Brittany Ducham’s Radical Remedies: A Herbalist’s Guide to Empowering Self-Sufficiency is a thoughtful herbal guide that, in my opinion, was geared towards a competent herbalist looking to expand their knowledge of remedies, folk medicine, and natural self-care. Although I have an in-depth knowledge of herbal remedies, I would not recommend it to the inexperienced herbalist as the book is for those who want to dedicate their lives fully to a herbal lifestyle.
Radical Remedies is a must have for the advanced herbalist
Radical Remedies is divided into ten sections: first introducing the concepts of herbal medicine and using the tools you have in your home and the nature around you, before delving into specific aspects of self-care, from your digestion to your mental and emotional Well being all the way to your body’s immunity.
Ducham helps her readers understand the new concepts she introduces by introducing easy-to-read diagrams, herbal case studies, and easy-to-implement practices to improve your own wellbeing. Throughout the book, she also provides page numbers for further reading, which means that the book is not intended for direct reading but serves as a guide to learn more about yourself.
One diagram that I found very insightful was the “Recognize Energetics” diagram, which showed that I am a “hot” person. I already knew this about myself, but I enjoyed learning more about what type of constitution I am and which herbs are best for that constitution. Some of them I had already used in my life, others I added to my collection of elixirs and tinctures after reading Radical Remedies.
Thirty-one of the key herbs Ducham features throughout the book are given detailed plant profiles that introduce readers to what constitutions they are suitable for, what parts of the planet should be used, advice on how to prepare remedies, and recommended plant pairings. I wish that these plant profiles provide pictures, like the limited pictures through Radical Remedies didn’t make it as appealing as i had hoped a guide would be.
She is also well aware of the way she is promoting wildcrafting to ensure her readers realize that some herbs – like white sage – are tied to indigenous traditions and should not be used by non-indigenous herbalists. The key to natural remedies is understanding where herbs come from and where their roots are. This was a very fine memory of mindfulness that some New Age herbalists overlook.
While I may not be able to set up my own pharmacy and develop my natural remedies, the book encouraged me to buy a burdock root tincture for myself and a Hawthorne elixir for my mother. Though I found the book aimed at a slightly more advanced herbalist than me, I appreciated the way Ducham had wrapped up Radical Remedies with a wonderful “Resources” section filled with additional books, Cookbooksand sites to buy from to help aspiring herbalists learn more or source ingredients without going into the woods.
Radical Remedies would be daunting read for someone little to do with herbalism, but it is the perfect addition to the library of someone building their own pharmacy at home. If this is your first time thinking about home remedies due to the pandemic, this is the perfect book to return to once you develop your understanding.
Pre-order Brittany Ducham’s Radical Remedies: A Herbalist’s Guide to Empowering Self-Care Pick up from bookshelves today and April 20th.
Radical Remedies: A Herbalist’s Guide to Empowering Self-Care
3 p.m.
A useful guide for herbalists
8.0 / 10
