Louisiana Herb Journal: Healing on Home Ground

by Corinne Martin

In a world of constant change and crisis, the relationship between humans and their environment has never been more vital. Louisiana Herb Journal invites readers into the world of medicinal herbs, introducing fifty herbs found in Louisiana, with details on identification, habitat, distribution, healing properties, and traditional uses, including instruction on popular preparation methods such as tinctures and teas.

Interspersed with these practical details, herbalist Corinne Martin shares stories that foster a true connection between readers and the world around them, from tales of childhood cherry picking to harvest mishaps to folklife traditions passed down through the generations. Accessible to experienced and rookie herbalists alike, Louisiana Herb Journal offers a new way of looking at the natural world, getting to know one’s “home ground” through a lens of healing and participation.

Family connections, an intimate knowledge of the surrounding lands and waters, strong community bonds, an irrepressible resilience, and a great capacity for celebrating life despite hardships are part and parcel of what it means to be from Louisiana. A celebration of the state and the cultures of those who live there, Louisiana Herb Journal reflects on the value of medicinal herbs in promoting personal healing and addressing current challenges to the state’s environmental and economic stability. Readers will gain a deeper recognition of the natural wealth Louisiana enjoys and the ways that our stewardship of wild plants can impact our personal health as well as the state’s ecological future.

Genres: Food

296 pages, Paperback

Published April 20, 2022

Reviews

[Leonide Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully written book is both an ode to place and a celebration of herbal lore. The subtropical lushness, misty swamplands, and earthy forests are brought out through abundant medicinal plants that fill the Louisiana landscape. The author's deep connections to this place, her childhood home, are described through episodes from her life linked to each specific herb. This gives a personalized view of the herb's locale, appearance, uses, and natural history. Each chapter provides an experience of the herb's habitat, the author's relationship with the land, and the creatures co-existing in nature. She takes a Western herbalist perspective, focusing on the plant's biological activities, often providing recipes for making remedies at home. Lovely photos accompany each herb along with thorough descriptions. Rich experience of medicinal herbs, their natural habitats, and the author's personal connections.

[Sarah Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm neither an herbalist nor a Louisianian, but the grand colors of this book's cover got me to pick it up. And I liked the subtitle, Healing on Home Ground, because when I've needed healing, that's where I've needed it. When I opened it, I expected a textbook format, lists of flowers and seeds, and their applications. Instead, I found stories-- narratives of walks taken by the author and her dog Bodi along the highways and bayous of her Louisiana birthplace, told in the most delighted and delightful voice imaginable. No talking down by an "expert," no removal into arcane remedies, but rather a voice of warm invitation to share in her wonder and admiration for the great variety of plants and animals (including other humans) filling her world. I will not become especially versed in any of the applications contained, though I like having a reference to the herbs used in healing--and I love looking at the beautiful photographs of the flowers and plants. But I am grateful to have found this book, to be taken on a journey into a world not my own.

[Misti · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book! I especially appreciated that this is a book focused on Louisiana but also the interwoven tales of the author's life living there, including getting to know these herbs while living during early COVID times. A must-have for any plant lover!

*I received an ARC via Edelweiss in exchange for my review*

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
This book contains information about 50 different plants that grow in Louisiana. It contains information about where they commonly grow, what parts to use, historic uses, and modern uses. Each plant is also introduced with a short essay, usually about a time or place the author interacted with the plant. Most of the plants are very common. There are also pictures of the plant before each section.
The only reason I did not give this five stars is because of the rambly essay that introduces each plant. I thought that this would focus more on the plants.

[Katherine Bonnabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely gorgeous, full of great information, love, and stories of life with the plants and animals of the bayou country.