized by plant or by ailment. The only thing I believe missing from this book is an index. I would love to be able to look up a plant or ailment and be guided to those pages.
Most people will not read this book cover to cover. It is a reference guide, in my opnion, a very good reference guide.
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January 19, 2014I liked this book. It appears to be a good introduction to the use of herbs as medicine. Emphasis on mind-body connection. "The lifeforce that moves through the roots of a dandelion was thought to be the same lifeforce that moves through us. And this force could be felt and understood by anyone patient and attentive enough to listen."
August 22, 2014
A very interesting book relating to the customs and practices of Native Americans regarding herbs, remedies and practices that restore the body, mind and soul. I love reading about my Native American heritage.
August 19, 2015
So much healing available from native plants. Grateful to native americans who preserved this wisdom from their practice of living in harmony with their natural environment. I love the concept that healing is about nurturing the capacity of the body to heal itself.
June 21, 2008
Interesting to see how native americans used everything. No waste. Maybe we could all learn something. Also interesting to know how many different herbs, etc are used. (or can be used)
September 13, 2011
Very informative; it has a great layout to it as well. Fairly easy to navigate the pages and find what you're looking for.
January 5, 2013
This was an excellent book; a good aid to the world of wild gathering, and a wonderful addition to the knowledge base!
June 4, 2014
Very informative! I enjoy reading about Native Americans and what they used as remedies. Extremely interesting and enlightening!
February 3, 2016
This is such a great resource and has led me to finding a half dozen other books and a sacred healing site near Sedona that I plan to visit in a few weeks.
January 17, 2023
Love herbs
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews