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A Healing Grove: African Tree Remedies and Rituals for the Body and Spirit
Reclaiming traditions based on plants and herbs has never been more important than it is today. Widespread use of chemicals, hormones, and additives introduce unknown substances into our bodies. On a larger scale, our future on the planet depends on our ability and willingness to incorporate earth-friendly practices into daily life. Where better to look for natural remedies and soothing rituals than Africa? It is, after all, the Mother Continent, allegedly the birthplace of the entire human race, and the keeper of ancient earth knowledge. No newcomer to these traditions, Stephanie Rose Bird explores the practical uses, spiritual traditions, and historical aspects of trees in the heritage of African Americans and offers ways to rediscover and implement natural practices in twenty-first-century daily life. The topics she covers are as diverse as a wood should be, including everything from hunting, gathering, and processing to natural divination, omens, signs, and forest medicine for wellness and beauty. A Healing Grove will lead not only to personal healing but also to a lifestyle that will heal our earth.
- GenresNonfictionNature
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
4 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Rose Bird
32 books139 followersStephanie Rose Bird is a prolific nonfiction author. Her newest work of nonfiction, "Mama Earth's Spiritual Guide to Weight-loss" has just been published (May 2017) by Green Magic Publishing. She is also the author of 5 other published books, the most recent two are "The Big Book of Soul: the Ultimate Guide to the African American Spirit: Legends & Lore, Music & Mysticism, Recipes and Rituals" (Hampton Roads Publishers, 2010) and "A Healing Grove: African Tree Remedies and Rituals for Body and Spirit," (Chicago Review Press, 2009). Bird is an eclectic pagan practicing Green Witchcraft, Shamanism and Hoodoo. She is also a practicing artist, herbalist and aromatherapist. Bird is available to conduct hands-on herbal, botanical arts, magick and ritual workshops as well as hosting spiritual retreats. Contact her for more information:
www.stephanierosebird.com
Subscribe to my blog for frequent posts. Join the conversation about books, wellness, mind body spirit, magick, goddess spirituality, nature and more: http://stephanierosebirdstudio.blogsp...
www.stephanierosebird.com
Subscribe to my blog for frequent posts. Join the conversation about books, wellness, mind body spirit, magick, goddess spirituality, nature and more: http://stephanierosebirdstudio.blogsp...
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 9, 2014
A treasure for any African within the diaspora.
There are many books on the market that focus on mainly European herbs, making practical information on other herbal traditions rare.
This book focuses on herbs, botanicals, and medicines found throghout the African Diaspora, and includes a fascinating look at their practical applications and cultural use.
What's also important about this book is that the author focuses on more African standards of beauty. Many books I've read that feature beauty applications are geared towards Eurocentric standards of beauty- herbs to whiten the skin, for example, or authors not differentiating between lightening the skin and evening out skin tone.
Many African Diaspora favorites are provided here, such as coconut oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter. Stephanie RoseBird really helped me fall in love with my old favorites and learn new applications as well as their cultural use.
Whether you are a African American naturalista looking for natural and holistic healing or someone just looking for a refreshing new look on herbalism, this book is for you.
There are many books on the market that focus on mainly European herbs, making practical information on other herbal traditions rare.
This book focuses on herbs, botanicals, and medicines found throghout the African Diaspora, and includes a fascinating look at their practical applications and cultural use.
What's also important about this book is that the author focuses on more African standards of beauty. Many books I've read that feature beauty applications are geared towards Eurocentric standards of beauty- herbs to whiten the skin, for example, or authors not differentiating between lightening the skin and evening out skin tone.
Many African Diaspora favorites are provided here, such as coconut oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter. Stephanie RoseBird really helped me fall in love with my old favorites and learn new applications as well as their cultural use.
Whether you are a African American naturalista looking for natural and holistic healing or someone just looking for a refreshing new look on herbalism, this book is for you.
March 17, 2010
A Healing Grove is a well-written and informative book.
It is clear in the words of the author that she has deep affinity with trees and the emotions that come with deep attachments. She is clearly proud of her heritage and informed about her ancestry.
I found A Healing Grove easy to read and filled with a vast knowledge of Africa, it’s traditions and practices.
I found the little extra bits, like superstition from old about not sitting under trees after 6pm, well placed and a welcome addition.
The definitions and explanations found in clear easy to find circles made the whole reading process easier for me to understand what it was that I was reading.
I personally love the smell of pine and within the covers of A Healing Grove I found a Pine Floor Wash – Forever Green Floor Wash – and am currently searching for the right ingredients. A house always smells better with pine. I abhor chemicals and the natural ingredients I found in this wash made my day.
With footnotes and warning about the dangers of pine were a necessary addition for the reader who wouldn’t know these could be dangerous.
The key features, in point form – a personal favorite form of mine – made the basic and important features of each tree, nut fruit etc easy to see and understand.
I would recommend this book to anyone in-tune with nature, anyone who has an interest in the subject and anyone interested in natural healing, customs and history of Africa.
It is clear in the words of the author that she has deep affinity with trees and the emotions that come with deep attachments. She is clearly proud of her heritage and informed about her ancestry.
I found A Healing Grove easy to read and filled with a vast knowledge of Africa, it’s traditions and practices.
I found the little extra bits, like superstition from old about not sitting under trees after 6pm, well placed and a welcome addition.
The definitions and explanations found in clear easy to find circles made the whole reading process easier for me to understand what it was that I was reading.
I personally love the smell of pine and within the covers of A Healing Grove I found a Pine Floor Wash – Forever Green Floor Wash – and am currently searching for the right ingredients. A house always smells better with pine. I abhor chemicals and the natural ingredients I found in this wash made my day.
With footnotes and warning about the dangers of pine were a necessary addition for the reader who wouldn’t know these could be dangerous.
The key features, in point form – a personal favorite form of mine – made the basic and important features of each tree, nut fruit etc easy to see and understand.
I would recommend this book to anyone in-tune with nature, anyone who has an interest in the subject and anyone interested in natural healing, customs and history of Africa.
March 24, 2010
Who doesn't need healing? Read this book for help.
January 16, 2010
From writing this book I learned so much about the spirituality of trees and their medicines and how they are used in the African diaspora. I found myself connecting more deeply with trees and tree medicine as well.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews