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Complete Herbal: A Safe and Practical Guide to Making and Using Herbal Remedies
This is a guide to the use of herbal remedies in healing. The book offers advice on the diagnosis and safe treatment of a range of diseases and complaints, providing explanations of the body's systems and how to gather herbs and prepare remedies. It also includes an A-Z of herbs.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1987
136 people are currently reading
2203 people want to read
About the author
David Hoffmann
106 books52 followersLibrarian note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
David Hoffmann is a member of Britain’s National Institute of Medical Herbalists. He has taught phytotherapy throughout the English-speaking world through his course, Therapeutic Herbalism. His numerous books nave been translated into at least eight languages and are basic references for both beginning and advanced students.
David Hoffmann has been a clinical phytotherapist since 1978 and has been teaching Herbal Medicine since 1985. He is one of the founding members and a past president of the American Herbalists Guild. He is on the advisory board of the American Botanical Council, the peer-review boards of Herbalgram and the Protocol Journal of Botanical Medicine, and the steering committee of the American Herbal Pharmacopoea. He is the author of 17 books, and teaches phytotherapy throughout the world, including places such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada. He is visiting faculty at Bastyr University, The California Institute of Integral Studies, the National College of Phytotherapy, and the Rocky Mountain School of Botanical Studies. He resides in California.
David Hoffmann is a member of Britain’s National Institute of Medical Herbalists. He has taught phytotherapy throughout the English-speaking world through his course, Therapeutic Herbalism. His numerous books nave been translated into at least eight languages and are basic references for both beginning and advanced students.
David Hoffmann has been a clinical phytotherapist since 1978 and has been teaching Herbal Medicine since 1985. He is one of the founding members and a past president of the American Herbalists Guild. He is on the advisory board of the American Botanical Council, the peer-review boards of Herbalgram and the Protocol Journal of Botanical Medicine, and the steering committee of the American Herbal Pharmacopoea. He is the author of 17 books, and teaches phytotherapy throughout the world, including places such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada. He is visiting faculty at Bastyr University, The California Institute of Integral Studies, the National College of Phytotherapy, and the Rocky Mountain School of Botanical Studies. He resides in California.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 1, 2021
It is really one those few thick reference books you want to keep on your shelf forever and pass down to generations. My grandmother used to refer to her herbal books when I was little and I think it stuck with me so I will stick to the same thing when it comes to home remedies. A herbal companion is always a wise thing to have and I am glad I found Hoffmann because his knowledge is both holistic and scientific plus his recommendations seem to work well. There is one other book on herbalism that I believe will bring the same kind of benefits to the table and that is Sajah Popham's Evolutionary Herbalism.
October 22, 2020
“The use of herbs for healing brings us immediately into touch with our world in a profound and uplifting way. Many ills of our culture stem from our sense of separation from the Earth, the ground of our being.”
“If we slightly shift our view, we can see that we are really part of the whole of ecology, not separate from it. When we are healed with the help of plants, a part of the ecology is healed. By healing our bodies and our minds we will be more present as whole beings.”
“If we slightly shift our view, we can see that we are really part of the whole of ecology, not separate from it. When we are healed with the help of plants, a part of the ecology is healed. By healing our bodies and our minds we will be more present as whole beings.”
January 2, 2013
I am currently studying Herbal Medicine so this is one of the first purchases I made. I now own a collection of Phytotherapy books and I still turn to 'Holistic Herbal' for simple, clear, easy to read information on herbs and their medicinal properties.
I love how this book is divided up into all of the organ systems, diseases, herbs from A-Z and their chemical constituents and properties. The back of the book contains a quick cross reference guide to each herb, botanical names, parts used, constituents, actions, indications, prep and dosage including tinctures and teas.
David Hoffman is holistic and scientific, not just scientific. How herbal Medicine should be.
I highly recommend this book for those interested in herbs and for those who are studying. It will always be a good reference.
I love how this book is divided up into all of the organ systems, diseases, herbs from A-Z and their chemical constituents and properties. The back of the book contains a quick cross reference guide to each herb, botanical names, parts used, constituents, actions, indications, prep and dosage including tinctures and teas.
