The first in-depth look at the processes by which indigenous peoples throughout the world developed their relationship with and knowledge of plant medicines. A reader-friendly introduction to the sacred nature of plant medicines and their ceremonies, songs, and medicinal uses.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Personal experience, not anthropology:
Despite the scientific-sounding title, this is a spiritual book. There are some quotes from Native American medicine people, but for the most part this is personal experience and interpretation. Definitely worth reading if you are interested in the spiritual aspect of plant medicine.
Amazing!:
A very good book that brings you to experience how our ancestors learned from nature... a book that will bring you back to the roots of life! This book makes you feel "one with the Earth" (sorry for the cliché), makes you aware that you have to be careful with our planet, with our environment and with ourselves... A very clear, good and educational book. By far one of the best in the field!
Excellent:
According to some beliefs, each and every entity of the physical world is permeated by the essence of the Creator and as such it is sacred. Within this framework, herbalists acknowledge the intrinsic sacredness of the plant medicine and act accordingly. This book is an excellent overview of this perspective. It is well written, it's factual and yet it's not dry. I believe the reader will enjoy this book regardless as to whether or not s/he shares the author's opinions.
A CLASSIC!:
Stephen Buhner's book is a welcome contribution. Like Joan Halifax's book Shamanic Voices, Sacred Plant Medicine is a classic text in the field of shamanic literature. It is the first text to track the commonalities between indigenous peoples in their learning of plant medicines, showing that among all Earth peoples the plants themselves taught their uses as medicine. The book explores the main themes in such sacred plant medicine and from the writer's words the luminous world that Hildegard of Bingen... more info
