“Making Plant Medicine,” Fourth Edition by Richo Cech
$24.95
“Making Plant Medicine” is generally considered to be the most entertaining, level-headed and trustworthy reference available for learning to make standard herbal tinctures, teas, syrups, oils, salves and poultices. The book introduces the concept of healing with herbs in a story format, following the adventures of a young family homesteading in the wild mountains of the Oregon Coast. The rest of the book is about making safe, inexpensive, effective and harmless herbal medicines from herbs that can be grown in gardens in North America. The formulary includes such important favorites as: Arnica, Astragalus, Burdock, Calendula, Dandelion, Echinacea, Elecampane, Gentian, Goldenseal, Hawthorne, Ma-huang, Jiao-gu-lan, Lobelia, Nettles, Sage, Stevia and Saint John’s Wort. The fourth edition includes 28 new herbs including Aloe vera, Andrographis, Ashitaba, Brahmi, Chameleon Plant, Hops, Osha and Rhodiola. May your copy soon be anointed with the happy splatter of homemade herbal remedies!
344 pages, soft cover, illustrated by Sena Cech Olivier
“Making Plant Medicine has been to bed with me, what more can I say?” English herbalist Mike Brook
In stock
Jackie (verified owner) –
Very informative. Used it to start my medicinal herb garden and will soon use the harvesting and tincture information.
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Question
Mara –
Do you ship to Europe (Italy)?
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
Hello Mara, Thank you for wanting this book. Please order the book at herbal reads. Here’s the link https://www.herbalreads.com/
Richo
(0) (0)
Question
Gwen –
Could you please explain the menstruum formula given in chapter 4 (The Mathematics of Tincturing) in more detail with a given example of figuring the math. The given formula is (50A:40W:10Gly) You explain the alcohol water formula math well, but the more complicated formula has no such examples. I have wanted to do one of the tinctures containing glycerin but am uncertain of the math. and being honest math is not my forte. So could please give a detailed example of said formula. Many thanks in advance. Gwen
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
OK, you missed the first part of the formula which is 1:5. So if you use 20 g of herb then the menstruum is 5 times that or 100 ml. of that 100 ml at (50A:40W:10Gly) you’re using 50 ml grain alcohol, 40 ml water and 10 ml glycerine. hope that helps. r
(0) (0)
Sherry Miller –
Can you please tell me what book or where to start. I know nothing, just starting to get prepared. I would like to be able to grow everything me and my family will need and be prepared for total isolation and self sufficiency. Not rely on having to purchase things if things get difficult to obtain if you know what I’m getting at. Please help me get started fast and in a hurry.
(0) (0)
Question
tuffy –
hello 🙂 this looks like the book i need.
i may need some clarification: is this book only about MAKING herbal medicines? Or is there also info on HOW to treat certain conditions? are there any sources, aside from personal experiences (which do count for a lot) to back up treatment and efficacy claims?
also, are there specific precautions, for example, certain tannins or astringent qualities in some (common medicinal) plants can cause mild toxicity or at least reactions in certain people; are these kinds of properties also discussed? (trying to ascertain depth of detail and completeness…).
once i discover which plants work for me, hopefully i will be ready for your other book(s) for growing these plants at home 🙂
thanks so much 🙏
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
Hi tuffy, The standard methods for tincture making are well illustrated. There is a formulary that discusses a wide assortment of herbs in detail, giving the parts used, the formulas for extraction, the expected activity against different ailments and the contraindications when applicable. This is all direct experience from the author who has over 40 years in the herb industry as a manufacturing herbalist and in herbalism as a village herbalist. There are no bibliographic echoes here, no this and that from the internet, just common sense and experience. richo
(0) (0)
kris10.ann.smith (verified owner) –
I wasn’t sure how much I’d use this book, but wanted to have it to cross-reference other texts I have. It quickly became one of my favorite herbal books! In fact, I just ordered a second copy because my original has been misplaced during home construction and I don’t want to be without it. If I find the copy I bought earlier this year, I’ll give it to an herbal friend. Richo writes as someone with decades of experience and a genuine desire to help others. He has a conversational tone that makes the whole book enjoyable simply for the sake of reading. Anyone who makes their own herbal remedies will be blessed by this book!
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
GieGie (verified owner) –
I am loving this book so much – very informative, very digestable, and very entertaining! I so appreciate Richo’s connection to Mother Earth and his unshakeable belief in plant medicine. It is so refreshing! As a woman of color, I also appreciate his many nods to traditional herbalist of Africa, East Asia, and indigenous Americans.
Richo has the type of knowledge that I believe was built over several lifetimes. There is a part in the chapter on infusions where he describes “the original mother of the wise woman tradition” making tea and muttering to herself the “cave equivalent of ‘pretty good’.” I laughed to myself thinking “maybe this was a past life regression, Richo?! ?”
Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Richo. I am committed to using only herbal medicines in my life and can’t wait to create them MYSELF! What an honor.
Herbal power to the people!! ✊?
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
GieGie, wow, thanks for sharing your thoughts on all this. I lived for three years in East Africa and I sweated with the Lakota. Both experiences completely changed my clueless preconceptions. Two nights ago I found a tick on my side (I know, really gross) and it had barely bit me but by the next day there was already a secondary infection. It was not a typical bullseye but it was itchy and pustular. I showered and went to bed but then my wife made me treat the spot with my herbal antiseptic (saint johns wort, yarrow and calendula). The itchiness went away and by morning I could barely see the lesion–all pustules gone–like you said–herbal power to the people. r
(0) (0)
GieGie (verified owner) –
Damn blood suckers! Thank goodness for your wife and for your herbal antiseptic! (I’m making a mental note to create one such antiseptic – my family has been ravaged by tick hitchhikers this season!)
