Opening Our Wild Hearts to The Healing Plants
by Gail Faith Edwards
Review by Linda Conroy
Opening Our Wild Hearts to the Healing Plants is a book that not only offers information, but invites us to have a relationship with the natural world. It is one of the most delightful herbals that I have read! Gail Faith Edwards clearly has a strong relationship with the plants and offers her 20+years of experience through this writing.
This book intertwines scientific facts with the folkloric traditions of herbal healing. The Wise Woman Tradition shines through as she writes about the nutritional as well as healing qualities of over 100 plants. More than simply citing the qualities of the plants she offers history, lore, recipes and suggested uses for each plant.
This herbal offers specific information about harvesting as well as what part of the plant to use and how to prepare it for specific purposes. While reading this book I often feel like I am in the garden with the author harvesting right along side her.
This book contains what many herbals are missing, clear useful information presented in an engaging manner. This book has information that will inspire novice as well as seasoned herbalists. While I can easily describe and share my enthusiasm for this herbal, only by reading it yourself will you find the connection that leaps out from every page.
This is a book that I encourage my apprentices to purchase and I believe it should be included in every herbal library!!