Medicinal Herbs of California: A Field Guide to Common Healing Plants
296Medicinal Herbs of California: A Field Guide to Common Healing Plants
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Overview
- Photos and descriptions to help with positive identification
- Common and scientific names and the plant families
- Conservation status
- Modern and traditional uses
- The science behind natural phytochemicals that have earned these plants a place in Native American medicine for thousands of years.
Product Details
ISBN-13: | 9781493058020 |
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Publisher: | Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. |
Publication date: | 12/30/2021 |
Pages: | 296 |
Sales rank: | 311,922 |
Product dimensions: | 5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d) |
About the Author
Lanny earned a biology degree at the University of California where he completed independent studies in naturopathic medicine under physiology professor Dr. Henry Hilgard.
Lanny is a faculty member of the 'sher Lifelong Learning Institute at California State University, Channel Islands. He served as chief consultant on medicinal plants for the redesign of the Swimmer Medicinal Garden in Playa Vista. Lanny actively shares his work online through his website (HerbWalks.com), newsletter, and social media.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments xii
Introduction 1
A Brief History of Medicinal Herbs in America 5
Sustainable Collecting 8
Native Plant Conservation 10
Collecting, Drying, and Storing Herbal Home Remedies 14
Preparing Herbal Home Remedies 16
How to Use This Guide 18
Lichens 24
Shield Lichen family (Parmeliaceae) 25
Usnea genus 25
Usnea (Usnea spp.) 25
Gymnosperms 28
Cypress family (Cupressaceae) 29
Cedar group 29
Incense-Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) 29
Western Red-Cedar (Thuja plicata) 30
Juniperus genus 35
California Juniper (Juniperus californica) 36
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis) 37
Sierra Juniper (Juniperus grandis) 38
Western Juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) 39
Utah Juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) 40
Ephedra family (Ephedraceae) 44
Ephedra genus 44
California Ephedra (Ephedra californica) 44
Nevada Ephedra (Ephedra nevadensis) 44
Green Ephedra (Ephedra viridis) 45
Pine family (Pinaceae) 49
Pinus genus 49
Pines (Pinus spp.) 49
Magnoliids 57
Laurel family (Lauraceae) 58
Umbellularia genus 58
California Bay (Umbellularia californica) 58
Lizard-tail family (Saururaceae) 62
Anemopsis genus 62
Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis californica) 62
Monocots 66
Grass family (Poaceae) 67
Avena genus 67
Wild Oats (Avena fatua) 67
Eudicots 71
Muskroot family (Adoxaceae) 72
Sambucus genus 72
Blue Elderberry (Sambucus nigra subsp. caerulea) 72
Black Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa var. melanocarpa) 73
Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa var. racemosa) 73
Carrot family (Apiaceae) 78
Foeniculum genus 78
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) 78
Sunflower family (Asteraceae) 82
Achillea genus 82
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) 82
Artemisia genus 86
Coastal Sagebrush (Artemisia californica) 86
Estafiate (Artemisia ludoviciana) 87
Great Basin Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) 88
Mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana) 92
Grindelia genus 95
Grindelia (Grindelia camporum) 96
Matricaria genus 99
Pineapple Weed (Matricaria discoidea) 100
Pseudognaphalium genus 104
California Everlasting (Pseudognaphalium californicum) 104
Solidago genus 109
Goldenrod (Solidago velutina subsp. californica) 109
Borage family (Boraginaceae) 113
Eriodictyon genus 113
California Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon californicum) 113
Thick-Leaved Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon crassifolium) 114
Woolly Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon tomentosum) 114
Sticky Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon trichocalyx) 115
Cactus family (Cactaceae) 121
Opuntia genus 121
Prickly-Pear Cactus (Opuntia spp.) 121
Heath family (Ericaceae) 126
Arctostaphylos genus 126
Manzanita (Arctostaphylos manzanita) 126
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) 127
Pea family (Fabaceae) 132
Glycyrrhiza genus 132
American Licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota) 132
Beech family (Fagaceae) 136
Quercus genus 136
Oak (Quercus spp.) 136
