A beautifully illustrated guide on how to understand and engage with medicinal herbs.
In her fascinating second book, full time medical herbalist Lucy Jones shares the characters and medicinal virtues of 108 herbs that she works with in her practice. Each herb is written as an individual that she knows and respects, rather than simply a list of conditions it treats or the constituents it contains.
Guided by Lucy's engaging and thoughtful prose, readers will journey through the physiological actions, energetic qualities, and emotional resonances of individual herbs, as well as qualities according to Tibetan Medicine, where they apply. Also included are historical views, magical associations, recipes for the home apothecary and many informal case studies to illustrate the virtues of the herbs.
Beautifully illustrated with colour photographs throughout, A Working Herbal Dispensary is more than your run of the mill herbal; it is an insight into a holistic practice where herbs and herbalist are working in partnership for the benefit of those that need help.
"The book is a rare gem, as it is not just re-writing every other herb book but comes from the heart of a busy practitioner who uses herbs clinically every day. Lucy doesn't just 'use' the herbs to 'fix what's broken', rather she understands how they holistically heal the whole person. These monographs are not just short paragraphs of what conditions the plants are 'good for', but a top-notch interweaving of tradition and experience that capture the medicinal essence of the plants. 'The binding of this book is going to become well-worn over the years."
Sajah Popham, founder of 'The School of Evolutionary Herbalism'
"Another wonderful herbal from Lucy, rich in ancient lore and insights from the Tibetan tradition brilliantly interwoven with wisdom, experience, and practical tips from a working herbalist and a self-sufficient one too! With fascinating and detailed descriptions of over one hundred herbs, enlivened by photos of herbs lovingly grown and foraged by Lucy, this book is testimony to the living tradition of herbalism in England and a great opportunity to learn how a clinical herbalist implements the tools of their trade. Thank you, Lucy!"
Anne McIntyre, medical herbalist (FNIMH) and author of 'The Complete Herbal Tutor' and 'Healing with Flowers'
"This work will undoubtedly go on to become canon in the arena of herbal medicine. It does not just provide information, with Lucy's deep understanding and long clinical practice, it's also experiential. A Working Herbal Dispensary takes us on a journey into the plant kingdom; a journey where we experience and really connect with the energies, and magic, we encounter when we work with healing plants."
Karen Stone, founder of the Arura Healing Centre and practitioner of Traditional Tibetan Medicine
A Working Herbal Dispensary is published by Aeon Books, and will be available from the end of May 2023.
A practical, accessible and insightful handbook on reading the eye.