What Are Herbal Remedies Or Medicine?

Herbal medicine in an elementary sense can be defined as one of the oldest and still one of the most widely utilized systems of medicine employed by general practitioners and medical experts in the world today. 

It basically states that it is the kind of medicine derived exclusively from plants. Furthermore, herbal remedies are used in all societies and are essentially part of all cultures around the world. 

Going further on establishing what Herbal remedies or medicine mean; 

You can say there are many different options that come to mind when talking about herbal medicine that spring from different cultures from around the world.

They all obviously have the use of medicinal plants in common, but consequently vary in the plants they use, the methods of preparation and ultimately the usage of said medicines from these specific plants.

In addition, you would note, the clearly defined philosophy of the entire process of production and the approaches considered in the course of effecting treatment. 

Different cultures the world over, could use the same plants in preparing their herbal remedies but may differ in how they are applied or the parts to be utilized.

Monetization of Herbal Remedies

Herbal medicines or remedies are getting significant attention in global health deliberations.

In China, for instance, traditional herbal remedies played a prominent role in the strategy to combat and treat a disease that at one point ravaged the world, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Going further, eighty per cent of Africa’s populations use some form of traditional herbal medicine or remedy.

Financial analysts have set up models over time to study trade patterns for these herbal remedies and correlated these data with the worldwide annual market and can conclude that revenue for these products approaches 60 billion US Dollars.

 It is the hope of many countries governments that traditional herbal remedies or medicine research will play a critical role in the global health outreach.

Countries like China, India, Nigeria, the United States of America, Canada and Thailand have all made substantial research investments in developing traditional herbal medicines.

Numerous high capital industries have also over time invested millions of United States dollars in the search for promising medicinal herbs and novel chemical compounds that will broaden the market.

Safety and Effectiveness of Herbal Remedies or Medicines

Herbal remedies or medicines are generally considered to be safe and effective agents in treating various diseases.

Therefore, people are now more amenable to the idea of using herbal medicine because they believe that plant based remedies are devoid of undesirable side effects.

In some cases, though, medicinal plants can be toxic intrinsically or when taken in combination with other herbal remedies or orthodox medication.

Potential Side Effects Of Herbal Remedies

Herbal remedies or medicines may produce some negative side effects such as allergic reactions, rashes, asthma, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and a loose bowel that can range from mild to severe.

Like every other prescription medications, herbal remedies or medicines should always be prescribed by a qualified and registered medical practitioner.

20 Best Herbal Remedies Or Medicines Books Of All Time

And now to the main topic of conversation, we will now look at the 20 best books that highlight herbal medicines or remedies;

1. The Healing Power of Herbs: Medicinal Herbs for Common Ailments

The Healing Power of Herbs

This book is by Tina Sams. Identifying the Healing Power of Herbs very early on, will help you without any doubts, get to grow, prepare, and utilize herbs to treat and provide protection for yourself and your family.

Studies over centuries and generations, have proved that herbs have been made a priority for their numerous benefits and advantages to our minds, bodies and general well-being. 

You can find currently that as ready information about herbal medicine or remedies are more widely available, many more people are inventing and making use of their own herbal remedies right in the convenience of their homes.

This great book makes well to accurately provide clear descriptions of at least 30 vital herbs that are easily accessible and not too tasking to grow.

You will also find in the book, reasonably simple guidance for using these specific herbs for your specific medicinal needs.

The book also has wonderful collaborations with other herbal enthusiasts and professionals chiming in to make it an even better read.

Additionally, people will enjoy this book not just because of the way it is structured with a chapter for each herb, but also because of the captivating conversational style the writer employs in writing the book. 

You find yourself breezing through the book, especially because stacked full of recipes for things from salves to ointments, to a wide variety of teas, bath items and even quite a few good food recipes.

The book is highly recommended for beginners in this field of herbal remedies, and also people whose heavy involvement with herbs has not been toward medicinal interest as often as food applications.  


