Medicinal Plants of the American Southwest (Herbal Medicine of the American Southwest)

My scores are based on the usefulness of this book for foraging medicinal plants.Overall rating: 4 starsNumber of plants: 3 starsTreatment lists: 4 starsTreatment details: 3 starsPicture types: color photographs, color paintingsPlant identification: 3 starsWho will find it useful: novice to expert herbalists, homeschoolers, medical professionals, preparedness & self-sufficient folks, chemistsNotes: The best thing about this book is its easy-to-understand explanations of how the chemistry of the plants interact with the body and how to extrapolate these effects to other plants containing similar chemicals. The author's writing style is very colorful and engaging yet also very clear and his medical background adds a high level trustworthiness to his words. The book covers plant treatments for many common complaints and illnesses such as skin rashes, cramping, arthritis, stomach issues, insomnia and other day-to-day aliments. Unfortunately it lacks a good cross-reference between aliment and plant cure, but the book is so pleasant to read that reading it cover-to-cover isn't a chore.This is the most science-based herbal book I've read, but you don't need a science background to understand it. However, since I am a chemist I find this book to be my most trusted herbal reference guide. His footnoting and and reference lists are second to none. While the plants he writes about are mainly found in the arid southwest, the biochemical interactions of these plants can be applied to other plants found throughout North America. His glossary is also more comprehensive than that of most other medicinal herb books.

Finally, the book I've been searching for since I moved to the Southwest 14 years ago! I learned two amazing things in five minutes of opening this book. There are photos of each plant in the center part of the book. I just wish they were with the plant and some were a little more clear for those of us not so familiar with native medicinal plants of our region. Overall, an invaluable buy!

Charles Kane is a great person, and a solid well informed author. The American southwest has been my home for over 35 years.I love the plants and arid climate. Even with my already extensive knowledge I need more education at times. He does an amazing job of bringing together information necessary for the proper use of local flora.I have gifted 2 of these to local friends and family and have one for myself currently.Looking to pick up more soon! My kids will need one when they move on with their lives!

This is an excellent reference book. It is a little dry and the pictures were all in the center rather than with the plant descriptions. I'm sure that was done to save on printing costs--the pictures are on high glossy paper and there are photos as well as phenomenal drawings by Frank Rose. The photos and drawings are probably the best I've ever seen in this type of book. Instead of cross-referencing the pictures to the descriptions the photos are alphabetized making making finding the picture very easy.The book is well-written and an excellent reference especially for anyone living in the southwest. When the author does tell personal stories about experiences with the plants, (finding them or using them) they are very good. I wish more of these personal notes were in the book because they were enjoyable, but I suppose there was only so much paper.

I liked the nonconformist style of the author. Clearly, he knows his subject. He is precise and to the point.

The info is useful and well organized. I love the way it has an index to look up the herbs by the body system. The alphabetic index and the glossary are also very well organized and helpful. The herbs and their uses are just what I was looking for in this part of the country. Some of the medicinal lanuage in the book may get a bit technical for people who do not have a background in the medical fields. However, if you invest in a good medical dictionary to go with it, you should be able to discern everything the author wants to convey. I'm an RN, so it was perfect for me. I have an RN friend and after she saw it, she bought a copy also. My boyfriend wants a copy too.

It's a very nice and detailed book however, it's like the old books back in 1994 where the middle of the book has color pictures of the variety of plants but the rest of the book is black and white text only. But very useful!! Just wish the pictures were located with the plants description in the book.

Thx