Medicinal Herbs of California is the first statewide field guide to more than 70 common medicinal plants of California. This vital addition to the California naturalist’s shelf will introduce readers to the principles of herbal remedies, history and roots in native cultures, scientific information, and how to find and incorporate medicinal plants into daily life. Inside you’ll find: Photos and descriptions to help with positive identification Common and scientific names and the plant families Conservation status Modern and traditional uses The science behind natural phytochemicals that have earned these plants a place in Native American medicine for thousands of years.

"The purpose of this project is to provide a resource guide for medical providers and traditional health care practitioners in an effort to better coordinate patient care with traditional practices. This guide will help to illuminate some contraindications of western medicine with Southern California Native American traditional medicine, in hopes of protecting patients from any negative reactions. A secondary purpose ... is to make available information about traditional medicine to anyone interested in disease prevention through Native American knowledge and traditions."--P. 1.

How to find, prepare, and cook delicious dishes from more than 200 types of wild plants - unique prize-winning recipes!

From Alder to Yerba Santa, with more than a hundred plant species in between, this book is a charming and factual source of botanical history. Each herb is completely described by where it grows, what it looks like, and its history of use.

Medicinal Herbs of California will be the first statewide field guide to the 70 most common medicinal plants of California. This vital edition to the California naturalist's shelf will introduce readers to the principles of herbal remedies, history and roots in native cultures, scientific information, and how to find and incorporate medicinal plants into daily life. Social media is making natural remedies accessible to a new generation, informing and inspiring everyone from part-time hippies and aspiring #plantwitches to new mothers and busy professionals to tap the wisdom and benefits of the land. This guide will build a foundation for aspirants to get outside, and discover the herbs in their own backyards, as well as informing troves of active foragers, gardeners, and nature-lovers. Inside you'll find: -Photos and descriptions to help with positive identification -Common and scientific names and the plant families -Conservation status -Modern and traditional uses -The science behind natural phytochemicals that have earned these plants a place in Native American medicine for thousands of years.

Information from many sources has been compiled here to present the most important uses of plants by early inhabitants of California, as well as methods of preparing the plants for use. The Indian method of leaching acorn meal so it could be eaten, the medicinal value of Yerba Mansa, the use of other plants for making baskets, rope, and clothing, are some of the subjects treated.