David Hoffman is holistic and scientific, not just scientific. How herbal Medicine should be.
I highly recommend this book for those interested in herbs and for those who are studying. It will always be a good reference.
May 31, 2015
This is a great book for finding specific treatment for your own personal needs. It simply lists out the name of the herb and which part of your body it heals. This is a great reference book for a beginner wanting to learn more about medicinal uses of herbs.
February 20, 2022
ok, but very light on the scientific details and studies. Also light on contraindications.
If you want one book for using herbs responsibly, this isn't in-depth enough in my opinion, though perhaps it's ok as an intro to start things off.
The Herbs and Natural Supplements books by Lesley Braun & Marc Cohen are much, much more detailed and in-depth with lots of studies backing everything up, so out of the few herb books I've checked out, that's the one I'd go to at the moment. Gotta still check out Kerry Bone & Michael Tierra's books.
If you want one book for using herbs responsibly, this isn't in-depth enough in my opinion, though perhaps it's ok as an intro to start things off.
The Herbs and Natural Supplements books by Lesley Braun & Marc Cohen are much, much more detailed and in-depth with lots of studies backing everything up, so out of the few herb books I've checked out, that's the one I'd go to at the moment. Gotta still check out Kerry Bone & Michael Tierra's books.
September 8, 2018
This book contains pretty much all you ever need to know about herbs to use them in your life. It has sections on different body systems and illnesses, plant biochemistry, making tinctures/creams/decoctions etc and a complete list of herbs and their actions at the end (materia medica). My copy is falling to pieces through overuse and despite having over twenty herbals, it still my first place to look. Probably the best £10 I ever spent!
December 11, 2022
The information in this book is absolutely worth it. MY only issue was that I had the Kindle version, which is pretty bad.
I went with an encyclopedia style guide to keep for reference, but this book has better recipes if you need more guidance in herbal remedies.
Opt for the print version.
I went with an encyclopedia style guide to keep for reference, but this book has better recipes if you need more guidance in herbal remedies.
Opt for the print version.
October 27, 2022
One of my favorite herbal reference books. I have used this so often it is coming apart.
Easy to research herbal medicine. Set up by systems of the body. 3 indexes. Also pleasant just to read - not only for reference.
Easy to research herbal medicine. Set up by systems of the body. 3 indexes. Also pleasant just to read - not only for reference.
January 9, 2023
It's a bit outdated re not eating fat because of cholesterol and heart health which is a shame because that makes me doubt the other recommendations and makes me question whether they too are out of date
June 26, 2020
Great info!
July 27, 2020
My go to book on herbalism
March 11, 2024
I'm sure there's good information here. Unfortunately, I can't read it. Large portions of the book are printed in 2-3 point font. With my reading glasses and a magnifying glass, it's still unusable.
July 21, 2024
Very detailed and helpful. Would highly recommend adding to your reference library
January 12, 2025
Brilliant
November 2, 2025
I'll always be reading this.
March 31, 2017
I have read a few dozen herbal books in an attempt to find good references.
This is the first one I've decided to buy.
It isn't perfect. For example, it didn't talk about the potential liver danger of Comfrey even though some other books said Comfrey was for external use only. I realize that the author's experience might lead him to believe Comfrey is safe, but I'd like to at least be alerted to the opposing opinion so I can research it myself.
The book's format relies on herbal actions (e.g. carminative, astringent, tonic). This allows for more concise descriptions and therefore a larger breadth of herbs covered. There is also a nice section linking body systems with their herbal treatments. This is a good starting point for when you know what body part is affected, but don't know the herb(s) affect that part. This section highlights the herbs (in italics) so it is easy to quickly scan the section for relevant herbs and see why the herbs are recommended. For example, if you lookup cranesbill you will see that it is in the digestive section. When you scan the digestive section you will see it in various subsections (I believe it was in the small intestine section as well as a couple others) and there you will see that it is included for it's astringent properties. Many other books just have a list of herbs (or a less well organized disease section) making it harder to discover an herb.
I think this is an excellent resource, but probably needs pairing with at least one other good herbal.
This is the first one I've decided to buy.
