Table of Contents
Contents
List of Illustrations ... xiii
Preface to the Revised Edition ... xv
Introduction ... xxi
Section I: A Cultural Herbal
1 / A Gardener's Almanac: A Walk in Moontime 3
Historical Uses of Herbs 7
The Language of Herbal Folklore 11
2 / The Roots of Mother Nature 17
Native American Ancestry 17;
The Rhythm of the Corn Dance 18;
The Native American Path 20;
The Path of the Healer 21;
The Midewiwin and the Grand Medicine Society 23;
Midewiwin Tonics 24;
Midewiwin Skincare and Personal Hygiene 26;
A Native American Herbal 28;
Origins of Native American Cuisine and Culture 34;
Native American Teas and Beverages 42;
Native American Dye Plants 45
3 / Elixirs of the Jaguar People 49
Chac, the Mayan God of Rain 52;
The Chosen People of Huitzilopochtli 54;
Mexican Cuisine 56;
Cocina Costarriqueña: The Costa Rican Kitchen 61;
The Lords of the Andes 64;
Pachamanca: Peruvian Earth Oven 66
4 / Seeds of Freedom 67
An American Colonial Kitchen Garden 68;
A Colonial Herbal 69;
American Colonial Remedies 75;
North American Native Weeds 80;
The Cooks of Freedom 85;
An American Colonial Cookbook 90
5 / Medieval Knowledge of Simples 103
Medieval Medicine 105;
A Medieval Herbal 106;
Medieval Cuisine 115;
Favorite Medieval Strewing Herbs 117;
Symbolism of the Rosary 121
6 / Western Folk Wisdom 123
The Many Faces of Medical Herbalism 127;
Pioneer Home Remedies of the 1800s 130;
Mother Nature's Golden Rule 137;
Western Tonics 137;
Three Principles of Western Herbalism 138;
Attunement 142;
Preparing Western Tonics 143;
Compresses to Complement Tonics 159
7 / The Land of 1,000 Flavors 161
A Mediterranean Herbal 162;
Mediterranean Flavors 166;
Arabic Herbal Remedies: "Toward the One" 171;
Arabic Cuisine 174;
Mediterranean Herbal Vegetarian Pleasures 177
8 / Ancient Healing of the Mystics 187
An East Indian Herbal 188;
Traditional Ayurvedic Remedies 193;
Traditional Ayurvedic Recipes 197;
East Indian Beverages: Thanda Garam 203;
The Curry Connection 206
9 / Oriental Secrets of Longevity 213
Inner Alchemy 214;
A Chinese Herbal 218;
Chinese Remedies 222;
Chinese Cuisine 224;
How to Brew Tea 231;
The Blessings of a Chinese New Year: Tuan Nien 233
Section II: Grow and Use Your Own Herbs
Herbs for Your Kitchen 295;
Tea Time 296;
Herb Butters 297;
Herb Vinegars and Oils 298;
No-Salt Herbal Blends 300;
Herbal Scents for Honey 303;
Herbs for Your Medicine Cabinet 304
13 / How to Use Essential Oils and Flower Essences 307
The Centers of Consciousness: Chakras 308;
The Crown Chakra 310;
The Visual Chakra 310;
The Throat Chakra 311;
The Heart Chakra 312;
The Vital Energy Chakra 313;
The Sacral Chakra 314;
The Base of the Spine Chakra 315;
The Unnamed Chakra 315;
The Nature of Flower Essences and Essential Oils 316;
How to Distill Essential Oils and Flower Essences 317;
Essential Oils 318;
Aromatherapy from Head to Toe: Herbal Skincare 320;
Aromatherapy Applications 324;
Aromatherapy for Pets 327
Epilogue: The Arms of Mother Nature 329
Section III:
Appendices
