Herbal Rituals: Recipes for Everyday Living

by Judith Berger

A New Age odyssey through the calendar year explores the earth's natural cycles in the urban environment of New York City, examines the physical and spiritual powers of various herbs, and offers recipes for simple teas, lotions, and foods, as well as rituals to bring one's life into harmony with nature. 20,000 first printing.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Nature, Occult, Herbs, Health, Plants

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1998

About the author

Judith Berger is an herbalist, writer, and physician assistant who has been spending time with the medicinal plants and trees in the outdoors for decades. She writes eloquently about plant medicine and the natural world. She pursued medical training in order to better understand what paths of intersection between western medicine and plant medicine are possible. She advocates for learning the plant world with a kind of intimacy that extends beyond "using" a plant for a particular human ailment. She spends quite a bit of time in the Catskill and Adirondack mountains and currently writes over at substack, where her column is called Medicine of the Forest.

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ages ago, I bought this as a gift for someone, and afterward wished I had bought one for myself too, because I was curious and kept reading rave reviews of it. But by the time I caught FOMO, it was out of print and expensive as all get-out. Enter...interlibrary loan! I think some of the medical claims about the herbs and "toning" your organs are probably overstated, but where this book shines is in the gorgeous writing about the seasons and how Berger has related to the various plants throughout her life. I'm glad I finally read it.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually took the time to read one chapter at a time (which is paired with a corresponding month) over the course of a year. It's pages are steeped in seasonal awareness, legends, herbal lore and knowledge, and herbal recipes. I'm an herbalist and so the content resonates with me deeply. However, anyone with an interest in food, herbs, nature, or wellness will absolutely adore this book! I hear that an ebook is coming out soon. That's a good thing because the paper copy is hard to track down. Another book I recommend is Jessica Prentice's book "Full Moon Feast." These two books would actually be paired well together for a seasonal exploration!

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, from the front cover design to the end...
As I was nearing the end, I was sad, as i had so enjoyed my journey through the herbal seasons with Judith...

[Ami · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite herb book!

[Alexis Backus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took the time to read one chapter a month for a full year. Each chapter is about a different month, herbs that match the season with recipes, and the feelings that month brings. I love this. I’ll continue to reread this and keep taking something new from it!

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, Herbal Rituals reads as if listening to a wise elder telling stories. Folklore and medicinal uses are interspersed with stories from Ms. Berger's life, making this book personal as well as informative. Definitely one I will reach for again and again.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is definitely one of my top favorite herbals on my extensive shelf. I often simply keep it on my coffee table to delve into at random. What is different about this herbal is that Berger goes deep into depth with just 24 well-known or common backyard herbs/weeds. It is arranged by month and she examines two herbs per month, devoting the entire chapter to just these two plants. Berger goes into the medicinal uses, certainly, but also the cultural history of the plant, spiritual uses, folklore, etc., and includes several recipes with every herb -- sometimes a salve, sometimes a food that uses the herb, sometimes a spritz, sometimes a drink or dessert.. When you get done with the book, you'll feel you really KNOW these herbal allies and that's a true gift. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

[T. Neoma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a deep love for this book, that I have never actually held in my hands. I have only read this through some random photocopied and uploaded to the internet download I found years ago. This book is my white whale, I am on the hunt for my own copy. This beautiful book has the great ability to bring you back into connection, into ritual, and into communication with the plants when life gets hectic. Herbal healing that is intuitive, simple, and relationship-based knowledge.

[Cris Daining · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend raved about it and although it took awhile to purchase (it's only available through the author's website or some other practically hidden online store), it is my #1 daily devotional book. I LOVE the combination of spiritual connections with plants along with recipes and scientific information and little bits of memoir-type stories. This is my second year going through it as my daily devotions and I'm still in love with it.

[Signe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so beautiful!

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute delightful read...lots of good herbal recipes... written beautifully! Month by month rituals.

[jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure Magic.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the blend of spirituality, Earth awareness, and practical recipes. I'd love to own a copy but it is outrageously expensive.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful- a lyrical journey through the author's life with the plants.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Laura Cunningham]

I adore this book so much

[Sally Leaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magical. Filled with story and wonder.

[Juli Anna]

Not for me.

[Julia]

read each chapter at the start of the month <3 halloween / day of the dead is the renewal of the year

[Bernadine Rosso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the way this book is written. It makes you want to slow down and roll in the plants & earth...mmmm!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book of herbal lore and recipes.