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Women Healers of the World: The Traditions, History, and Geography of Herbal Medicine
A celebration of the healing traditions that made yoga, acupuncture, and aromatherapy popular.
The recent trend toward holistic living has heightened our national fascination with herbal remedies and less conventional therapies such as acupuncture, yoga, aromatherapy, and ethnobotany. Now, this intimate and inspiring book opens up the world of herbal medicine to those interested in learning about the history of these techniques and approaches.
Women Healers of the World shares with readers an extraordinary variety of healing plants from around the world that have inspired today’s “alternative” medicine, as well as the stories, challenges, and triumphs of remarkable women healers from past and present—all of whom promote the use of medicinal herbs.
Through this book, herbalist and author Holly Bellebuono aims to educate readers about sixteen plant-based world healing traditions and thirty women who have practiced them. Bellebuono also explores the geography, history, and medical heritage of twenty countries where these traditions originated.
With thorough knowledge of the uses and effects of these healing traditions, readers can then move on to featured recipes for herbal remedies they can make in their home kitchens. Following Bellebuono’s instructions, readers will produce remedies such as soothing lip balms, wound pastes, face masks, arthritis oils, relaxing bath salts, and revitalizing teas.
The recent trend toward holistic living has heightened our national fascination with herbal remedies and less conventional therapies such as acupuncture, yoga, aromatherapy, and ethnobotany. Now, this intimate and inspiring book opens up the world of herbal medicine to those interested in learning about the history of these techniques and approaches.
Women Healers of the World shares with readers an extraordinary variety of healing plants from around the world that have inspired today’s “alternative” medicine, as well as the stories, challenges, and triumphs of remarkable women healers from past and present—all of whom promote the use of medicinal herbs.
Through this book, herbalist and author Holly Bellebuono aims to educate readers about sixteen plant-based world healing traditions and thirty women who have practiced them. Bellebuono also explores the geography, history, and medical heritage of twenty countries where these traditions originated.
With thorough knowledge of the uses and effects of these healing traditions, readers can then move on to featured recipes for herbal remedies they can make in their home kitchens. Following Bellebuono’s instructions, readers will produce remedies such as soothing lip balms, wound pastes, face masks, arthritis oils, relaxing bath salts, and revitalizing teas.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2014
19 people are currently reading
797 people want to read
About the author
Holly Bellebuono
13 books54 followersAuthor and herbalist of 30 years Holly Bellebuono explores philosophy, natural health, entrepreneurship, and the human experience. Author of 8 nonfiction books, Holly has lectured in England, Costa Rica, Canada, and across the US from Boston to Hawaii at conferences, retreats, and universities, delivering strategies and inspiration.
Holly is a multiple award-winning small business entrepreneur who coaches business owners to develop strategies and pursue environmental and social commitments--especially women's empowerment, women's equity and self-agency.
Her documentary book Women Healers of the World: The Traditions, History & Geography of Herbal Medicine, was named The Thomas DeBaggio Book of the Year 2015 by The International Herb Association. To create the book, Holly interviewed dozens of women from around the world, sometimes requiring translators, to learn about cultural traditions and personal beliefs that inspire herbal medicine.
The Bellebuono School of Herbal Medicine is an official school of the American Herbalist's Guild. Her signature program, Herbal Medicine FOUNDATIONS, provides comprehensive trainings in herbal medicine for men and women of all ages. Visit https://school.hollybellebuono.com/ to learn more.
Holly is also a nonprofit leader; she holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Appalachian State University and has served as Executive, Program and Fiscal Director for human service, education, and environmental nonprofit organizations. Awards include two Small Business Owner of the Year and a Nonprofit of the Year Award. Holly’s specialty is Grant Management and she is a professional member of the Grant Professionals Association, having stewarded dozens of state and foundation grants for nonprofits making an impact.
Holly welcomes inquiries from people interested in hosting her as a speaker on sustainability, personal and business transformation. Contact her at www.HollyBellebuono.com.
Holly is a multiple award-winning small business entrepreneur who coaches business owners to develop strategies and pursue environmental and social commitments--especially women's empowerment, women's equity and self-agency.
Her documentary book Women Healers of the World: The Traditions, History & Geography of Herbal Medicine, was named The Thomas DeBaggio Book of the Year 2015 by The International Herb Association. To create the book, Holly interviewed dozens of women from around the world, sometimes requiring translators, to learn about cultural traditions and personal beliefs that inspire herbal medicine.
