Betzy Bancroft is an American herbalist based in Vermont; she has decades of experience teaching medicine making. Betzy states, “Early in my life, plants started to grow into me, giving me a deep appreciation for their magic and gifts.” She worked at United Plant Savers from the initial days, and co-founded the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, where she serves as a teacher, clinical mentor and practitioner.

 

Books from the publisher Chelsea Green are a delight to hold and read. Herbal Pharmacy is colourful, with glossy pages, stand-out recipe boxes and absolutely stunning photographs. As well as being fabulous to behold, the book is practical, with the photos aiding understanding; Betzy acknowledges that many of us find it easier to learn visually. Further, we learn by practice. Herbal Pharmacy is a complete guide to making and taking, replete with reference tables detailing effective ways to prepare and administer commonly worked with herbs, and guides for maths calculations for weight-to-volume extracts (don’t panic if you feel less than brilliant at maths, they are taken step-by-step). As well as maths, there is a detailed discussion of the science of extracting, considering surface area, energy, proportion and solubility. There is a deep dive into constituents, in a functional way that inter-relates components with how they can be best extracted, for example considering how to put solubility information into practice. The tables describing water-soluble and alcohol-soluble constituents make the whole concept easy to understand. 

 

Interwoven seamlessly with the chemistry, there is a heartfelt discussion of the importance of having the right relationship with plants, nature and the seasons, and rich description of folk methods, moon phases and magic. Betzy describes Herbal Pharmacy as being a guide to the science and magic of preparing and administering plant remedies.

 

I was a little concerned that Herbal Pharmacy would have a focus on plants that grow in America, that I would not feel so connected to, but this proved not to be the case. Recipes start with a chamomile tea, and include hot onion poultice, garlic oxymel, rose glycerite, mugwort and yarrow tinctures, and dandelion succus. They range from the simple, including peppermint cold infusion, through to the more complex preparations, such as holy basil spagyric alchemical extract. Principles and steps are explained clearly for the novice, and there are ideas to interest the seasoned herbalist, including tooth powder made with arrowroot, clay, willow bark, yarrow, thyme and peppermint essential oil. One of my personal favourites is the recipe for blood-building truffles: truffles and medicine. There are good recommendations, including tea-blend ideas. Betzy also explains how the creativity of making our own recipes is key. 

 

Herbal Pharmacy is a beautifully laid out book that is clearly written in an easy and engaging manner, and is a valuable addition to every herbalist’s bookshelf. It is a truly timeless book, perfect for practising professionals and passionate kitchen-herbalists.

 

Review by Kathleen Jones

 

You can purchase Herbal Pharmacy Here