2. Herbs For Long-Lasting Health

By Rosemary Gladstar.

|Front Cover

This book, as I joyfully discovered, highlights the best way to treat stress, anxiety, depression, and more with simple herbal remedies that calm your mind, forms the basis of a healthy nervous system, and fosters a prolonged period of peace. 

The book mainly serves as an informative guide, where globally recognized herbalist Rosemary Gladstar focuses on 21 herbs that have been established to be very potent at treating random ailments like insomnia, panic attacks, skin conditions, and severe headaches.

You can tell directly from the first chapter, from the simple instructions for making herbal mixtures that can be used in delicious teas, tinctures, and capsules, the writer shows you how to utilize the power of nature to obtain a remarkably more relaxed and satisfying life.

I like to imbibe a certain motto that states that “It's not just about how long you lived, it's more about how well you lived!”.

In that light globally renowned herbal specialist Rosemary Gladstar, serves as our guide on the path to fantastic, vibrant health and well-being heading into our collective middle age and hopefully beyond that.

This well written exciting book outlines the rejuvenating and healing properties of dozens of specific herbs.

The writer shows you how to enhance your general well-being when approaching middle age and beyond making use of herbal medicine or remedies that rapidly and safely promotes vitality. 

The writer extensively delves into the profiles of 22 medicinal herbs, complete with preparation instructions and dosage guidelines.

Reading further, you'll be amazed at how herbal remedies can help support your nervous system, regulate your metabolism, and ensure your bones and joints are healthy.

3. A Guide To Home-Grown Herbal Remedies

By Julie Bruton-Seal and Matthew Seal.

Home Remedies | Book by Julie Bruton-Seal, Matthew Seal | Official  Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster

Taking a drive around your neighborhood, you can’t help but notice that there are a wealth of plants growing abundantly all around the roadsides, throughout the cities and even closer to home, like in your own backyard.

These scenarios perfectly encapsulate the fact that alternative medicine and natural remedies truly reach into every aspect of our lives. You can easily get a bowl and garden shears and harvest as much as needed to prepare whatever herbal remedy you need. 

These plants previously aforementioned, possess innumerable medicinal uses that people may have largely overlooked. The knowledge of these herbal medicines or remedies are usually passed from one generation to the next, usually from parent to children.

Even with the surprising disdain the younger generation seem to have for these herbal remedies and the attraction to commercial medicine, they are very valuable and will likely never get out of style, no matter how civilized the world gets.

This book is recommended for people who want to improve their health in a completely natural way.

4. A Color Guide To Herbs And Herbal Healing

By Jennie Harding|

Herbs: A color guide to herbs and herbal healing: Harding, Jennie:  9780785835684: Amazon.com: Books

Herbal medicines or remedies have been used by various civilizations over the course of centuries to treat either major and minor ailments.

And as people over time sought more natural methodologies to attaining good health, herbal remedies or medicines have grown to become virtually the most popular modern practice of unconventional medicine.

This writer has successfully been able to illustrate and break down in a comprehensive manner how mostly home grown herbal remedies can be the solution you seek in tackling surprising little illnesses that usually afflict people at odd periods or basically over the course of time. 

The book is a guide on how you can make use of these herbs in the following ways: 

  • A professional providing guidance based on years of experience to interested people on how to cultivate herbs from the comfort of their home and directly in their gardens. 
  • The writer makes a list of common illnesses that affect people around the world and the various herbs that can be used to treat them. The effective way the correlation of the specific illness and the herbs to be applied are detailed in the book are truly remarkable and the writer does a phenomenal job in this regard. 
  • There are chapters in the book dedicated to providing an all-inclusive guidance and rules on how to use herbs safely and consequently effectively.

This book serves as a striking and broad guide to the individualistic and remedial assets of over 130 of the most beneficial healing herbs.

5. Chinese Medicine

By Rachel Gemba.

