The Modern Herbal Dispensatory: A Medicine-Making Guide

Some people call this a simple book.But then some people call this an advanced book.When you know what you are doing and you already hold so much knowledge and have so many books as it is that go into such great depth of each herb, what it does, and all the pictures you could possibly need, yes a condensed recipe book is extremely nice to have and is a unique addition to my library.This book is not meant for you to be learning about your herbs.This book is meant for you to know your herbs.Beginners won't necessarily know what to do with this book unless they have all the herbs and are on a hands on learning.There are no pictures, another thing beginners would find useful and tend to prefer.Because the descriptions are short,beginners can take it as a short introduction with recipes to try and have other books to dive into detail of what interests them.For advanced herbalists, such as myself,I must admit, the first sentence I read of an herb was of how deep roots grew of alfalfa, and how it goes further than what other plants can reach. I have a vast book library. That was more than the it has deep roots offered by my other books. Impressive and couldn't be a better sign.So, advanced herbalists, the short descriptions of things seems more of a brush up of what you are making and the recipes are amazing. I have nothing like this on my shelves.I would say this is directed more towards those who are already immersed in herbalism,but welcome beginners, for the overviews give you a quick sense of what there is to offer when making your own herbal medicines--what you can make and the herbs that are used so you can be directed to study those specific herbs to start your journey with herbalism. You will be back to this book as your knowledge grows.Someone complained of sources being listed in the herbs and make it come off like an advertisement and why not just list in the appendix.The sources for the herbs vary within certain companies, and the person who made the comment lacks realization how helpful the authors have made it for herbalists to obtain seeds/herbs. These aren't all your everyday herbs, and putting a company or companies with the herb is very helpful instead of cross referencing a list. (also makes a lil more space to write notes) but that is my opinion on that.I digress,I find myself nodding along while reading and giving every now and again a 'Oh, look at that, that herb is being used like that.'This is a must have book for advanced herbalists. A bonus for those who have great ease in cross referencing to other books.It is unlike anything I have in my close to 30 books herbal library.

In the 1970’s the Western World was anxious, angry and turning upon itself. The Vietnam War had pitted one generation against another, the Cold War had whittled away at idealism and hope, and the pride and rejoicing in the material gains arising from the optimism and relief inspired by the ending of World War II had turned to shame. Capitalism and triumphalism were in retreat.Seemingly out of nowhere, nature and the simple life of self-sufficiency beckoned to the middle classes. People who lived in city townhouses and spent their days arm-wrestling over the right to place their foot on the next wrung of the corporate ladder started wearing jeans and lying on the floor with their wives at night pouring over The Whole Earth Catalogue and The Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency, learning how to spread cow dung on vegetable gardens, and how to skin a pig ready for pickling. The evolution from subsistence farming to industrialization, to the age of technology, which had delivered such prosperity, and the extension of life, was forgotten as people turned their backs and headed out into the wilds to establish “smallholdings” where they could work from dawn to dusk to put food on the table, paraffin in their lamplights, and home schooling for their barefoot children.Just as the Bible had been clutched to the bosoms of pioneers riding their wagons out west two centuries earlier, so too was there a bound tome that these escapist smallholders clutched to their bosoms in the 1970s. That book was Mrs Grieves’ Modern Herbal.It is easy to understand why. Nature was a foreign land. There was no Google to look up for an explanation. What plants would kill you? Which one’s would make you well? How to recognize them; to handle them; to avoid or preserve them? Mrs Grieve — all 888 pages of her — was there to hold your hand through the dark days and nights.I know, because I had a copy, and when my wife left me she took it. So, it was with great relief that I was able to buy this new edition on Amazon and open the first entry to read of Abscess Root that its Medicinal Action and Uses were: “Astringent, alterative, diaphoretic, expectorant. The drug has been recommended for use in febrile and inflammatory cases, all scrofulous diseases, in bowel complaints requiring an astringent, for the bites of venomous snakes and insects, for bronchitis and laryngitis, and whenever an alterative is required.”At last, I feel safe again.

Lovely nook bought as a gift but lots of usefulInfo if this topic interest you

This book teaches you as well as gives you tons of recipes about all the different types of herbal uses. It’s amazing and I have learned so much from this book I highly recommend it. It’s very easy to read and understand, also it’s a good size 362 pages.

The good thing about this book is it’s obvious the authors have extensive hands on experience working with herbs. There’s a lot of tips and nuances that they offer which makes me really enjoy reading this book. There’s so much to learn. The book also includes a section on herbs and their properties including some that are difficult to find info on. The only thing is that the authors present a multitude of solvents for herbal extractions but they have a clear preference for alcohol extracts which I personally try to stear clear of or use as little as possible because of its dampening effects. And there’s a typos that I catch here and there throughout the book. For example,Pg 24 “For many herbs, [alcohol] tinctures are the preferred preparation. However, some people’s religious beliefs prohibit the use of water, and tinctures aren’t recommended for…” What they meant to write was “prohibit the use of alcohol” not water.And then some recipes were written in a confused manner. When suggesting X recipe to avoid the use of Y, the first step in the recipe indicates the use of Y which defeats the whole purpose of this method. Unless the use of Y is optional.I just think this book when and it’s if revised will be of better use. Otherwise this might not be good for extremely beginner herbalists who don’t have the experience to catch these errors and copy them in their own preparations.

Very informative, easy to read, and just amazing!