My Top Three Herbal Books

Just found this site. I like The Magic of Flowers by Tess Whitehurst and Rosemary Gladstar books

I couldn’t describe a more influential book as Braiding Sweetgrass as Asia has shared in her description. I too have cried reading almost every chapter. I have recommended this book to many friends, two of which just received their own copies! It is a stunning work and deeply moving. Robin Wall Kimmerer is a brilliant woman, and I’m so grateful she created this beautiful book of art 💗🌿

I was surprised at the three books you mentioned. I have never read them, and I have read a lot of herbal books. My most influential book, for becoming an herbalist was not even Non-Fiction, but Fiction and that was the Clan of the Cave Bear Series by Jean M. Auel. I am going to order Braiding Sweetgrass. Thanks!

you radiate light!!!!!!!! love your energy

Hi Asia, so glad I found you. What a gentle soul you are. I'm glad to see younger people with such a love for nature. I have The Secret Teaching of Plants (I keep lending it out) and Braiding Sweetgrass (that one is going nowhere. It was a gift and I am highlighting it, and blogging about it, and I have probably gotten truth tears but most of all I feel like I have to stop after each chapter and process the gift I just was given). I did get truth tears about a decade ago when I watched The Greening of the Loess Plateau at the beginning of a permaculture class. That was a PROFOUND moment. I had no idea that class would change my life. After an herbalist came to one of our classes I knew that was next for me. I took Rosemary Gladstar's correspondence herbalist course. I've been wanting to make flower essences but haven't yet, so I just ordered the first book you mentioned. I, too, love Matthew Wood's books and his 3 Earthwise Herbal books are prominent in my practice.

The Lost Language of Plants by Buhner just blew me away. I had those tears that of deep connection that you mention here while reading it over and over, and I feel everyone should read it. I'm also deeply grateful for everything Michael Moore has done...

Your essence is so soothing! Keep up the good work!

I relate to the truth cries. I am over halfway through braiding sweetgrass and cry so often I have to be mindful of when and where I’m listening to it. Another that has changed my life, even though I’m only 3/4 of the way through, is Women Who Run With Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes As a parent, Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne is one of my all time favorites and changed many things about my home and parenting style.

Asia. I’m so glad I somehow stumbled upon you and found you. You are a treasure to my heart. Just listening to you talk about these three particular books, immediately tears started forming—tears of resonant knowing. I am going to order these books right away. Thank you for sharing all of your wisdom, not just here but everywhere you post. I love and appreciate you!

I love braiding sweet grass . Thank you.

Thank you so much . I got braiding sweetgrass and love it ! Haven't a good cry in a while . just what needed 💓

Thank you Asia, I so appreciate you work! 💜

Woah idk if it’s how beautiful a person you are or just the way you articulate your passion but you made me want to buy every single one of these books. I know exactly what you mean by “crying tears of truth” after reading a book that’s so aligned with your life’s purpose. This is such an underrated video. Thank you for sharing. 🙏🏼🤗🙌🏼

Im so thankfull that i found ur video before beginning my journey between herbs . I really appreciate ur work .keep it up😊

Thank you so much for the great recommendations. Dian Dincin Buchman's "Herbal Medicine" was the first book i studied at 18 years old. i found it in my mother's books, and she has no idea how she even got it. I feel like it was meant to be. it was a huge influence on me and was my first experience learning how to work with medicinal plants.

Mostly podcasts and documentaries confirmed the herbal path for me (especially the 1979 film "The Secret Life of Plants") Book wise though, I'd say Plant Spirit Medicine: A Guide to Working with Plant Consciousness by Pam Montgomery, Breaking Open the Head: A Psychedelic Journey into the Heart of Contemporary Shamanism by Daniel Pinchbeck, and Herbal Vade Mecum by Gazmend Skenderi. The last one is more reference than inspirational, but it was the first tool that made me feel really empowered as a beginner herbalist. I also love Thomas Easley's Modern Herbal Dispensatory.

Thank you, dear Asia! These are lovely selections! Decades ago, I read the Carlos Castaneda series and was enthralled by Don Juan's use of sacred plants to travel to other realms. Recently, I took the Medicinal Plants course offered by Cornell University and found myself recalling parts of these books over and over as I went through the curriculum. My mom is from New Mexico and I somehow remembered these plants and my fascination with their hallucinogenic qualities has never left me. I have recently had the urge to re-read them, but I think I will read Braiding Sweetgrass first.

Right after watching this video I went and grabbed myself a copy of The Secret Teaching of Plants and I'm only a few pages in and am already flowing with deep emotions and am quite convinced this is one of the most important books ever. It really puts into words a lot of what I have wondered and worried about. Looking forward to diving deeper into it! Currently reading Braiding Sweetgrass too, such a beautifully wise and incredible book!

Wonderful selections! For me Sastun by Rosita Arvigo definitely. Reading it I felt enthralled--it's a captivating, dynamic story, and Rosita is a gifted story teller--privileged to received wisdom from both Rosita and Elijio Panti, and like I never wanted it to end. I recall rationing myself toward the end, and every night childishly exclaiming, "I love my book!" While not a book, Rosemary Gladstar's writing in her online course has felt deeply influential, truthful, inspiring. And I'm reading Sacred Plant Medicine by Buhner now--I felt ecstatic when I started it, like this is exactly what I need to be reading. It can feel a bit intimidating at times, the way he describes the responsibility and weight of being a healer--Sastun did too. Mostly it is a privilege to receive the deep knowledge he has cultivated.

I know this is not on topic, but your beauty is what comes to mind when someone thinks of the Muses of Greek mythology. The beauty of myth.