Product Description

Britain's hedgerows abound with forgotten remedies for countless health problems. Julie Bruton-Seal, practicising medical herbalist, together with her co-author, the editor and writer Matthew Seal, have responded to the growing interest in natural medicine by aiming this book at the amateur who wants to improve his or her health in the same way that mankind has done for centuries around the world: by using local wild plants and herbs. There are clear instructions about which plants to harvest, when, and over 120 recipes showing how to make them into teas, vinegars, oils, creams, pillows, poultices or alcohol-based tinctures. Julie and Matthew explain which ailments can be treated, and what benefits can be expected. As well as being packed with practical information on using 50 native plants, Hedgerow Medicine also gives a fascinating insight into the literary, historic and worldwide application of these herbal remedies.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10856 in Books
• Published on: 2008-05-15
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 224 pages

Review
It's strong, pleasantly scratchy and yet soothing to my itching throat. Within 15 minutes, the sneezing and weepy eyes have stopped. And while the effect lasts just a couple of hours, I feel none of the drowsiness of my usual antihistamine. --The Daily Telegraph, 23 June 2008

About the Author
Julie Bruton-Seal is a practising medical herbalist, iridologist and natural healer, and brings her own experience and case histories to this book. She qualified at the Selfheal School, under Dr Jill Davies and Christopher Hobbs, and is a Council member of the Association of Master Herbalists (AMH) and editor of its quarterly magazine, Nature s Path. Julie is one of the founding organisers of HerbFest, an annual gathering celebrating healing plants and herbal medicine. She is also an artist, photographer, film-maker and writer, and has worked as a graphic designer. She co-authored the vegetarian cookbook Vegetarian Masterpieces (1988, reprinted 8 times) and contributed to a weekly newspaper column on vegetarian cooking while living in the US. She illustrated the children's book When Elephant was King (David Bateman Books, 1996). Her photographs have been widely published in books and magazines, including National Geographic, and she has worked as a wildlife illustrator and artist for many years, holding a number of exhibitions. She has lived in several countries, and is the daughter of renowned wildlife film-makers Des and Jen Bartlett, with whom she won an Emmy in 1993 for Survivors of the Skeleton Coast. Matthew Seal's first recorded proper words (according to his mother, who wouldn't exaggerate on such a matter) were meadowsweet , uttered on a nature walk in the River Trent marshes when he was nearly three. Matthew grew up in a family of gardeners and botanists and, while not following his kinfolk into professional gardening or horticulture, he has never forgotten this early greening. He has worked as an editor and writer in books, magazines and newspapers for over thirty-five years, in both the UK and South Africa. He ran over a hundred marathons and ultra-marathons while living in South Africa and is author of Survive and Thrive in the New South Africa (How To Books, 2000). In addition to his ongoing freelance editing, he has experience in design and production. He was for three years revise sub-editor of Business Report, the largest-selling business daily in South Africa and he is currently publications director of the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP).

Customer Reviews

The best of it's kind
This is such a useful book. It offers sound, practical advice on using some of the most common wayside plants found in the UK along with full botanical information, clear photographs and interesting folklore associated with each plant. For each herb included there is a list of ailments which might benefit from it's use and the appropriate form of preparation to use. Beginners to herbalism would certainly find this a very interesting and inspiring book to have on hand while more advanced herbalist might find the list of herbs included rather limiting although I suspect they might find some of the recipes both novel and useful.
Definately recommended for all herbalists both new and advanced.

Brilliant!
Excellent book - extremely helpful and covers some of the folklore that seems to be missing from everyday life now. Have tried some of the rememdies and they have worked brilliantly. Wholeheartedly recommend this book for anyone wanting to learn or know more about medicine that is just so readily available!

Brilliant!
Bought this as a reference book and read it cover to cover when I got it. Fascinating, interesting and eminently practical. Will transform your view of dandelions for life!