Reviews
Praise for The Art of Herbal Healing
5/5
“Susan Clearwater masterfully weaves her experiences as herbalist and healer with her background as a holistic nurse to create one of the most comprehensive and insightful books available on herbal healing. Everything is covered here, from the history of herbal medicine to extensive individual plant profiles to gardening, plant conservation and sustainable harvesting, to Medicinal Preparation and safety issues. The Art of Herbal Healing is truly a wonderful new guide to the ancient art of herbal healing.”
Rosemary Gladstar, herbalist and author
5/5
“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.”
Steven Foster, Best-selling herbal author, international herbal photographer and medicinal plant consultant
5/5
“I know that Susan with her life’s experience as a mother, teacher, holistic nurse, and herbalist is a person to be honored for this chosen path and vast accumulated knowledge. Susan certainly welds the power of the green spark. It took 25 years to write The Art of Herbal Healing, but that’s what it takes to give the world such an amazingly complete herbal. The Art of Herbal Healing is an engaging and well-thought out great green treasure-trove, much more than just a materia medica. It is a vast herbal text that can be used by herb schools and all plant people and their families. This book gives all a path to further our direct relationship with plants, important since there would be no humans or animals without them. Even with so much information available here, it is presented in an easy to understand and interesting format with great illustrations.
I consider this book an herbal bible that will stand the test of time.”
Paul Strauss, Equinox Botanicals, sanctuary steward, author of The Big Herbs
5/5
I LOVE this amazing book!
Every perspective pertaining to herbs is found with these pages.
Susan Clearwater gives a complete run-down of herbal care, including how to plant, grow and harvest herbs, along with how to make medicines & salves. Each plant is discussed for healing properties, and the spirits of the plants are considered in the teachings.
Part-guide, part-textbook, with lovely pictures and drawings, this is a rich, easy-to-understand treasure trove of how to look to herbs for health and healing.
Jose M. - 1/21/20
5/5
This book is a very informative and easy to read book on how to grow and use herbs to promote health and well being. It is a must have manual for anyone interested in learning more about wholistic health and how to take control of one's own health in a natural way.
Barbara Bonchek
5/5
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful sacred history of herbs.The Art of Herbal Healing is by far the most thorough and complete teaching manual on how to grow, harvest, and use herbs for salves, tinctures, and all forms of herbal healing. Also a beautifully written story of the history of herbs from the Native Americans and all the predecessors to the current time. Especially delightful are the inclusions of the divas for each herb and the sacred lore. I found it to be spiritual as well as educational.
A Happy Customer - 4/27/19
5/5
5.0 out of 5 stars A must for the beginner and the professional herbalist.
I would like to say a few words about the reference book called, “The Art of Herbal Healing: Guide to Health and Wholeness” written by Susan Clearwater. This is the most complete and must have book for a beginner to learn the history and fundamental basics of herbs up to the trained herbalist to be able to use as a reference along with appreciating the sanctity of how the herbs benefit our bodies and the universe around us.
I met Susan in 1995 as a student in her “hands on” six-month apprenticeship course medicinal herbalism. Under her instruction, I became aware of the benefits and uses of herbs and other plants and the usage of each plant and how a combination can help us and our environment.
I have since relied on her wisdom as a patient of hers to receive the most organic quality of supplements and herbs to help restore what my body was needing. Our friendship has grown over the years as I have received sound advice and support from her to encourage me to build my knowledge and help build my practice as an herbalist.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in using or growing herbs.
Diana - 5/31/21
5/5
This is a fabulous book and I am completely impressed by just how much is packed into its pages.
Learning about herbs is an endless journey of discovery. Susan Clearwater shares her amazing breadth and depth of knowledge and practical experience in such a friendly and well-structured format. She explains everything with great clarity and warmth. The fifty monographs in the materia medica are excellent, going into great depth and examining uses of each herb by body system. This huge book is a treasure and a delight. Reading it gives me so much more insight into all aspects of the plants. I will return to it again and again.
JA - Verified UK Customer
5/5
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book
Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2020
Verified Purchase
This book is excellent & has useful information for natural healing. I'd recommend this book to have as an easy workbook on your path for healing.
Chris Edwards - 11/16/20
5/5
This is a fabulous book and I am completely impressed by just how much is packed into its pages.
Learning about herbs is an endless journey of discovery. Susan Clearwater shares her amazing breadth and depth of knowledge and practical experience in such a friendly and well-structured format. She explains everything with great clarity and warmth. The fifty monographs in the materia medica are excellent, going into great depth and examining uses of each herb by body system. This huge book is a treasure and a delight. Reading it gives me so much more insight into all aspects of the plants. I will return to it again and again.
A Herbalist - UK - 9/4/19
5/5
When I purchased this book, my intention was to read it in parts and pace myself, but I loved it so much I read every chance I could. The amount of practical information this book contains is mindblowing. I also found it to be an emotional read, which I was not expecting. Susan addresses the communion that happens between plants and the tenders of those plants, the spiritual nature of having such a relationship. This book has brought me to tears many times because of its conceptual beauty.In addition to all of the above, this book provides not only information for the beginner but also can act as a resource for the seasoned herbalist ....AND as a guide to how to walk gently, naturally and balanced in this world.I bought a copy for a friend of mine who is a pretty seasoned gardener/herbalist in the making. She said that she opened the cover and started to cry because it felt like coming home to her.To be blunt, I freaking adore this book. I hope that you will too 🙂Absolutely 5 stars!!!!!!
Fire Dragon - 6/11/19
5/5
This book really helped me with my health and how to use herbs when I am sick. I highly recommend it! It provides everything you need to know about medicinal herbalism. With step by step instructions, it is easy to use. The author has over 30 years of nursing experience and is an expert on medicinal herbs. She grows her own herbs and creates her own salves and tinctures and provides user friendly instructions how to make them yourself. Save money and make your own herbal preparations.
M.K. Steele - 3/8/19
5/5
I love this book!! This book is a true reference book. I bought this book to learn more about herbs for my own and my family's healing. I wanted to learn about growing them and making salves and tinctures from them. This book satisfied my needs and more. Susan has create an easy to use book that allows the plants to come alive with pictures, uses and background information that allows you to make good decisions in herb use. This is a book I can grow with as I become a skilled herbalist. I have many books, but this is my Herbal Bible!
Jennifer Wright - 4/30/19
5/5
Out of a lifetime of practice in the field of herbal healing, Susan Clearwater has written a comprehensive handbook that stands apart. Whether you are a novice looking for a reference on individual herbs and their medicinal properties, or you're a health & wellness professional researching best practices for cultivation and preparation, The Art of Herbal Healing: A Guide to Health and Healing serves a diverse audience. This is a chance to access years of knowledge and experience distilled into one vital handbook. It's definitely a book to own!
Peter J Madden - 4/11/19
5/5
The layout is easy to find what you want. This book has excellent plant descriptions & how to cultivate, herbal remedies, and a thorough index for health issues.
Jo - Verified US Customer - 6/20/19