Explore the Traditional Wisdom of Plants
For centuries, people have looked to the plants around them for food, medicine, and practical knowledge. The Complete Folk Herbal explores that rich tradition through nearly 100 plants, trees, shrubs, herbs, flowers, and fruits found across North America.
Written by forager and ethnobotanist Rebecca Beyer, this beautifully illustrated guide combines the folklore and history surrounding plants with information about their traditional uses and modern applications.
Each plant profile explores where the plant comes from, what it looks like in the wild, how people have traditionally used it, and ways it can be incorporated into herbal preparations.
What’s Inside?
- Detailed profiles of nearly 100 North American plants
- Plant identification information and illustrations
- Folklore and historical traditions associated with each plant
- Traditional and modern uses
- Recipes for teas, tinctures, decoctions, salves, and balms
- Information about preparing and working with herbs
- Sustainable and ethical foraging practices
- Guidance for developing a deeper understanding of the natural world
From familiar herbs and flowers to wild plants you may have never encountered, The Complete Folk Herbal offers an accessible introduction to the traditions and knowledge surrounding medicinal plants.
The book is both a practical reference and an invitation to spend more time observing, learning about, and responsibly interacting with the plants growing around us.
About the Author
Rebecca Beyer is a forager, ethnobotanist, and author who lives in the mountains of western North Carolina. She holds a bachelor’s degree in plant and soil science from the University of Vermont and a master’s degree in Appalachian studies and sustainability from Appalachian State University.
Beyer founded the Blood and Spicebush School of Old Craft, where she teaches traditional skills including foraging and Appalachian folk medicine. Her work explores traditional plant knowledge while emphasizing sustainability, responsible harvesting, and respect for the cultures and traditions from which herbal practices developed.
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