It isn't perfect. For example, it didn't talk about the potential liver danger of Comfrey even though some other books said Comfrey was for external use only. I realize that the author's experience might lead him to believe Comfrey is safe, but I'd like to at least be alerted to the opposing opinion so I can research it myself.
The book's format relies on herbal actions (e.g. carminative, astringent, tonic). This allows for more concise descriptions and therefore a larger breadth of herbs covered. There is also a nice section linking body systems with their herbal treatments. This is a good starting point for when you know what body part is affected, but don't know the herb(s) affect that part. This section highlights the herbs (in italics) so it is easy to quickly scan the section for relevant herbs and see why the herbs are recommended. For example, if you lookup cranesbill you will see that it is in the digestive section. When you scan the digestive section you will see it in various subsections (I believe it was in the small intestine section as well as a couple others) and there you will see that it is included for it's astringent properties. Many other books just have a list of herbs (or a less well organized disease section) making it harder to discover an herb.
I think this is an excellent resource, but probably needs pairing with at least one other good herbal.
October 26, 2011
Practical and hands on approach to a herbal this book is divided into 5 main sections:
1. Holistic approach looking at herbs and health and prevention of disease
2. Practical herbalism - good guide to gathering and preparing herbal remedies. Goes into chemistry and action of herbs and has a brief theraputic index (listing ailments and what herbs can be used).
3. Herb index - illustrated with clear and large photos eahc entry briefly describes what the herb is used for, prts used, collection, constituents and how it acts. Also useful highlight boxes on how to prepare the herb and what dosage is appropriate as well as what it can be used in combination with and warnings!
4. Bodily systems - examines each of the main bodily systems and how herbs can be used to strengthen and treat them.
5. Reference section on useful contacts etc
1. Holistic approach looking at herbs and health and prevention of disease
2. Practical herbalism - good guide to gathering and preparing herbal remedies. Goes into chemistry and action of herbs and has a brief theraputic index (listing ailments and what herbs can be used).
3. Herb index - illustrated with clear and large photos eahc entry briefly describes what the herb is used for, prts used, collection, constituents and how it acts. Also useful highlight boxes on how to prepare the herb and what dosage is appropriate as well as what it can be used in combination with and warnings!
4. Bodily systems - examines each of the main bodily systems and how herbs can be used to strengthen and treat them.
5. Reference section on useful contacts etc
November 10, 2012
Published back in the 80s, this is still a handy reference for understanding the ins and outs of herbs, how they grow, their benefits, and more. I really like how they cover and focus on a holistic approach to herbal remedies and their impacts on various systems like our circulatory, respiratory, nervous, digestive, muscular, skeletal, and glandular systems.
Nice, east to understand graphics and illustrations, as well. A good one to keep around the house!
-Reviewed by Bossy K
Nice, east to understand graphics and illustrations, as well. A good one to keep around the house!
-Reviewed by Bossy K
May 7, 2013
very diverse assortment of plants in the reference section - quite thorough and technical. my only issue with this book was the guide to transforming the plants - could be simplified further. if one wants to make oils or balms then there's no need to make a decoction with water then adding oil and simmering the water off. i find this burns the plant material and makes the mix more susceptible to flashing. skipping some of the processes actually makes it easier and less dangerous.
February 19, 2008
Just keep going back to this one b/c it describes in detail how to make your own herbal preparations. Hoffmann gives easy to understand, illustrated instructions and plant identification illustrations that help to demystify a scientific subject.
September 1, 2009
Actually started using this years ago, but recently became re-acquainted during my big binge of wholistic health this summer. Makes herbal medicine exceedingly accessible and appealing. I won't lie: sometimes this is my bedtime reading, like the hippie's DSM or something.
April 2, 2008
This is one of the most comprehensive books on herbal medicine that I have found.
February 1, 2010
Awesome book. My reference for most if remedies that I have used since pregnancy on....
January 11, 2011
still reading it
July 13, 2011
This was bought for me by my herbalist. Great stuff!
October 15, 2017
This has always been my favorite herbal. Learn so much!
January 3, 2016
I do use this book, but not as much as I thought I would. This is mainly because when I am feeling unwell I can't be bothered with the time it takes to gather and prepare the remedies.
October 1, 2013
Good reference book.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews