Kathi Keville

(also posted on my site The Paperback Stash)

It's amazing that I can go out and buy several $20+ 'recommended' books, and the 5-8 dollar paperbacks end up being the best. Such is the case with Kathi Keville's Herbs for Health and Healing. While not an herbal that is the end all of every herbal out there, it's extremely informative, enlightening, easily digestible, and chocked full of useful information.

The author genuinely has a love of herbs and a belief in their performance; for a change we show more have an herbalist who really is one, and not just trying to cash in on the latest craze. This little gem is broken down cleverly, with each section as exciting as the last. The introduction alone is useful, highlighting some of the common reasons to use herbs and natural remedies; she lists facts that are eye openers and refreshing.

Why Use Herbs? further demonstrates her reasoning, listing the troubles of combating side effects, the benefits of herbs, how they work, why they do, and more.

The second, Herbal Preparation, briefly touches upon various way to use herbal remedies and make your own. It's of course clear to see this should be included, and included in this order. She mentions main herbal preparations, with some brief illustrations. There is not outright detail, but it's clear enough to get the basic idea.

The third section, Herbal Medicine, breaks down the larger sections into various body systems, beginning with the Brain and nervous system, ending with The skin. Each system is introduced with the roles it plays, things that can go wrong, and why they do. From here on she lists major complaints, symptoms and causes, backs up the herbs recommended with various studies, then backs up further with personal experience, and THEN usually has a basic formula to recommend. Excellent quick resource for a variety of maladies, clearly and confidently written.

For part 3 we have Living with Herbal Wisdom. Here she devotes an entire chapter to Men's Health, then Women's, then Childrens. Everything from hormones and infertility, to colic, to male baldness is touched upon. The section for children is an especially welcome entry; teeting, earaches, sugar blues, you name it.

And....this isn't all. Chapter 14 lists Herbal first aid, helping you establish a 'first aid kit' , why the herbs are recommended, how to use them, etc. Here she goes into detail on poison oak, ivy, bug bites, stings, mosquito repellants, and sunburns.

Chapter 15, aptly titled Cautions and Considerations, warns about using things safely. Topics include essential oils, identification, contamination, endangered herbs, and rare reactions. 16 dives briefly into the huge pool of aromatherapy, something that is obviously a first love for Kathi. In fact, she has other books on this subject alone. Techniques and measurements are all laid out. The list keeps growing - chapter 17 brushes upon Skin Care - including hair of course. Homemade beauty recipes, as well as combating skin issues and problems - are mentioned. Great extra! Finally, chapter 18 is about cooking for health - delicious recipes are given for soups, oils, vinegar, spices, pestos, veggies, hot sauces, homemade coffees, ending with candies such as ginger and horehound drops.

I repeat, sometimes the more expensive, bigger, prettier book is skimpier. From skin and cosmetics to cooking to first aid to body conditions, it's all here. It's not the most advanced herbal out there but it's not too basic for those with experience. Beginners will easily understand, while those who know their stuff will keep learning as the page turns. At this price, it's a bargain, a steal, almost a sin if not purchased. show less

Aromatherapy
by Kathi Keville and Mindy Green

This 246 page tell all on aromatherapy was amazing. I learned oh so much about not only the different smells and how they helped us, but also where and how the different essences were made. I also got some really imaginative ideas on how to use the difference oils, including would you believe making smelling salts like they did in years gone by.

There is something for everyone in this voluminous find. I even saw recipes for putting essential oils in show more food, that to me took a few minutes to get around, but the end result was delicious. You can even make aromatic body powders, and potions also for what ever type hair you have. I felt like a big kid in a candy store, and this one has definitely made it into my spiritual toolbox. I would recommend this very special, well presented guide to anyone who is drawn to the experience of Aromatherapy. Thanks you two, I know many will find it useful.
Love & Light

Riki Frahmann show less

This was a fun book to read, it includes the historical uses, growing guide, uses for cooking and medicinal uses of many herbs. It also has lovely drawings of each one. Many of these plants are ones that I consider weeds and methodically eliminate from my garden, but now I may think twice before rooting up Purslane and Dandylions.

Whether you are new to herbal healing, or already have some experience, this book will be a delight.

"Women's Herbs Women's Health" is a great resource for all women that would like to know how to use herbs to treat their most common ailments.

The authors start out with some general information on herbs, their history, and how to prepare them. Then they go over women's hormones and what you can do to stay balanced. After that, it gets a little more specific, with an individual chapter for show more almost every common female problem, namely:

- Mood Disorders
- PMS
- Menstruation
- Anemia
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Vaginal Infections
- STDs
- Cervical Dysplasia
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids and Cysts
- Menopause
- Osteoporosis
- Heart Disease
- Pregnancy and Birth

Each chapter goes over the symptoms and causes, and then explains how a medical doctor would treat the problem. After that you learn how you can treat yourself with dietary changes, supplements and most importantly herbs. I especially liked that there were a lot of tincture and aromatherapy recipes included. It's just very rewarding to make your own herbal medicine.

This book is so packed full with useful information, that I still discover something new every time I open it up. I just wouldn't want to be without it. show less