St. John's Wort family (Hypericaceae) 142
Hypericum genus 142
Tinker's Penny (Hypericum anagalloides) 142
Gold-Wire (Hypericum concinnum) 142
Klamathweed (Hypericum perforatum subsp. perforatum) 143
Scolder's St. John's Wort (Hypericum scouleri) 143
Walnut family (juglandaceae) 147
Juglans genus 147
Southern California Black Walnut (Juglans californica) 147
Mint family (Lamiaceae) 151
Clinopodium genus 151
California Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii) 151
Marrubium genus 154
Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) 154
Mentha genus 158
Wild Mint (Mentha arvensis and Mentha canadensis) 158
Prunella genus 161
Self-Heal (Prunella vulgaris) 161
Salvia genus 163
White Sage (Salvia apiana) 165
Blue Sage (Salvia dorrii) 169
Purple Sage (Salvia leucophylla) 170
Black Sage (Salvia mellifera) 171
Hummingbird Sage (Salvia spathacea) 176
Scutellaria genus 179
Skullcap (Scutellaria californica) 179
Trichostema genus 182
Woolly Blue Curls (Trichostema lanatum) 182
Myrtle family (Myrtaceae) 186
Eucalyptus genus 186
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) 186
Poppy family (Papaveraceae) 190
Eschscholzia genus 190
California Poppy (Eschschalzia californica) 190
Rose family (Rosaceae) 194
Heteromeles genus 194
Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) 194
Prunus genus 199
Bitter Cherry (Prunus emarginata) 199
Hollyleaf Cherry (Prunus ilicifolia subsp. ilicifolia) 199
Catalina Cherry (Prunus ilicifolia subsp. lyonii) 200
Western Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana var. demissa) 200
Rosa genus 205
California Wild Rose (Rosa californica) 205
Bald-Hip Rose (Rosa gymnocarpa) 205
Woods' Rose (Rosa woodsii) 206
Rubus genus 208
Whitebark Raspberry (Rubus leucodermis) 209
Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus) 209
Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) 210
California Blackberry (Rubus ursinus) 210
Nightshade family (Solanaceae) 214
Datura genus 214
Sacred Datura (Datura wrightii) 214
Nettie family (Urticaceae) 218
Urtica genus 218
Giant Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica subsp.) 218
Dwarf Stinging Nettle (Urtica urens) 218
Caltrop family (Zygophyllaceae) 223
Larrea genus 223
Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata) 223
Tribulus genus 227
Goathead (Tribulus terrestris) 227
Recipes 231
Endnotes 250
Bibliography 264
Plant Index 276
Recipe Index 279
Contributors 281
About the Author 283
What People are Saying About This
"In Lanny Kaufer’s new book Medicinal Herbs of California, A Field Guide to Common Healing Plants (Falcon Guides, 2021), we find an encyclopedic presentation of a subject that transcends rote identification and gets to the heart of what it means to understand the land as a function of being human. By exploring the conservation status, the traditional and modern usage, and the cultivation of the entries, Kaufer’s holistic exploration of California’s herbarium reveals an inroad to an intimate identity with actually being from and learning to honor the place of his study. In Kaufer’s exhaustive, and yet exciting, exploration of California’s botanical portfolio, we have a treasured key to understanding, loving, and protecting the most special and sacred aspect of our local, natural world.” — Obi Kaufmann, Author, The California Field Atlas "Medicinal Herbs of California is a very useful resource that is filled with facts and stories about California plants. The book is fully referenced for more in-depth reading. Lanny Kaufer pays attention to the California Indian uses of the plants, especially Chumash, and teaches us how to use them correctly. I admire his ability to seek the truth about these plant medicines." —James D. Adams, Professor Emeritus, USC School of Pharmacy, Author of Healing with Medicinal Plants of the West "Lanny Kaufer has been teaching me about new plants as well as new uses of old plant allies for three decades. His exquisite attention to botanical science is balanced with respect for Indigenous systems of healing wisdom. Whether you are a beginner or a Ph.D., I trust that this will be your favorite new field guide. I love this book!" —Amanda McQuade Crawford, MA, MFT; Author, Herbal Remedies For Women; Director, PhytoHumana: Integrative Medicine "Lanny Kaufer brings together all the best elements to create a classic compendium of ethnobotany: years of respectful study with Indigenous elders, an extensive background in herbal medicine, meticulous research and documentation, exquisite photography, sensitivity