Mother Nature's Herbal: A Complete Guide for Experiencing the Beauty, Knowledge & Synergy of Everything That Grows Book

List of Illustrations     xiii
Preface to the Revised Edition     xv
Introduction     xxi
A Cultural Herbal
A Gardener's Almanac: A Walk in Moontime     3
Historical Uses of Herbs     7
The Language of Herbal Folklore     11
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
Elixirs of the Jaguar People     49
Chac, the Mayan God of Rain     52
The Chosen People of Huitzilopochtli     54
Mexican Cuisine     56
Cocina Costarriquena: The Costa Rican Kitchen     61
The Lords of the Andes     64
Pachamanca: Peruvian Earth Oven     66
Seeds of Freedom     67
An American ColonialKitchen 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
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
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
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
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
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
Grow and Use Your Own Herbs
How to Organically Grow Herbs     239
Amend the Soil     240
The Fine Art of Sowing Seed     241
Check the Roots     243
Begin Planting     243
Mulching     245
Hints about Compost     247
Tips on Watering     249
Root Division     250
Cuttings     251
How to Feed Your Herbs     252
How to Feed the Bugs     253
Common Deficiencies: How to Spot the Problem     254
What Herbs to Grow: A Beginner's Herbal     255
Companion Planting and Landscaping     263
Advice on Pest Control     264
What's Eating Your Herbs?      265
Natural Insecticides     267
Herbs that Repel Insects     269
Companion Herbs: Herbs that Grow Well Together     271
How to Accent Your Landscape with Herbs     272
Theme Gardens for Herbs     275
Landscaping with Old Roses     286
Healing from the Heart     290
The Harvest: Mother Nature's Bounty     293
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
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
Appendices
Growing Chart     335
Origins of Old Roses     339
A Guide to Nutrients     341
Purchasing Guide     345
Classification of Old Roses     347
Glossary     351
Bibliography     369
Acknowledgments     375
Index     377
Recipe Index     399