Chinese Medicine: Stunning Natural Remedies our Ancestors Used to Treat  Illnesses and Cure Sicknesses: Chinese Medicine,Chinese Medicine Book,Chinese  Medicine Recipes, Herbal Remedies,Herbal Medicines by Rachel Gemba,  Paperback | Barnes & Noble®

The writer touches extensively on how civilizations of Chinese ancestry steadily applied the use of multiple herbs to treat and cure Sicknesses.

The Chinese people employed the use of herbal remedies and medicine over thousands of years ago.

They are a very conservative people as you can see even till today and have always strived for self-sufficiency and independence from the western world who they have a strong sense of dislike and suspicion for.

That mindset had propelled different Chinese dynasties to promote herbal remedies to treat its citizens and consequently perfected many remedies.  

The proponents of traditional Chinese remedies or medicines, coupled with its ancient history and knowledge, has been providing solutions for treating people all over the world to cure them and to help them lead a full and healthy life.

The lack of knowledge usually is what makes us vulnerable to sicknesses. When we eventually know natural ways to tackle illnesses then the healing process is expedited.

Therefore, this book should be at the forefront of getting ideas for subscribing to herbal remedies, especially those that are Chinese based knowledge acquired over time. Highly recommended.  

6. Natural Remedies For Kids: The Most Effective Natural, Make-at-Home Remedies and Treatments for Your Child

By Kate Tietje, Bob Zajac.

Natural Remedies for Kids - Kate Tietje and Bob Zajac - 9781592336739 -  Murdoch books

As the book title declares, natural Remedies for Kids, is a very simple journal, if you will, for parents who are prepared to take their family's health into their own hands by utilizing over 100 natural herbal medicines and remedies to help common sicknesses that can be contracted at home. 

It is ideal to have this book somewhere accessible to reference during desperate times or emergencies instead of rushing off to the doctor at the first sign of the sniffles or running temperature!

That moment of pause the knowledge the book provides, helps people to fully grasp what each symptom may be a sign of, how to help treat that symptom naturally, and how to help your ward get the comfort he or she requires comfortably until the sickness is completely treated.

The calming influence of the book also help the parent to carefully ascertain if the symptoms discovered may be serious enough to demand a visit to the doctor for possibly further treatment.

I would advise parents with very young kids to purchase this book from any of the online stores or a reputable book store as soon as possible. Get two copies if possible too.

7. Secret Medicines From Your Garden: Plants for Healing, Spirituality, and Magic,

By Ellen Evert Hopman.

Secret Medicines from Your Garden | Book by Ellen Evert Hopman | Official  Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster

If there was ever a fairy tale book about how a group of wonderful elemental creatures who have decided to provided mankind with a book that provides a guided exploration of herbal lore plus healing plants found in yards, forests, meadows, fields, this would be it.

The book is inspired by teachings on herbal medicines drawn from traditional knowledge and mixtures from around the world, especially from Native American, Celtic, Chinese and Egyptian traditions. The old ways aren’t to be scoffed at as would be discovered after embracing the message in this book. 

The writer elaborates on simple recipes to safely make herbal medicines from local plants by combining honey for quick first aid, to boost the immune system and to treat common illnesses. 

Putting together ancient wisdom, mystical tales and modern plant research, this brilliant writer and herbalist Ellen Evert Hopman considers the multiple uses of flowers, trees, shrubs, ornamental plants and fibers for producing food, medicine, spiritual growth, and odd rituals. 

The writer sheds light on the herbal teachings surrounding each plant, directly inspired by traditional knowledge and remedies from around the world.

She makes sure to includes recipes throughout the book so you can make herbal remedies or medicines from wild and domesticated plants easily accessible in yards, forests, meadows, and neighborhood gardens.

She ensures to disclose what to plant in the apportioned land to ensure you have leaves, berries, and flowers all year round.

The writer discusses how to very quickly identify a relatively unknown plant's properties using the signatures of the plants, meaning, clear universal indications and converse indications based on the plants form, color, growth and area of most impressive yield.