to the sustainability and preservation of plant species, and an intimate personal knowledge of the regional ecosystems." —David Crow, Licensed Acupuncturist, Herbalist, Founder of Floracopeia, Inc. “This book is one of the best herb manuals I’ve seen in over a decade. It is a combination of practical botanical knowledge and plant identification, known science about the herbs, as well as decades of Lanny’s personal experience combined with the ancient wisdom of the oral tradition.” —Jake F. Felice, N.D., L.M.P. "This is a well-documented field guide for lay and herbalist alike, excellent for responsible gatherers to find and use helpful medicinal plants. So, get the book, put on a hat, and go out into our glorious California wild areas. Happy hunting!" —Mary Hardy, MD, Integrative Medicine Physician; Founder/Director, Wellness Works; Co-Author: Best Remedies: Breakthrough Prescriptions that Blend Conventional and Natural Medicine “Lanny Kaufer's years of experience and passion for hiking, exploring nature, and learning and teaching about the native plants of the West have found beautiful expression in his new book Medicinal Herbs of California. His rich knowledge of the history, botany, and biomedical research of some 70 plants is clearly presented. His book is a blend of scientific scholarship that satisfies the intellect along with Indigenous and naturalist experiential insights to nourish the spirit.” —John Hickey, Licensed Acupuncturist, Co-Founder and former Academic Dean, Santa Barbara College of Oriental Medicine "This is an outstanding book! As a professional field botanist, I really appreciate the author’s focus on the conservation status of the plants that he discusses, his many years of experience with these plants, his inclusion of propagation hints so that readers can avoid over-harvesting plants in the wild, the references that are cited, and the extensive bibliography that empowers the serious readers to do further study and research on their own." —Steve Junak, Author, A Flora of Santa Cruz Island; Research Associate, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden "Lanny Kaufer is well-known as a teacher of wild edible plants growing in the West. Now he has presented to us his first book of the medicinal properties of the wild plants you’re most likely to find throughout California. The book is properly organized from a botanical standpoint, well-illustrated, and well-researched. Whether you’re a beginning or a more advanced herbalist, Kaufer’s field guide is a must-have for your library. The book gets my highest praise and recommendation." —Christopher Nyerges, Author, Foraging California and Foraging Wild Edible Plants of North America; Co-founder, School of Self-Reliance "This is an outstanding resource for any herbalist, botanist, or conservationist in California! With a thorough accounting of Indigenous and modern uses of plants, field descriptions, conservation of rare and native plants, as well as ethical wild harvesting methods, Lanny provides a powerful bridge between the worlds of folk herbalism and modern science. Both practical and humorous, the tales of our local herbal allies are beautifully illustrated and brought to life. I will be recommending this book to my students for years to come!" —Emily Sanders, Founder/Director, Artemisia Academy of Herbal Arts & Healing “Lanny Kaufer has written an astounding book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Medicinal Herbs of California is an indispensable resource for nature enthusiasts and herbalism students alike. With special emphasis on ethics, conservation, and sustainable harvesting, this book is a reputable and thorough reference to empower its readers to look to California’s medicinal herbs for tradition- and science-based alternative healing modalities and know how to safely prepare them." —Jess Starwood, MS Herbal Medicine, Author, Mushroom Wanderland: A Forager's Guide to Finding, Identifying, and Using More Than 25 Wild Fungi "Lanny Kaufer’s easily digestible guide to common California medicinal plants is based on his extensive study of Indigenous and westernized botanicals and his years of experience leading plant walks, sponsoring events, and cultivating local vegetation. Especially helpful for my pharmacy practice is the Phytochemicals/Mechanisms of Action section. The tone of the book reflects his easygoing inclusive nature combined with deep respect for the uses and technical details of each botanical." —Pam Tarlow, PharmD, Integrative Health