Written by Claude Davis and Nicole Apelian, Ph.D. The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies is a goldmine of information. If you’re interested in discovering herbal remedies that are growing right in your backyard, this book review is for you.
Today we are reviewing one of the most interesting books we have recently come across. It is a collection of different plant-based remedies written by Claude Davis, who was inspired by the treatments used by their grandfather, who was Native American.
Throughout the book, we are shown pictures of the plants that are being used to create the remedies in the book. The remedies are given step-by-step instructions and pictures to accompany each step of the process.
It is written in a manner that anyone, regardless of survivalist skill level should be able to pick the book up, go outside, look around, find the plants, and make the medicine without resorting to help from outside. It is difficult to write a book about such an important topic and break it down in such an easily understandable way.
This book threads that needle perfectly, making it the perfect companion for any outdoor lover.
Quick Breakdown
Through the book, you are taken on a journey of various biomes. Complete with tons of pictures to help you easily identify the plants, you are shown the plants you walk by every day that have amazing healing properties.
Then you are shown a walkthrough of how to prepare the plant for its medical properties with pictures to guide you.
Overall it is an amazing cookbook of sorts that shows you all the amazing tools available in the natural world around you. If you love natural remedies, it will likely be a fascinating read. Throughout the story, you are shown glimpses into the life of the author’s grandfather’s life and the people he helped with his medicines.
Part 1: Backyard Remedies
In the first section of the book, we are shown three different plant medicines—one to test pain, one for infections, and the other for plaque removal in your arteries.
Angry Bear Paw Extract
This is an extremely effective pain reliever that was given its name for the characteristics of native Americans who consumed the medicine before battle show the world.
It was used by the author’s grandfather in France during WWII to treat soldiers when pain suppression supplies became exhausted.
Log Man’s Mending Fur
This is an e tract of vodka and a specific type of northern moss that grows on trees known colloquially as old man’s beard or Log Man’s Mending Fur. It is one of the most powerful gram-negative bacterial antibiotics. Even more powerful than many pharmaceutical drugs.
Red Beak Powder Remedy
This a remedy used to treat high blood pressure by clearing your arteries of plaques. The remedy is made from the berries of a bush that Red Robin birds like.
Part 2: Wild Plant Edibles and Remedies
The second section of the book is devoted to the plants that are commonly found in our yards.
There is a weed that is probably in your yard that can be used to treat inflammation effectively.
An extract of the marshmallow plant is used to treat viral infections and even a tincture effective at rattlesnake bite treatment.
There are even more nuanced remedies you can around your house in the book too. If you want to see what all nature has provided you, this will serve as a great guide book.
Part 3: Prairie Plant Edibles and Remedies
The third section of the book is devoted to the trees and plants you find out in the Wild. There is a remedy from a shrub that is used to create a vapor from the leaves to treat lung infections or asthma. Another cool aspect of this section is that it shows you how to survive if you become dependent on foraging by showing you the wild plants and which parts are edible.
All in all, this chapter is extremely useful and could save a life in the right situation.
The plant that leaves thick burns on fur and clothing commonly found in the woods belongs to a plant that produces vividly sweet buds that can be eaten. It is also effective at improving circulation too. It’s a great way to finally rid yourself of the pins and needles sensation you get in your arms and legs after sitting on them funny.
Part 4: Wild Plant Edibles and Remedies
The book’s final sections show you the plants of the prairie and other edible plants and remedies. One of the most commonly found small fern plants is the Boneset is also incredibly effective at lowering patient’s temperatures when they are feverish.
Poultices can be made for quicker wound healing out of the succulent, commonly known as Cowboys toilet paper. Wooly lambs ear can be added to the poultice to stop bleeding that is not clotting. Its leaves are incredibly high in vitamin K. Vitamin K is the blood-clotting agent that is used By the military forces to stop bleeding in the field when shot.
Cat Tails are a common weedy plant that grows in and around lakes all over North America. It is a versatile plant that is useful for foraging material and as an effective local anesthetic. It can be made into flour and turned into a loaf of bread or eaten cooked.
The leaves extrude a gel substance between each other that produces powerful numbing. It can be used to treat a surgical incision site in a pinch or any other localized pain.
Part 5: Wild Tree Edibles and Remedies
The final section of the book devoted to the plant-based remedies is all about the various trees found in our country. One of the most common trees in the country can be used as a painkiller with medicine from its leaves.
It can be used as food by eating the leaves. The tree’s bark can even be turned into a strong rope if you strip it down to fibers and braid it.
Another common seed pod bearing tree that is covered in thorns is effective at treating cancers apparently.
The trees compounds were studied in a university setting and found to produce beneficial effects for most cancer types. The needles of the tree can be used to sew your clothes if you can’t find a sewing needle.
The seeds are edible and known to be very sweet tasting.
Final Verdict
This is an interesting book, to say the least. It is not a fictional piece of work but rather a compendium of botanical healing. If you are interested in learning about the history of botanical healing, the stories told by the author of their grandfather are captivating.
Accompanied by photos of the events he describes, it is nearly unbelievable that times were not for the photographic evidence from a time long before photoshop was conceived.
If you are looking for a book to read, that will tell you a fictional story Then You might be better off looking elsewhere.
You should not pass this book up, though. It is not meant to entertain but rather serves as a useful guide. You may never find yourself in a tight spot where you need the knowledge contained within the pages of this book. However, if there ever were a time you needed it, the knowledge would quickly become invaluable.