The writer adds a detailed section on “honey and Bee Medicine”, that grants you a better appreciation of the labors undertaken by these plant-dependent insects. 

The book tender’s pointers on how to easily integrate wild plants into your diet and everyday living to receive their healing benefits all through the different seasons.

She unabashedly harps on the power of the multiple herbal blessings that Mother Nature has provided right under our noses for our use and survival.

8. A Complete Guide To The Natural Magic Of Herbs, Flowers And Essential Oils: The ultimate Book of Shadows for practicing Wiccan Herbal Magic.

By Athena Crowley.

Amazon.com: Wicca Herbal Magic: A complete Guide to the natural Magic of  Herbs, Flowers and Essential Oils. The ultimate Book of Shadows for  practicing Wiccan Herbal Magic. eBook: Crowley, Athena: Kindle Store

I suggest you go through in its entirety to help you be the best version of yourself. Confidence in your health helps you in putting your best foot forward at all times.

This work is designed to pique your interest in a unique way as regards the healing properties of herbalism, or in this case the magical worlds of Wicca.

This is for the skeptics who are unsure how herbs affect magic in a bizarre way.

When you have been able to fully grasp the fantastic ideas this book postulates, you can then settle on which herbs to start with on your journey towards attaining herbal knowledge and healing.

The world of Herbal/traditional remedies mixed with the seemingly mystical Wiccan tradition, this book focuses on, can seem overwhelming at first, because of how incredibly outer worldly it may initially seem.

But once you get into it, it seems rather easy to grasp and practice for your benefit.

And so once you begin, you experience it as a magical journey, discerning the ways we can cleanse or heal ourselves with this natural magic, getting the education on how herbs can affect our daily lives through demonstration. 

Putting aside prejudice and fear and reading this book with the right intention, you learn how herbs and their benefits have been so matted into human civilization for thousands of years supporting us to grow, learn and improve ourselves.

9. Alkaline Herbal Medicine: Reverse Disease and Heal the Electric Body.

By Aqiyl Aniys.

Alkaline Herbal Medicine: Reverse Disease And Heal The Electric Body by Aqiyl  Aniys

This rather complicated topic of Alkaline Herbal Medicine, gives a rare insight into the various herbs used to reverse diseases in, the critically acclaimed Dr. Sebi’s African Bio Mineral Balance. 

The book goes at length to cover logically supported properties, preparation, doses and dosages, and how to competently combine herbs to effect treatment and healing. 

The writer from his somewhat borrowed knowledge takes time to identify alkaline foods established on the Dr. Sebi’s nutritional guide.

Their chemical affinity and general support of the electric neurons of the body. 

The study here establishes that the natural order in life has designed the body to be automatically healthy and progress towards healing under the right conditions.

These conditions are biologically programmed into the DNA of all human beings and are expected to take hold naturally. 

10. Sweet Remedies: Healing Herbal Honeys

By Dawn Combs.

Sweet Remedies: Healing Herbal Honeys: Combs, Dawn: 9781612129921:  Amazon.com: Books

Taking in the attractive cover of this book, should already give you an inkling towards where the writer would be taking us.

It would be safe to declare that “medicine just got a whole lot sweeter”!

Tell me someone who does not look forward to taking their medicine, when it comes dripping literally in honey.

You can remember the days as a child when you are coaxed to take slightly bitter medicines and then bribed with a sweetener, like jam or in most cases, honey. 

It has been long established that, honey is well known for its healing properties. Be it for clear skin, digestion, respiratory illnesses or general well-being.

When added in the process of making herbal remedies or medicine, to medicinal herbs and fruits, it immediately turns natural remedies or herbal recipes that can be unpleasant tasting into a treat to consume. 

11. Herbs For Common Ailments: How to Make and Use Herbal Remedies for Home Health Care

By Rosemary Gladstar.

Herbs for Common Ailments eBook by Rosemary Gladstar - 9781612124322 |  Rakuten Kobo United States

Gleaning from this bestselling work, the author and master herbalist Rosemary Gladstar breaks down and identifies how you can use at least 56 common herbs, to safely treat a plethora of everyday sicknesses and conditions. 

