AUDIOBOOK
About
• Reveals how herbalism is a powerful way to participate in the green transformation underway in our culture
• Examines the radical and non-hierarchical roots of herbalism, the growth of spiritual awakening and social radicalism
• Looks at the most recent research in herbalism, revealing the exponential growth in peer-reviewed literature covering phytotherapy and other herbal-oriented healing modalities
Providing a comprehensive guide to the dynamic new landscape of modern herbalism, renowned medical herbalist David Hoffmann explores how ancient healing modalities are once again becoming prominent.
Using the concept of viriditas-the understanding of nature as divinely intelligent-Hoffmann examines biodiversity and chemodiversity, elaborating on the ecological role of human-herb interactions and coevolutionary relationships between species. Presenting evidence of medicinal plant use by animals and early humans, he reviews herbalism from its ancient roots to the modern varieties in practice today, emphasizing how herbalism that developed outside of the dominant culture laid the foundations for the effective, simple techniques relevant for our modern world. He examines the radical and non-hierarchical roots of herbalism, considering the parallels between the field's development and the growth of spiritual awakening and social radicalism.
Exploring herbalism through the modern scientific lens, Hoffmann reveals the exponential growth in recent research and peer-reviewed literature on phytotherapy and herbs. He describes the problems inherent in herbalism's integration into the global marketplace, emphasizing that herbalism must stay rooted in the health of the people to avoid becoming commodified. He offers a range of herbal approaches to support personal and cultural resilience during the myriad crises humanity is facing. Ultimately, Hoffmann says, a vibrant culture of herbalism can have critical implications for the future, serving as a crucial force for health and resilience. David Hoffmann, FNIMH, RH(AHG), has been a clinical medical herbalist since 1979. A fellow of Britain's National Institute of Medical Herbalists, he is one of the founding members of the American Herbalists Guild and the author of many books, including Medical Herbalism, The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal, and The Herbal Handbook. He lives in California. PREFACE
Radicle and Radical: My Path to Herbalism
INTRODUCTION
Embrace of the Green
PART ONE
Context
1 The Deep Roots of Modern Herbalism
2 Using Herbs in the Context of a Therapeutic System
3 Names and Numbers: Defining Herbalism
PART TWO
The Science
4 An Old Herbalist Looks at the New Science
5 The Ecological Theater and the Evolutionary Play
6 The Pharmacology of Herbal Synergy
PART THREE
A Path Forward
7 Herbalism Today
8 Reality Check
9 What Is a Simple Herbalist to Do?
CONCLUSION
Herbalism in the Anthropocene
Educational Resources
References
Index
About the Author "Goes far beyond the science of herbalism by deeply connecting us to viriditas, the power of the green. A testament to grassroots herbalism that has always been and will always be, Herbal Intelligence places herbs at the forefront of coping with a precarious future. David's gem of a book illuminates how the power of the green may help us not only survive but thrive." "Herbal Intelligence is a brilliant work with surprising insights. It provides deep historical context for people's herbalism while challenging us to take personal responsibility. As we witness the collapse of various systems-ecosystems, societal structures, health care-it urges us to 'build a resilient medicine chest.' David has given us a practical guide on how local herbs, herbalism, and community herbalists can play a meaningful role in survival and resilience in these increasingly uncertain times." "This book calls for a revolution, a green revolution. It delves into his
• Examines the radical and non-hierarchical roots of herbalism, the growth of spiritual awakening and social radicalism
• Looks at the most recent research in herbalism, revealing the exponential growth in peer-reviewed literature covering phytotherapy and other herbal-oriented healing modalities
Providing a comprehensive guide to the dynamic new landscape of modern herbalism, renowned medical herbalist David Hoffmann explores how ancient healing modalities are once again becoming prominent.
Using the concept of viriditas-the understanding of nature as divinely intelligent-Hoffmann examines biodiversity and chemodiversity, elaborating on the ecological role of human-herb interactions and coevolutionary relationships between species. Presenting evidence of medicinal plant use by animals and early humans, he reviews herbalism from its ancient roots to the modern varieties in practice today, emphasizing how herbalism that developed outside of the dominant culture laid the foundations for the effective, simple techniques relevant for our modern world. He examines the radical and non-hierarchical roots of herbalism, considering the parallels between the field's development and the growth of spiritual awakening and social radicalism.
Exploring herbalism through the modern scientific lens, Hoffmann reveals the exponential growth in recent research and peer-reviewed literature on phytotherapy and herbs. He describes the problems inherent in herbalism's integration into the global marketplace, emphasizing that herbalism must stay rooted in the health of the people to avoid becoming commodified. He offers a range of herbal approaches to support personal and cultural resilience during the myriad crises humanity is facing. Ultimately, Hoffmann says, a vibrant culture of herbalism can have critical implications for the future, serving as a crucial force for health and resilience. David Hoffmann, FNIMH, RH(AHG), has been a clinical medical herbalist since 1979. A fellow of Britain's National Institute of Medical Herbalists, he is one of the founding members of the American Herbalists Guild and the author of many books, including Medical Herbalism, The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal, and The Herbal Handbook. He lives in California. PREFACE
Radicle and Radical: My Path to Herbalism
INTRODUCTION
Embrace of the Green
PART ONE
Context
1 The Deep Roots of Modern Herbalism
2 Using Herbs in the Context of a Therapeutic System
3 Names and Numbers: Defining Herbalism
PART TWO
The Science
4 An Old Herbalist Looks at the New Science
5 The Ecological Theater and the Evolutionary Play
6 The Pharmacology of Herbal Synergy
PART THREE
A Path Forward
7 Herbalism Today
8 Reality Check
9 What Is a Simple Herbalist to Do?
CONCLUSION
Herbalism in the Anthropocene
Educational Resources
References
Index
About the Author "Goes far beyond the science of herbalism by deeply connecting us to viriditas, the power of the green. A testament to grassroots herbalism that has always been and will always be, Herbal Intelligence places herbs at the forefront of coping with a precarious future. David's gem of a book illuminates how the power of the green may help us not only survive but thrive." "Herbal Intelligence is a brilliant work with surprising insights. It provides deep historical context for people's herbalism while challenging us to take personal responsibility. As we witness the collapse of various systems-ecosystems, societal structures, health care-it urges us to 'build a resilient medicine chest.' David has given us a practical guide on how local herbs, herbalism, and community herbalists can play a meaningful role in survival and resilience in these increasingly uncertain times." "This book calls for a revolution, a green revolution. It delves into his