A
City Herbal
by Maida Silverman
Ash Tree Publishing 1990
PB 181
ISBN# 1-888123-001
Review by Christina
Francine
Live in the city, but daydream about harvesting
healthy herbs? You’d plant your own if only there was
a place to grow them. What is a city dweller to do? Well,
you go wild crafting (picking wild herbs) like country folk,
that’s what. Where, you say? No need to take a long
drive. Look around your area. Chances are those plants crafty
enough to sprout between slabs of concrete or vacant lots
are more than a “weed.” Now, you say I see plants,
but how do I know what is safe? You need a reference, right?
That’s where Silverman’s book comes in.
Silverman
longed for a fantasy garden once from her city home and attempted
a modest version, yet it didn’t work out. Then, she
realized one-day greenery already grew around her, and so,
her study and involvement began. She realized later that there
had to be others who felt as she did and thus wrote “A
City Herbal.”
Hardy herbs/weeds manage to grow in cities.
Silverman chose thirty-four plants special to her and included
them in her book. She’d like others to realize that
even in crowded areas with generous acres of buildings, and
blacktop, special plants are found. These hardy inhabitants
aren’t a weed to be spurned, but often offer natural
aide and beauty. Silverman narrows the vast spectrum down
to the most common.
Many herbal books are on the market, but how
many are specifically for city-folk?
The Book Contains:
| -Author’s Notes
-Acknowledgements
-Introduction
-Bittersweet
-Blackberry
-Bouncing Bet
-Burdock
-Butter-and-Eggs
-Chicory
-Clover, Red
-Clover, White
-Daisy
-Dandelion
-Dock -Golden Rod
-Ground Ivy
-Japanese Knotweed
-Lady’s Thumb
-Lamb’s Quarters
-Mexican Tea
-Milkweed
|
-Motherwort
-Mugwort
-Mullein
-Mustards
-Plantain
-Poison Ivy
-Pokeweed -Prickly Lettuce
-Queen Anne’s Lace
-Ragweed
-Shepherd’s Purse
-Sorrel
-Saw Thistle
-Wild Sumac
-Yarrow
-Appendix
-Glossary
-Selected
-Bibliography
-Index |
Silverman raises fine points and provides information
and sketches of herbs often found between cemented dwellings.
She offers inspiration for those aching for access to natural
plants.
Readers, whether city or country, will find
Silverman’s book useful in becoming acquainted with
wild herbs. She’s done her homework. Her compilation
is a useful and organized handbook in alphabetical order.
She thoughtfully provides a glossary for quick study with
meanings of herbal terms and a quick-find index.
I appreciate Silverman’s book, and even
though I live in the country, will use it.
Christina
Francine's published work has appreared in magazines,
newsletters, newspapers, and the Internet. Fiction includes
Fantasy, Children's, and Suspense. Non-fiction includes Herbs,
Horses, Tips and Public-Awareness. She's published multiple
book reviews for authors, publishers, and publications. Also
software reviews.
As an advocate for migrainers she offers information, help
and LINKS at
www.cfrancine.bizland.com
Her Motto: "Pursue Your Dreams and Live!"
If you are interested in purchasing a copy of
A City Herbal by Maida Silverman
please visit wisewomanbookshop.com
An
excerpt from
Super Supplements for Skin, Body & Mind
by Dalia Santina, Ph.D.
From the chapter on the herb Dandelion
Dandelion is also restoring, preserving, clearing,
balancing and has anti-inflammatory properties as well as
some potential for fighting cancer (it stimulates white blood
cells). It helps reduce cholesterol levels, and is good for
anemia, gout, rheumatism, abscesses, fluid retention, constipation,
and breast tumors.
Dandelion contains high amounts of potassium
(an electrolyte and a natural salt) which is why it acts as
a good diuretic that helps the function of the kidneys. In
fact, dandelion’s diuretic and laxative effects help
stimulate excretion of urea, while its bitter qualities help
remove fats from the liver and the blood. Dandelion is also
high in calcium which makes it a good alternative for those
who can not tolerate dairy foods. It is also rich in choline,
a factor of the B-complex vitamin that is so important for
liver health. This is why dandelion can greatly help the liver
do its job properly, i.e., detoxify and purify the blood by
filtering clotting substances, drugs, hormones and any toxic
accumulations.