Pharmacist "Medicinal Herbs of California represents an immense undertaking in bringing the worlds of traditional herbal medicine together with modern science in a way that has not been done before for California native plants. This book belongs on the shelves of every herb and plant enthusiast, especially those in California but also beyond, as many of the plants included are endemic in other parts of the United States." —Roy Upton, RH, President, American Herbal Pharmacopoeia “Amazing work! What a joy to dip into such a concentrated yet accessible resource! Here we have a field guide that in its thorough, accurate and comprehensive coverage crosses the boundary from field guide to outright herbal. Beautiful photographs, clear descriptions, current science, traditional and Indigenous uses, and clear preparation instructions encourage time on the trail and in the kitchen. This is going right on the reading resource list for my school.” —Carol Wade, Founder/Director, Earth Island Herbs and Ojai School of Herbal Studies “Lanny Kaufer's years of experience and passion for hiking, exploring nature, and learning and teaching about the native plants of the West have found beautiful expression in his new book Medicinal Herbs of California. His rich knowledge of the history, botany, and biomedical research of some 70 plants is clearly presented. But for me the soul of this book is the stories he tells of his Native American and naturalist teachers and of his own experiences with the plants themselves. For instance, we can see that several tribal groups may use an individual herb in the same way, and at the same time there are unique applications within those groups. It becomes apparent that the relationship he is expressing to nature and the plant itself has been a lifelong journey of self-cultivation and revelatory insight. Lanny’s book is a blend of scientific scholarship that satisfies the intellect along with Indigenous and naturalist experiential insights to nourish the spirit. And his invitation is clear: to follow our own individual pathway among the world of plants and, as he says in his introduction, ‘you may find a connection to nature that no book, including this one, can provide.’” — John Hickey, Licensed Acupuncturist, Co-Founder and former Academic Dean, Santa Barbara College of Oriental Medicine "As a practicing herbalist for 52 years, I have collected every good book on herbalism and herbology I could. My 3 libraries are treasuries of hundreds of great herb books. I can honestly state that I have read them all, at least partially, and often from cover to cover. I rate them in my own mind based on quality of information, accuracy, organization, readability and value of the images. A book that rates high in all categories goes onto special shelves and contributes to special collections. As an elder in the current herbal field, and as the Master Herbalist of one of America’s leading herb companies, I have been exposed to both great books and garbage. I have come to be brutally honest. This book is great – especially for Californians. Lanny Kaufer’s terrific book, Medicinal Herbs of California - A Field Guide to Common Healing Plants, surprised me. I took a liking to it in an instant. I love how it is organized and it is professionally presented. It has all the 'scientific nerdy details,' precautions, and a robust section on endangered plants and what we can do about it, so after studying it you’ll be able to talk like a pro. Lanny methodically describes dozens of important native-California herbs in wonderful, rich, easy to understand language. This is really an excellent field guide and reference book. It’s also a great armchair reader. I have twelve professional herbalists who work for me. I’m going to give each of them a copy for required reading. As Californians, we need to know our native plants intimately. This book has inspired me to go on a wild herb hunt in the hills this weekend. I want to use more of the amazing herbs clinically in my practice. I highly recommend this book to everyone interested in wild California herbs. You’ll have professional level knowledge when you have made a good study of the book." — Ron Teeguarden, certified Master Herbalist, ordained Taoist Master, author of Chinese Tonic Herbs (Japan Publications/Harper & Row), and The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs (Warner Books, Time Warner Company), and Founder, President and Master Herbalist of Ron Teeguarden’s Dragon Herbs, based in Santa Monica, California.