Touching on common place and yet serious issues from burns, scratches, wounds, cuts and bruises to headaches, congestion, and insomnia.

The writer Rosemary Gladstar offers a wide variety of not too complicated ways to make recipes for herbal remedies or medicines, that will provide succor for your discomforts without the most times toxic ingredients found in commercial pharmaceuticals.

It should be the goal to keep your family happy, healthy, thriving and safe with the natural healing influence of herbs, that is extensively covered in this book.

12. Herbal Remedies Handbook.

By Andrew Chevallier.

Herbal Remedies Handbook by Andrew Chevallier - Penguin Books New Zealand

This is a divine body of work that discusses herbal medicines or remedies that are easy to grasp and comes with astounding pictorial representations.

This is an ideal book to read while on a plane, bus or train ride, as it would, I hope, match the idyllic scenery rushing past your bus or train window.

The knowledge in the book is easy to assimilate and is quite relatable, with anecdotes that usually strike a chord as you turn the pages.

13. Reverse Heart Disease Naturally

Cures for high cholesterol, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, blood clots, aneurysms, myocardial infarcts and more.

By Michelle Honda.

Reverse Heart Disease Naturally: Cures for high cholesterol, hypertension,  arteriosclerosis, blood clots, aneurysms, myocardial infarcts and more. by Michelle  Honda

This book can be seen as a life saver for those seeking the resources or knowledge to reverse heart diseases and its ensuing complications naturally. 

The books claim to fame, as the title proclaims, “Reverse Heart Disease Naturally”, is the authors brilliant ability to set up a clear step by step, do-it-yourself guidelines to help you treat and reverse heart disease together with cures for high cholesterol, blood clots, aneurysms, myocardial infarcts, strokes, hypertension, and arteriosclerosis.

Going further, the author, alongside all the healing remedies provided, adds the necessary dietary regimens and protocols needed for every stage of healing and maintenance after heart complications and cardiovascular diseases.

14. The Herbal Apothecary

By Author | JJ Pursell.

PDF Free The Herbal Apothecary, 100 Medicinal Herbs and How to Use Them,  By: JJ Pursell | Herbal apothecary, Herbalism, Medicinal herbs

Beginners into the journey of utilizing herbal remedies or medicines should be encouraged to commence with the fantastic work of Dr. JJ Pursell.

The writer Dr. Pursell, who is a licensed acupuncturist and board-certified naturopathic physician, has worked with medicinal herbs and remedies for more than two decades.

Coupled with that is her dedication in spreading her work globally by engaging in first hand training of herbalists all over the world.

It is also quite important to state that her works have been backed by the research and expertise, of scientists dedicated to the field of herbal remedies and medicines.

15.  500 Time-Tested Home Remedies 

By, Dr. Linda B. White, Barbara H. Seeber, and Barbara Brownell Grogan

500 Time-Tested Home Remedies and the Science Behind Them: Ease Aches,  Pains, Ailments, and More with Hundreds of Simple and Effective At-Home  Treatments by Linda B. White

In the search for creating every day herbal recipes or medicines for random things like bee stings, insect bites or skin irritations, this book is a must have.

Even going as far as more complicated treatments for heart health remedies, you can always rely on the message of this book, as an enduring and up-front guide to creating your own natural medicine or remedies. 

It comes as a pleasant surprise that many of the recommended components highlighted in this book are affordable, safe, and readily available at your local community store! So, no excuses not to get to work.

16. The Modern Herbal Dispensatory

 By Thomas Easley and Steven Horne. 

Modern Herbal Dispensatory Book– Rite of Ritual

You can learn, from going through the first few pages of this book, knowledge about how to affordably make your own medicines.

You can also expect to learn about so many things, from growing herbs in the most productive ways, to harvesting (including storage) and preparing them for the much needed medicinal usage. 