The Bellebuono School of Herbal Medicine is an official school of the American Herbalist's Guild. Her signature program, Herbal Medicine FOUNDATIONS, provides comprehensive trainings in herbal medicine for men and women of all ages. Visit https://school.hollybellebuono.com/ to learn more.
Holly is also a nonprofit leader; she holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Appalachian State University and has served as Executive, Program and Fiscal Director for human service, education, and environmental nonprofit organizations. Awards include two Small Business Owner of the Year and a Nonprofit of the Year Award. Holly’s specialty is Grant Management and she is a professional member of the Grant Professionals Association, having stewarded dozens of state and foundation grants for nonprofits making an impact.
Holly welcomes inquiries from people interested in hosting her as a speaker on sustainability, personal and business transformation. Contact her at www.HollyBellebuono.com.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 19, 2021
I was enjoying parts of this book, like how profiles of herbalists and healers were intermixed with profiles of different plants, but when I got to the second chapter on Indigenous healers in North America I decided I couldn't finish this book. A white woman allegedly taught by Cherokee women isn't a Cherokee healer. When looking at different traditions, in Hawaii and India, white women were profiled as the representatives of those traditions. I'm not about that.
January 2, 2023
Women Healers of the World is full of wonderful information and rich in diverse histories. I would recommend it to anyone that is interested in herbal medicine in relation to its history and geography and/or its practice by women.
This book showcases various traditions of herbal medicine. Each chapter gives an overview of a different type of herbal medicine with history about the tradition, the places that tradition was cultivated, and introduces the reader to women that practice those healing traditions. Interspersed throughout are brief histories and uses of various plants in relation to medicine as well as the etymological histories of various words.
I was particularly intrigued by the history and geography of these traditions. Seeing the various traditions next to each other provided a great chance to compare and contrast. It was interesting to see how traditions from around the world are similar to each other and how the places they were created in also created differences based on geography and culture.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free as part of a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
This book showcases various traditions of herbal medicine. Each chapter gives an overview of a different type of herbal medicine with history about the tradition, the places that tradition was cultivated, and introduces the reader to women that practice those healing traditions. Interspersed throughout are brief histories and uses of various plants in relation to medicine as well as the etymological histories of various words.
I was particularly intrigued by the history and geography of these traditions. Seeing the various traditions next to each other provided a great chance to compare and contrast. It was interesting to see how traditions from around the world are similar to each other and how the places they were created in also created differences based on geography and culture.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free as part of a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
April 20, 2015
This lovingly and well put together volume is more than a coffee table book but also a compendium worth a careful reading. With lush photographs of the healers presented in their natural context as well as stunning reproductions of individual herbs and flowers, spending time with this book was a healing experience in itself.
October 24, 2015
Love this beautiful book! Filled with vivid photographs and herbal remedies...Bellebuono portrays histories of some powerful women--including modern day women--& the natural healing traditions they share with the world.
March 30, 2020
This isn't an entirely perfect book, but while it does have some flaws, I still really loved it. It was fascinating and inspiring and left me wanting to learn so much more about many topics.
September 28, 2020
I did like the format of the book and the stories of women healers. I liked the information about the history of words. I would have probably liked the book more if it was just Women Healers and not "of the world" for although there is a wide range of traditions it is really from a eurocentric position - with most of the healers being from and living in that part of the world. Perhaps we can only write from our own perspective and I know that there were attempts to look wider and perhaps it is a good start but I wanted more. On the other hand a book of women healers of the world would be epic and probably too long.
September 23, 2017
When people have a chance to get out of the Middle Ages, here come this sort of opportunists doing their best to revive the Dark Ages in their race for the profit and, if possible, power.
March 23, 2020
This book is great for those looking to learn more about the women healers of the world - lovely pictures, broad coverage, really interesting for any herbalist.
August 27, 2020
This book was a wonderful compilation of the accomplishments of women healers in the world. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about these women, herbal medicine and their practices.
January 27, 2025
I had high hopes when I saw the title of this book. I was hoping to see more representation of women from the global majority, but maybe this book wasn't meant to highlight everyone.
November 26, 2016
Looks like (and reads) more like a coffee table book, but that's not a bad thing. Beautiful photos and illustrations and great bios on inspiring women. I now have several more awesome women/organizations to support.
October 8, 2014
Just started reading tonight. Won on goodreads. Interesting book so far. Worth reading. Very interesting to the end.
January 4, 2016
What an amazing book! Every feminist - every gardener - every herbalist - everyone should have this book!
May 12, 2016
Great, and extremely inspirational!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews