The Green Pharmacy : Herbal Remedies for Common Diseases and Conditions from the World's Foremost Authority on Healing Herbs

by James A. Duke

Written by the world's foremost authority, this is the ultimate compendium of natural remedies--from anise for asthma to violet for varicose veins, and everything in between.

Genres: Health, Reference, Nonfiction, Herbs, Nature, Medicine, Science

Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

James A. Duke was an American botanist and leading authority on medicinal plants. He earned a doctorate in botany from the University of North Carolina in 1961 and later led the USDA's Plant Taxonomy Laboratory. He authored numerous works on botanical medicine, including The Green Pharmacy and CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, and developed the USDA's Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases.

Reviews

[Tea Jovanović]

Ovu knjigu prevodili smo i pripremali tokom bombardovanja... I veoma sam ponosna na finalni proizvod jer sam se za svaku moguću biljku konsultovala sa stručnjakom iz našeg Instituta za bilje i u konsultaciji s njim iz knjige smo izbacili nekoliko biljaka koje su nam apsolutno nedostupne... tj. mogu se nabaviti samo u Americi ili Meksiku ili tako negde što je nama i dalje nedostupno... U ovu knjigu je uloženo mnogo krvavog rada i imala je nekoliko izdanja... Naročito mi je draga jer lično ne gajim interesovanje za lekovito bilje ili medicinu... pa je utoliko više truda i rada uloženo u ovaj prevod... Nas četiri prijateljice... :)

[Chris]

A great beginning reference for herbal and dietary solutions for common diseases. I use this often as a starting point for research. It is amazing how much diet can help in disease. Did you know that walnuts are a good dietary source of seratonin and can help curb appetite? Who knew? (Also, note that raising the levels of serotonin in the body is an accepted method in combatting depression.) Did you know that pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds are high in the amino acid tryptophan, a raw material used in the production of serotonin? Again, who new?

[Heather]

I call this book my "Herb Bible" because I always start with the Green Pharmacy when looking for at-home remedies. This book is in no way disdainful of Western medicine, but gives a host of low-cost alternatives for treatments you may be able to employ at home. There are many reasons I love this book including the author's easy, down-to-earth writing style. The book is organized alphabetically by ailment, so you can easily look up "headache", "bunions", "infertility" or "cold and flu". You can also utilize the index to look up uses for a specific herb or remedy. Dr. Duke organizes the remedies for specific ailments based on their purported effectiveness. He also talks about the reasons why specific medicinal herbs and folk remedies may be effective. Essentially, this guide gives a lot of good information, with a healthy dose of common sense (please read the introduction before embarking on your herbal journey), so that folks can make an informed decision about using herbal remedies.

[Laura Doyle]

The best herb reference book yet. Categorized by physical ailment rather than herb for easy use.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Also posted on my site The Paperback Stash

Duke's knowledge and expertise in the fields of research come across loud and clear without him having to pronounce it boldly. Reading the back of the book and seeing his credentials was almost as enjoyable as reading the book itself. Much of the text is taken over with research, combined with his own uses, things he's heard, seen, and believe.

I do find a fault. I have to credit Henrietta Kress for this, though, as she said it first and I realized I agreed with her but it had never clicked with me before. One of those things you can't put your finger on:

(http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/faqs/m...)

""I have the 1997 edition of this. It's a book written by a researcher, not by a practitioner, and it shows in some of the herbal recommendations. Don't trust it, get one of the books written by a practitioner instead."" (End Quote)

You know, she's right in a way. I always found it strange that throughout the book he mainly suggests soups, pills bought, standardized pills, etc. He never gives many personal experiences with something other than a single remedy used as a food addition. This is not saying this book is not worth it - far from it - but it is bringing up the valid point.

Also, there is another thing that DOES bug me is the "make your own medicine" section. A few pages long, so not actually a section, but you get my drift. For tinctures he says to let it sit about a week and then strain. A week? Every other source states 2 weeks minimum. Nothing is mentioned on sun either or any heating.

Also, on salves he recommends not making your own but buying it from a store, saying that it's "messy stuff". Of course he does say that he doesn't have luck making salves, where they turn out too dry or runny, so this could be the reason he says this.

Beyond these small gripes though, this really is an excellent book. I always return to it when wondering on a condition. Sure it's not advanced herbalism in any shape or form, but it works and for good reason. He gives plenty of information and doesn't seem rushed like so many books out there do. He recommends more than just herbal remedies as well. Sometimes I don't agree with what he says, but for the majority of the time I do (and that's not the point with reviews anyway), but at least he always explains his reason. He doesn't just say: Don't take this or, This causes liver damage. He says WHY and I appreciate that.

[Christina]

After an introduction chapter on how to use herbs, James Duke has compiled an extensive alphabetical listing of ailments and recommendations for herbal treatments. He includes everything from 'Asthma' to 'Diabetes' to 'Warts' to 'Constipation ' ... it is very comprehensive. There is repetition (garlic is an effective remedy for a lot of things), but the way it is set up makes the repetition helpful. The same remedy may be listed in 'Virus' and 'Tonsilitis', for example. Rather than reading the book front to back, I read the introduction, the conclusion, and then skimmed through the specific ailments. This book makes an excellent reference book to keep on the shelf to refer to as needed.

