Herbal Medicine, Nutrition, Ayurvedic Lifestyle, and herbal-mixology gift books!
My 2017 list of gift books are written by herbalists, nutritionists, and Ayurvedic practitioners. The best of the books on herbal medicine, the best on nutrition, and lifestyle—three critical areas of health and well being are represented here.
As with the flow of things food-wide these days, people are more savvy than they were even two or three years ago. New books are likely to aim a little higher and give the reader a bit more than the very basic introduction on a topic. This is exciting because you can gain the kind of expert guidance of your very own private tutor from reading these books. Each author has something very special to offer.
See the newest addition to this list of gift books, for herbalists and would-be herbalists at # 11, below.
1. 
The Ayurveda Way: 108 Practices from the World’s Oldest Healing System for Better Sleep, Less Stress, Optimal Digestion, and More. / Ananta Ripa Ajmera, 2017.
A brief but serious book of wisdom, The Ayurveda Way… by Ananta Ripa Ajmera presents 108 short essays that introduce Ayurvedic principles to guide us in every area of life. Ajmera is 100% committed to the art and science of a lifestyle in tune with the earth, the planet we live on—an Ayurvedic life.
See a review of The Ayurveda Way in my post Sun Salutation the Ayurveda Way
2. 
Ayurvedic Lifestyle Wisdom: A Complete Prescription to Optimize Your Health, Prevent Disease, and Live with Vitality and Joy. / Acharya Shunya, 2017.
Ayurvedic wisdom follows an ancient system of health which urges an out-of-balance or sick person to seek stability and to regain health by connecting with Ayurveda, a science of the natural rhythms of life, beginning with the sun. Although it’s not hard to grasp something of the sun’s benefits to us humans, it’s another thing to bring that appreciation into practices that are both spiritual and health-oriented. A practitioner, educator, and interpreter does this with ease.
See a review of Ayurvedic Lifestyle Wisdom in my post Connecting with Ayurveda.
3. 
The Naturalist’s Notebook: an Observation Guide and 5-Year Calendar-Journal for Tracking Changes in the Natural World Around You. / Nathaniel T. Wheelwright & Bernd Heinrich, 2017.
There may be an early winter advantage in getting close to nature. The Naturalist’s Notebook: an Observation Guide and 5-Year Calendar-Journal for Tracking Changes in the Natural World Around You, which is about getting close to nature, is a long title that has a clear message. And it has the expectation that you use a specific type of journal, specifically a 5-year calendar-journal the authors designed…
The book’s presentation is charming, decorated with water-color illustrations and a wide ribbon, gold-edged pages and a place-marking red ribbon inside…
See a review of The Naturalist’s Notebook in my post Early Winter Advantage.
4. 
The Big Book of Kombucha : Brewing, Flavoring, and Enjoying the Health Benefits of Fermented Tea. / Hannah Crum and Alex LaGory, 2016.
I looked at this really exciting book for the ideas it offers on fermentation, thinking it would be a great way to start 2017. My instinct was right—the book is chock full of recipes and information on how to create the conditions for fermentation, how to carry out fermentation (and make SCOBY grow) and then to try your hand at drinks (of course) like ciders and smoothies, coolers, plus pantry staples like dressings and sauces, broths, vinegars, breads.
See a review of The Big Book of Kombucha on my post Big Book of SCOBY
5. 
The Herbal Apothecary 100 medicinal herbs and how to use them./ JJ Pursell, 2015.
For anyone who is excited by the possibility of applying herbs to their health, The Herbal Apothecary 100 Medicinal Herbs and How to Use Them by JJ Pursell is an educational kit worth exploring. In less than 300 pages, contained in the shape of a handbook rather than a heavy tome, is an encyclopedia of knowledge you need on herbal treatments. Covered by herbs are conditions ranging from women’s complaints to the common cold; author Pursell’s easy to read descriptions and explanations allow for access to better health with natural substances.
See a review of The Herbal Apothecary at my post An Apothecary for You.
6. 
Alchemy of Herbs. Transform Everyday Ingredients into Foods and Remedies that Heal. / Rosalee de la Foret, 2017
Alchemy, an ancient science of transformation, is really a form of translation—taking the inherent potency of a living plant to the level of a healing medicine we entrust our health to. Alchemy is recently a favorite word for many things on social media, but you’ll want #learningherbs or the author’s name, Rosalee De La Foret to share this author’s posts.
See a review of Alchemy of Herbs in my post Alchemy in Translation.
7. 
Wild Drinks and Cocktails; Handcrafted Squashes, Shrubs, Switchels, Tonics and Infusions to Mix at Home. / Emily Han, 2016
Containing all kinds of fruits, berries and herbs as additions to drinks for health and pleasure, Wild Drinks is a manual for handcrafted potables with the pizazz of nature’s flavors and the vitamin and mineral kick available from wildcrafting them. Both alcoholic and non, are offered in a near catalog of newly minted, old-favorite, even classic, recipes for your pleasure.
See a review of Wild Drinks and Cocktailsin my post Handcrafted Drinks, Wilder Flavors
8. 
Healing Tonics Next-level Juices, Smoothies and Elixirs for Health and Wellness. / Adriana Ayales, 2016.
Passion for tonics, those mysterious liquid formulations of herbs, fruits and spices, comes to life in a speed of light journey with author Adriana Ayales in Healing Tonics, Next Level Juices, Smoothies and Elixirs… Ayales’ childhood exposure to herbs as medicine, and especially to plants from the tropics in Costa Rica and their inherent powers for healing, drives the inspiration for this book, and for her life as an herbalist and owner of Botica and Anima Mundi Herbals in New York.
See a review of Healing Tonics in my post Passion for Tonics
9. 
DIY Bitters: Reviving the Forgotten Flavor; A Guide to Making Your Own Bitters for Bartenders, Cocktail Enthusiasts and Herbalists. / Guido, Masé and Jovial King 2016.
DIY Bitters: Reviving the Forgotten Flavor is a wonderful introduction to making and using bitters, those “forgotten” but ubiquitous purveyors of sophistication in drinks, food and medicine. I say “wonderful” because I actually thrive on bitter tastes for drinks (not necessarily alcoholic), and think they offer a purity that’s medicinal because they act on our liver, a primary detox center in the body.
See a review of DIY Bitters in my post Bitters Revival
10. 
Radical Beauty: How to Transform Yourself from the Inside Out. / Deepak Chopra and Kimberly Snyder, 2016.
In Radical Beauty, authors Chopra and Snyder have evolved the phrase “pillars of health” to become pillars of beauty, their model of beauty which is fundamental, essential and profound.
There are six pillars of beauty. In each pillar, we see how shifting your choice to whole foods, getting the right amount of sleep, tuning into the practice of aligning with nature, physical exercise, and spiritual wholesomeness actually places the means to attain beauty into the reader’s hands.
See a review of Radical Beauty Radical Beauty in my post Carbohydrates Provide Balance
11. 
Recipes from the Herbalist’s Kitchen: Delicious, Nourishing Food for Lifelong Health and Well-Being. / Brittany Wood Nickerson. Storey Publications, 2017. 303 pages, illustrations in color.
A brilliant and heartfelt message from the owner of ThymeHerbal.com
See a review of Recipes from the Herbalist’s Kitchen in my post Connect with Nature Your Nature.
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