Living Afield Plant Book
"The Plants That Surround Us"
Most of the plants contained in this book are native to the United States or have become naturalized invasives. This book is not meant to teach you everything you need to know about plants and their uses. Simply put, that is not possible. You can only truly know about a plant by using it. My plant monographs are purposefully concise. I provided you with identifying characteristics, where the plants grow, and some of their myriad uses. This will aid you in locating and harvesting the plants. Only through use can you truly learn all the plant has to offer. Depending upon your location you can also grow many of these plants yourself.
As you read through this book you will notice that I have included five plants which do not grow in the US. I have included these because of their wonderfully healthful properties which cannot be replicated with a native species.
Along with finding or growing your own plants, many of the plants described on the following pages can be purchased through reputable online retailers.
The book's 831 pages include monographs for 156 plants. A monograph is simply a document detailing the characteristics and uses of a plant. 129 of the plants listed have medicinal uses, and 106 are edible. As you can tell, many edible plants are also medicinal. This illustrates the herbalists adage "food is medicine".
Plants which have toxic look alikes are identified, and said toxic look alikes immediately follow the plant for which they may be confused. This will make it easy for the reader to notice the differences, and choose accordingly.
Along with the plants there are also 3 glossaries. The first one details making herbal preparations. The second one contains a list of herbal/medicinal actions and the plants which supply them. And the third glossary lists almost 300 common medical conditions and the plants which treat them.
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