The author explains clearly why these herbal remedies are so little used and known in the US. At the same time, I appreciate that he is not trying to fight against mainstream doctors. He recommends discussing any herbal treatments with your doctor.

I would recommend reading the end of the book first. He talks about his background and how he grew to love working with medicinal plants. It helps you realize that he really may be one of the foremost authorities in the world. The writing is only a little 'preachy', and he comes across as a nice, easygoing guy.

[Amy]

Now if I only had some bloodroot and purslane, I could cure this gingivitis..

[Janet]

Everyone should have this book. It has been useful time and again to me and my family.

[Cherie]

A Absolutely great resource for alternative medicine - herbs, tinctures, great suggestions. A wonderful resource.

[GardenSinger]

I love this little reference book! It stays in a special place and is constantly being used by both myself and my husband. It is a must-have-handy type of book for everyone.

[S Tyty]

This book was an unexpected gem. I bought it on a whim, hoping to learn more about herbal remedies, but it quickly became one of my favorite health references. Author Aida Higgins has managed to balance traditional herbal wisdom with a clear, structured, and highly readable format. Each page feels thoughtful, with rich descriptions and practical recipes for use. It’s about herbs but also about how to truly use them in a safe and informed way.
I particularly loved the section on how to harvest and prepare each herb properly. The precision in describing when and how to collect herbs, and what parts to use, makes it feel like a hands-on course. The scientific approach is also a huge plus. Most books I’ve read gloss over what compounds herbs contain, but here, you get a breakdown of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and more, which adds real credibility to the advice.
One of the things that stood out was the attention to detail in safety. Each entry includes important cautions, drug interactions, and allergy risks, something often missing in other books. As someone who has allergies and takes medication, I really value that.
Visually, the book is stunning. The illustrations are not just decorative; they're functional and help you identify herbs accurately, which is essential if you're foraging or using fresh plants.
As a reader, I felt genuinely educated and inspired. This is a resource you’ll return to. I’ve already bookmarked dozens of pages. It sparked a real interest in growing some of these herbs myself. I think this book would be an amazing gift for someone starting a wellness journey or wanting to reconnect with nature. I’m definitely getting Volume 2 when it comes out. Highly recommended!

[Mary Marsell]

This is a book that gives you hope. You can start substituting drugs (medicines) with natural plant-based foods and regain your health. I'm so glad to have refound this book full of encylopedic wealth and will keep it on my kitchen bookshelf for future reference.

[Jennifer Peters]

I love this book, been using it for a year to study herbs of the week and month and it is a great reference for my note taking and studying of each individual herb. This book outlines what herbs work best for certain ailments

[Goldenrod]

"Scientific critics counter that 'old folk tales' are no match for Western-style scientific experimentation. But the basis of science is careful observation, and that's what traditional peoples have been doing since time immemorial-- observing and experimenting with the world around them." (p.427)

[Darren]

This is a good read as far as I wanted. Something I can pick up and put down and use more of a reference or maybe a little guide. Some good stuff. Some stuff that doesn't really interest me but on the whole worth a look if it's something that is of interest to you

[Jamie]

This is a reference book and not a book to read from to back. I do read sections at a time.

[Kim]

Excellent reference source, not overwhelming but plenty of info to give you an idea of what each substance can help.

[مُعتز]

كتاب ثري بالمعلومات التي يحتاجها كل فرد منا
لا بد أن يكون في كل منزل.

[Hadiqa]

Really like some remedies especially about periods. I have excruciatingly painful periods and I'm looking forward to using Evening primrose plus I'll be growing my own!

[Dee Rogers]

Definitive guide to American herbology. Very comprehensive. '90s info.

[Amy Harris]

Great organization by ailment. Excellent intro to incorporating herbs into your wellness routine.

[المحرو سة]

كتاب جد رائع. يزودك بمعلومات قيمة عن الأعشاب الطبية وكيفية استخدامها للاستشفاء...

[عادل صلاح يوسف]

أسلوب وشرح وتقديم الكاتب أكثر من رائع وبه لابأس به الوصفات الجيدة

[Susan Wright]

Great book to keep as a reference

[Em]

3.5 has some good recipes. overall he is a big fan of about a dozen multipurpose herbs and recommends them a lot. its a good baseline for new herbalists

[Trevor]

This is more of a reference book than a "straight reader", but is quite interesting all the same. I'll be trying some of the recipes soon.

[Adriana Mesen]

Great overview of herbal treatments, has been a really helpful guide to consult.

[Teresa]

This is a "as needed" reference. I'll never be truly finished reading it.

[Kátina Knihovna]

Nice and easy evening reading, but I would appreciate more concrete and detailed information.

[Summerfield-Petersburg Library]

It is surprising how many ailments can be helped with herbs and other natural remedies.
Haven't tried to purchase specific ones yet but wonder how accessible they will be.