Steven Foster - Best-selling herbal author, international herbal photographer and medicinal plant consultant
“Since publication of the first edition of Nicholas Culpeper's English Physician in 1652, each generation in the modern era has seen publication of an accessible, comprehensive herbal that stands as a testament to herbalism for that time period for future generations. Susan Clearwater's The Art of Herbal Healing: A Guide to Health and Wholeness is one of those herbal touchstones that defines a generation. The book delivers a deep perspective on the fundamentals of herbal medicine, covering the roots of herbal healing traditions, along with clear, concise foundations for understanding where herbs come from. Detailed information infused with experience guides the reader through the broad-ranging practical guidance on herb preservation and preparations, along with details on herbal combinations. An essential explanation and pathway to understanding chemical constituents of herbs and their relevance to herbal healing is a welcome primer to what can be an intimidating subject. An excellent narrative on defining commonly used terms on the qualities of herbs provides more detail to help decipher how herbs work and heal. Next, the heart of the book, a materia medica of fifty common herbs, which includes the full range of topics outlined above for each of the herbs. Susan embraces tradition with heart and delivers science with compassion. A single word comes to mind as I peruse and mingle my thoughts with the information and ideas within these pages, and that word is comfort. The book invites you to become confident with understanding and experiencing herbs to integrate your own health into nature herself. It is a practical guide for herbalism today. It doesn't shy away from philosophical and spiritual underpinnings that might make some scientists squirm in their lab coats, yet at the same time, Susan blends traditional wisdom with scientific understanding in a comprehensive and practical style. It provides a thorough deep-dive into each herb, leading one to explore further. An important feature of the book is that it is fully referenced throughout. This is a book I wish I had at the beginning of my herbal interests over four decades ago.”