• Reveals how herbalism is a powerful way to participate in the green transformation underway in our culture
• Examines the radical and non-hierarchical roots of herbalism, the growth of spiritual awakening and social radicalism
• Looks at the most recent research in herbalism, revealing the exponential growth in peer-reviewed literature covering phytotherapy and other herbal-oriented healing modalities
Providing a comprehensive guide to the dynamic new landscape of modern herbalism, renowned medical herbalist David Hoffmann explores how ancient healing modalities are once again becoming prominent.
Using the concept of viriditas—the understanding of nature as divinely intelligent—Hoffmann examines biodiversity and chemodiversity, elaborating on the ecological role of human-herb interactions and coevolutionary relationships between species. Presenting evidence of medicinal plant use by animals and early humans, he reviews herbalism from its ancient roots to the modern varieties in practice today, emphasizing how herbalism that developed outside of the dominant culture laid the foundations for the effective, simple techniques relevant for our modern world. He examines the radical and non-hierarchical roots of herbalism, considering the parallels between the field’s development and the growth of spiritual awakening and social radicalism.
Exploring herbalism through the modern scientific lens, Hoffmann reveals the exponential growth in recent research and peer-reviewed literature on phytotherapy and herbs. He describes the problems inherent in herbalism’s integration into the global marketplace, emphasizing that herbalism must stay rooted in the health of the people to avoid becoming commodified. He offers a range of herbal approaches to support personal and cultural resilience during the myriad crises humanity is facing. Ultimately, Hoffmann says, a vibrant culture of herbalism can have critical implications for the future, serving as a crucial force for health and resilience.
“Goes far beyond the science of herbalism by deeply connecting us to viriditas, the power of the green. A testament to grassroots herbalism that has always been and will always be, Herbal Intelligence places herbs at the forefront of coping with a precarious future. David’s gem of a book illuminates how the power of the green may help us not only survive but thrive.”
“Herbal Intelligence is a brilliant work with surprising insights. It provides deep historical context for people’s herbalism while challenging us to take personal responsibility. As we witness the collapse of various systems—ecosystems, societal structures, health care—it urges us to ‘build a resilient medicine chest.’ David has given us a practical guide on how local herbs, herbalism, and community herbalists can play a meaningful role in survival and resilience in these increasingly uncertain times.”
“This book calls for a revolution, a green revolution. It delves into history, plant chemistry, synergy, new and old ideas, philosophy, ecology, and politics. It lays out the foundation for the use of herbs for personal, community, and global health, while breaking the links between the commodification and industrialization of plant medicine and our relationship with plants as our oldest allies in healing.”
“This book is on the cutting edge of herbalist knowledge. It explores the subject from its Paleolithic beginnings all the way to the research results of modern analytic science, while at the same time not forgetting holistic ecological aspects and the sacredness of life.”