Main benefits: Dandelion
enhances bile flow which is essential for liver function and
immune health. Studies have shown that dandelion prevents
or treats congestion and inflammation of the liver , thus
helping prevent cirrhosis, as well as the gall bladder, helping
prevent the formation of gallstones. Due to its liver healing
effects, dandelion has been used in medical practice to successfully
treat hepatitis, swelling of the liver, jaundice, and dyspepsia
with deficient bile secretion.
Other uses: Dandelion
has the ability to help do the following:
• Strengthen the kidneys to remove excess
water from the body without the depletion of potassium.
• Stabilize blood sugar level that may,
otherwise, lead to unhealthy eating patterns and hypoglycemic
symptoms such as fatigue and irritability.
• Clear the complexion from blemishes,
age spots, and other skin problems caused by toxic liver or
digestive problems such as acne, blisters and warts.
• Relieve constipation, headaches, joint
pain, arthritis, spleen ailments, edema, chronic fatigue syndrome
(CFS), and anemia.
• Reduce the frequency of gall bladder
attacks.
• Improve appetite as well as heal minor
digestive problems.
• Facilitates absorption of fat including
fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K and the carotenes) which
is essential for energy and strong immune system.
• Help fight cancer.
In general, dandelion root is good for all kinds
of liver and gallbladder problems. It actually rejuvenates
the entire body....
About the author:
Dalia Santina, Ph.D., is a dedicated international
author, licensed aesthetician, nutrition consultant, aromatherapist
and iridologist. She earned her doctorate in Holistic Nutrition
from the Clayton College of natural health, with an emphasis
on natural healing therapies. In keeping with her major interests
in nutrition/beauty research and education, Dr. Santina was
awarded numerous training diplomas and certificates from leading
American and European aesthetic schools and cosmetic companies.
Her many years of experience in running her successful skin-care
business "Dalia's Skin Club", led to the publication
of her two books "Holistic Skin is…IN"
and "Super Supplements for Skin, Body & Mind".
Other books on related issues are to be published in the near
future. Through her well-received seminars, Dr. Santina updates
both, the public and professionals (skin/hair/nail) on the
very latest in nutrition and aesthetics. Dr. Santina has been
a welcome guest on KDOCTV. She has also been featured in some
of the most prestigious skin care and fashion publications
including Skin Inc., and Dermascope magazines. Dr. Dalia Santina
is listed in Marquis Who’s Who for the year 2002.
Click
here to read an excerpt from Holistic Skin
is... in by Dalia Santina, Ph.D.
Join
Waynonaha this fall at the Wise
Woman Center
Woodstock, NY:
Waynonaha,
teacher and story-teller of the Bear Clan, is a certified
nutritionist and a spiritual healer; She is a descendent
of a line of traditional Healing Women.
ENERGY TEACHINGS
October 16, 2004
Each Workshop: $50-75. $25 deposit.
We are spiritual beings, we are
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As we walk upon the Earth we focus our
energy on our earth path and the truth of who we are.
Everything that we do uses energy as we invest the essence
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we invest must be replaced in order for us to walk in
a whole manner, centered in our truth. Join us as we
explore who we are as energy beings in relation to our
connection to the Earth. We will travel back in time
by journeying to the drum into the Great Mystery, the
place from which we came, and all that is. Bring open
hearts and open minds for sharing.
HEALING THROUGH NATURE
October 17, 2004
Each Workshop: $50-75. $25 deposit.
Learn to heal yourself and others with the aid of
nature and natural law with Grandmother Waynonaha Two
Worlds who has traveled extensively around the world
and throughout the United States. We share a common
thread that connects all cultures. The knowing of joy,
love, and the grief of loss are common human issues.
In this workshop we will be going within
to fill our own inner void; then redirecting this energy
for transformation. As we view the process of how nature
grows we see the connection to our spiritual learning.
In planning our movement toward goals and change in
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spiritual world. The focus will be learning about our
own boundaries and acceptance in the sacred hoop of
life. This is a life experience sharing circle.
Objectives: Accepting Loss; Filling the
void; Letting go; Forgiving; Achieving Balance and Harmony;
Learning to assert your self; Finding the right tools.
How do these issues fit in life’s
larger picture? What do I do after a devastating loss?
What are the characteristics of a healthy relationship?
Trust that you like these they are very
good life based programs for survival. Love, Waynonaha
To register for Wise Woman Center workshops, send deposit
(see specific workshop for deposit amount) and indicate
which workshop you want to attend and contact info:
Wise Woman Center PO Box 64, Woodstock, NY 12498
Fax questions to: 1-845-246-8081
You may also choose to pay by credit card:
www.wisewomanbookshop.com
Please send us
email, to confirm availability, before registering
online.
