The Wicca Herbal: Recipes, Magick, and Abundance

Rating:
Summary: Use with Caution
Review: First, let me say this book is a lovely presentation. Though soft cover, the book is well bound, lovely, strong cover, nicely designed and attracts attention. The inside of the book is just as inviting. Lovely prints of the herbs covered, very detailed. It is laid out very artistically, and also includes some lovely woodprints. The typefaces, while very artistic, are not impossible to read.

Having said that, I was curious about the content. The book appears to be well laid out, alphabetically according to common name. The first chapter is about Wicca and it's connection to the earth, our Mother. There is a very simplified explanation of Wicca, some information on spellcasting, ritual and Sabbats, making this a nice introduction. Ms. Wood then goes into some history on Medieval Herbalogy, some basics on growing, using and 'experimenting' with herbs and some history as to how we came to using them as we do these days, and a discussion on natural gardening and preserving your herbs. All of the material is basic, giving an overview of the topic and some ground for the beginner.

In reviewing the actual herbal references, she gives the common name or names, the Latin names, parts used, a brief description of the plant and some growing tips. Some plants come with stories about the magical correspondences, or a little history of its use. Some herbs have a medicinal use and remedy given. Some herbs have recipes for their use.

No where did I find a cautionary to the beginner about using these plants. No where did I find advice on possible herbal allergies or side effects. There are some recipes using these herbs and instructions for poultices to apply or herbs to use in spells. There are also recipes for creams and soaps. But the advice to see a doctor should a condition continue, or advice on possible allergic reactions to soaps or creams and side effects from using these herbs is missing.

Then there are instructions: "place in a blender or food processor. (If you do not own a blender or food processor, you can use a mortar and pestle.)" Items are to be "stored in a clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid". We seem to have hit the modern age, with all traditional methods left behind for the sake of technology. Yet, suggestions or instructions to sterilize jars for the storage of food or medicinal items is not mentioned.

The properties of the herbs are clearly explained. There is an index, list of societies and publications on herbs, resources and a bibliography. There is a glossary in the back explaining the terms used.

But possible risks and practical medicinal advice is missing and the book does not include the possible reactions to some of these herbs that you can find from time to time. Nor does it discuss the legal aspect of 'prescribing' herbs for use or personal responsibility for recommending these herbs for medicinal use or what to do in case of adverse reactions to these herbs.

While the book is a lovely presentation there is critical material that should have been covered. It may be attractive but it lacks the cautions that are usually given by professional herbalists. It might make a nice coffee table book but should be used with the usual medical cautions.

Rating:
Summary: Use with Caution
Review: First, let me say this book is a lovely presentation.  Though soft cover, the book is well bound, lovely, strong cover, nicely designed and attracts attention.  The inside of the book is just as inviting.  Lovely prints of the herbs covered, very detailed.  It is laid out very artistically, and also includes some lovely woodprints.  The typefaces, while very artistic, are not impossible to read.
Having said that, I was curious about the content.  The book appears to be well laid out, alphabetically according to common name.  The first chapter is about Wicca and it's connection to the earth, our Mother.  There is a very simplified explanation of Wicca, some information on spellcasting, ritual and Sabbats, making this a nice introduction.  Ms. Wood then goes into some history on Medieval Herbalogy, some basics on growing, using and 'experimenting' with herbs and some history as to how we came to using them as we do these days, and a discussion on natural gardening and preserving your herbs.  All of the material is basic, giving an overview of the topic and some ground for the beginner.
In reviewing the actual herbal references, she gives the common name or names, the Latin names, parts used, a brief description of the plant and some growing tips.  Some plants come with stories about the magical correspondences, or a little history of its use.  Some herbs have a medicinal use and remedy given.  Some herbs have recipes for their use. 
No where did I find a cautionary to the beginner about using these plants.  No where did I find advice on possible herbal allergies or side effects.  There are some recipes using these herbs and instructions for poultices to apply or herbs to use in spells.  There are also recipes for creams and soaps.  But the advice to see a doctor should a condition continue, or advice on possible allergic reactions to soaps or creams and side effects from using these herbs is missing.
Then there are instructions: "place in a blender or food processor. (If you do not own a blender or food processor, you can use a mortar and pestle.)"  Items are to be "stored in a clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid".   We seem to have hit the modern age, with all traditional methods left behind for the sake of technology.  Yet, suggestions or instructions to sterile jars for the storage of food or medicinal items is not mentioned.
The properties of the herbs are clearly explained.  There is an index, list of societies and publications on herbs, resources and a bibliography.   There is a glossary in the back explaining the terms used. 
But possible risks and practical medicinal advice is missing and the book does not include the possible reactions to some of these herbs that you can find from time to time.  Nor does it discuss the legal aspect of 'prescribing' herbs for use or personal responsibility for recommending these herbs for medicinal use or what to do in case of adverse reactions to these herbs.

While the book is a lovely presentation there is critical material that should have been covered.  It may be attractive but it lacks the cautions that are usually given by professional herbalists.  It might make a nice coffee table book but should be used with the usual medical cautions.  boudica

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: I've passed the book along to a few others. It's a wonderful read.

Rating:
Summary: The Wicca Herbal
Review: Jamie Wood does an excellent job of presenting the Wiccan traditions through herbs, recipes, and thorough explanations of the sabbats. She offers very practical uses for these herbs in medicines, food, soaps, etc. I found this book to be very informative and useful.

Rating:
Summary: The Wicca Herbal
Review: Jamie Wood does an excellent job of presenting the Wiccan traditions through herbs, recipes, and thorough explanations of the sabbats. She offers very practical uses for these herbs in medicines, food, soaps, etc. I found this book to be very informative and useful.

Rating:
Summary: Light up your life with herbs
Review: The Wicca Herbal is an informative guide to useful herbs. Exploring the qualities and uses of these herbs, it provides information on how to grow them successfully and how to use them in cooking, healing, ritual and decoration.

About 100 different herbs are covered, including milk thistle, lavender, chamomile, sage and mint, plus some important but lesser known ones. It is comforting to know that there is a herbal cure for every problem and situation, according to the wisdom of Wicca.

This booked is rooted in the Wiccan tradition and serves as more than a simple herbal guide as it also imparts interesting information on aromatherapy, organic gardening and various aspects of holistic healing and it contains a chapter on medieval herbalism. The beautiful black and white illustrations contribute to the pleasant and informative reading experience.

For those more interested in the gardening side, I also recommend Ellen Dugan's excellent Garden Witchery: Magick from the Ground Up, a book that tells you everything about creating your own magick garden and that perfectly complements The Wicca Herbal.