Field Guide to Medicinal Wild Plants

by Bradford Angier, Arthur J. Anderson (Illustrator)

First-ever revision of a classic guidebook. Information on each plant's characteristics, distribution, and medicinal qualities as well as updated taxonomy and 15 new species. How to identify and use wild plants for medicinal purposes.

Genres: Reference, Gardening, Science, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 1978

Reviews

[Kasey Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only time that I've ever used to cure a medicinal ailment was chewing on pine needles to get rid of a headache, so take this review with a grain of salt. (It worked.)

Pros
I love the illustrations. I know there are a lot of people out there who prefer photographs, but I think well-made illustrations make plant identification easier. The human brain processes pictures as caricatures rather than portraits, and a field guide drawing is essentially a "plant caricature." Also, the art is beautiful.

There is a lot of good information packed into this book. There are plenty of historical references interspersed throughout more typical plant identification and uses. Although this is just the field guide, it also overlaps somewhat with the Bradford Angier Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants.

At least for the plants that grew in my region, those chosen were some of the most ubiquitous.

Cons
The book is arranged alphabetically, which is a little weird unless you already have a working knowledge of plant identification. I would have preferred a more functional arrangement -- either by region or by symptom cured. Overall, a list of symptoms with their plant cures would be a very useful addition to this guide.

I would have preferred a bit more scientific background on why the supposed cures worked. The only time it discussed why a cure was used is in the case of vitamin-rich plants or those containing a salicylic compound. Otherwise, no research is mentioned. (But, I suppose this isn't really what this book is all about.)

[Robert Lewter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bradford Angier has passed a lot of knowledge to me. He definitely was a scholar of nature.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reference; not entirely portable sized.
Drawings; prefer photographs.

Excellent reference that helps one steer clear of mix-ups. I would augment the drawings with actual photos for those plants that might be confused with something more dangerous.

You may be familiar with some of these plants, commonly called weeds, that have restorative qualities—and may grown in your own yard!

If you have health conditions and/or prescription medications, please consult a doctor before using herbs, plants, fruits, etc.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous book, brimming with fascinating and very useful information. Invaluable. Really connects me to the past and those who have gone before me.

[Richard · Rating 2 out of 5]

from a Native perspective, some info was inaccurate.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had some good descriptions of wild plants.