A very welcome addition to this work are the explanations on the benefits of making use of essential oils and the steadily popular floral waters in this amazing book. 

17. Plant Magic 

By Christine Buckley.

Plant Magic: Herbalism in Real Life by Christine Buckley

It may sound fantastic, but the writer believes you can have a direct, communicative relationship with plants and nature at large without necessarily looking crazy.

Being at one with nature is the focus with the author, in this work.

The writer, Buckley, details extensively the best methods of plant or herbs management including, their drying and storage and how to use them to make herbal remedies or medicines from the comfort of your home.

You will learn, as a reader, the ways to consume your herbal remedies. Be it in the form of a tea brew or fashioned into an easy to use salve or balm.

The teachings also stress on how you can employ the benefits of these plants to boost and strengthen your immune system, going forward.  

The most likely uses of the herbal remedies or medicines postulated in this book are to ease stomach cramps and very importantly cater to an individual’s your sexual health.

18.  Iwígara

By Enrique Salmon.

Iwigara: The Kinship of Plants and People by Enrique Salmon

This book has a conservative outlook. The writer Enrique Salmón, who is also an ethnobotanist, hails from the ancient Native American Rarámuri tribe, who believe in Iwígara (a literal translation that all life-forms are interconnected). 

In this book, inspired by the same name, Salmón identifies a minimum of 80 plants/herbs that are well-regarded by North America’s aboriginal people.

The writer spotlights an old diet regimen, from beans to black cohosh, and how these food items can be used herbal remedies and medicine.

He employs already established scientific data, botanical illustrations and photographs, in an attractive well placed alphabetical order, to elaborate on each plant’s family, season, region, uses, health profits and so much more. A truly well detailed plan.

Recognizing how traditionally, American Indian knowledge, is often communicated via stories, Salmón is smart enough to include myths and narratives about each plant/herb for the reader’s easy grasp and enjoyment.

19. A Handbook Of Native American Herbs

By Alma R. Hutchens.

A Handbook of Native American Herbs By Alma R. Hutchens (books forum at  permies)

Clearly, the focus here, as the title suggests, is mainly on herbs found in North America. The author dedicates knowledge on everything from folk medicine to common kitchen herbal remedies.

While it may not be as modern as some of the other books discussed on our list, the respected author, Hutchens, is an expert in her chosen vocation and her convincing manual on Native American herbal remedies is a classic in any generation or field. A must-read for sure.

20.  Alchemy Of Herbs

By Rosalee De La Forêt.

Alchemy of Herbs eBook by Rosalee de la Forêt - 9781401950071 | Rakuten  Kobo United States

The author here, Rosalee De La Forêt, buttresses on the fact that, readers of the book should aspire to acquire knowledge on how to transform everyday ingredients into natural medicines or remedies. 

Very plainly put, the author wants to educate the reader on employing useful avenues to heal your body with foods and ingredients you have readily accessible in your kitchen cupboard.

This book is an important read to start your journey of making and using your own natural medicines and remedies.

BONUS TIP

21. The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

By Nicole Apelian & Claude Davis

The Lost Book Herbal Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies is a book written by Claude David and Nicole Apelian (PhD).

Nicole Apelian is a professional botanist and herbalist who specializes in making powerful herbal remedies for people in the following categories:

  • People With Autoimmune Disorders
  • Those Who Take Pills With Little Result
  • Those Tired of the side effect of drugs
  • People Who Don't want to pay Big Pharma anymore
  • People That Want to be prepared for a crisis
  • Those That Want to live a healthier life

Dr Nicole has helped thousands of people treat and cure themselves naturally, simply by following her prescriptions and advice.

She has documented more than 800 herbal discoveries that cure practically all forms of ailment and give tremendous benefits to the human health.

Dr Apelian explains in a free detailed video presentation, how she was personally cured of an acute ailment, which couldn't be cured with orthodox medicine.

That video presentation is a must watch in your journey to total health. Click here to watch the free video presentation.