By the way, would you advise against using a juicer to make herbal succi? I’m saving up for one of your tincture presses (cant wait to get my hands on that beautiful purple one, the color of the crown chakra!) and I’m wondering if there’s a way to start making them in the meantime… My sense is that while a juicer is a really harsh way of processing (and takes away the magical connection of grinding medicine by hand) it would otherwise be ok?
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
hi gie gie, any way you can get the juice out of the herbs, you can then combine 2 parts juice to 1 part strong alcohol and you have a succus! richo
(0) (0)
Magdalene –
Hello,
I have the previous versions of the book, but I would like to see the updated table of contents with the new herbs. Is it possible?
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
Hi Magdalene,
Give me your full domestic delivery address to herbseed (at) budget.net and I’ll send you a copy of the 4th edition. it is really a lot better. richo
(0) (0)
Question
Danielle Russell –
Hello! Does this book include tincture recipes for different herbs?
(0) (1) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
Hi Danielle,
Yes, that is specifically what this book does.
Richo
(0) (0)
lazywildswan (verified owner) –
If you are interested in herbal medicine, this is an invaluable resource. Even if you aren’t going to make the herbal medicine, this book gives details that will help you when you buy. For herbalists, I highly recommend getting this book because it provides a solid reference that is well-organized and concise. It is worth a few bucks to have a reliable resource, do not rely on random internet posts for herbs. After serving on a Cybersecurity Roundtable for five years, I have made sure that all my resource material is in print at my home, not online, on the computer, or in the cloud.
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Question
Marcie Hinker –
Is this a good book for someone who knows nothing of the properties of herbs? For example, if I know a loved one with bad cramps would I be able to look up what might be helpful in here or would I need know know what I’m looking for an then this would tell me how to make it? Thanks so much!
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
Hello Marcie,
Yes, this is a good description of the usefulness and format of “Making Plant Medicine.” The book is very good for all stages of herbal understanding and it has a very complete glossary and index. Richo
(0) (0)
Question
Leslie Tognacci –
Not a question but I was just looking at this book and seeds to order and this discount popped up in my email ! ♥️
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
Hi Leslie, That is what traditionalists call serendipity, and what star children call being one with the force! Richo
(0) (0)
Jenni Donahue –
Greetings! Your Making Plant Medicine fourth ed. has rave reviews! Do you have it in stock? Does it cover how to make rose hip oil? Can you briefly tell me how to do it, which oil is the best to infuse? Thank you! I will order the book and after I figure out which seeds I want, I will order some, as well! Thank you for getting me primed to change my life! I am a 30-year gardener and LOVE IT!! Really want to add medicinal plants to my repertoire! Thank you!!
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
Hello Jenni,
The book “Making Plant Medicine” is in stock and this is a good place to buy it, since shipping is free (vs amazon where another ~$4.00 is charged). The book does have an entire chapter on infused oils–you would probably want to use olive oil and dried rosehips, heated gently for 2 weeks and stirred daily, then expressed through cheesecloth or by using a tincture press. All these processes are carefully elucidated in the book. Richo
(0) (0)
Question
Joanne McGregor –
Hi, do you ship to New Zealand? If so, would it be the same shipping price for more than one book? I may have a few other friends that will also want to purchase this book.
Warmest regards, Jo
(1) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
Hi Joanne, Thanks for your interest in this book! You may have trouble ordering through this website to a NZ address. I recommend getting the book through herbalreads.com and you will have no trouble ordering. It is possible to get a wholesale discount on several books–the minimum purchase is described there at the herbal reads website. Also, if you want only a book or two, we can compare the actual shipping cost to what you are charged, and refund the difference. Richo
(1) (0)
Glenn –
Hi Guys, Can I Order a book. I live in Australia mate
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
Hi Glenn, In short your best approach would be to purchase online at herbalreads.com, which is set up for international delivery of our books.
Richo
(0) (0)
Question
Nancy Morgan –
How can I order the books wholesale? I’d like to offer them in my store. Wild Thyme Herb Shop in Waxahachie, Texas.
Thanks!
Nancy Morgan
512-284-1152
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
Hi Nancy, That’s easy, you just go to herbalreads.com and apply the appropriate discounts to your order. Its all there. Richo
(0) (0)
Monica –
This is one of my favorite books for making medicine. I have many books on the topic but this is my go-to. Richo makes it easy to follow a formula and includes information, examples, and explanations that can only come from exceptional knowledge, experience, and passion. It is entertaining and easy to follow. This is the book that gave me what I needed to make medicine that I could treat my family and friends with confidence.
(3) (0) Watch Unwatch
Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Monica,
Thank you for this review, it was very kind of you, and I’m glad the book has been helpful to you. We’re dusting off herbal medicine, shining it up, and centering it in our hearts.
Richo
(1) (0)
HARLE –
Does this book have colored pictures of plants for easy identification?
(0) (0)
Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Harle,
No, that is not the focus of this book. You can get a Peterson Field Guide for that info.
r
(1) (0)
Jerome River Jones. –
Any of the botanical work that Richo and his beautiful family around him have published since the the early 1980’s cannot be over estimated. What you read in any of the publications are true experiential writings and will prove to be derived from golden-honey and benevolent wisdom. It may drip from your lips for a long time after you put the book down. Always authentic in flavor, sweet or tannic as needed.
(1) (0)
Hannah M. (verified owner) –
This lovely book came in the mail today and after sitting and reading through I will say it is an easy to understand entertaining must-have for anyone interested in the power of plants as wellness!
Photo has been removed
(1) (0) Watch Unwatch
Beatrice Chris –
Great resource for any herbalist. Easy read of complex information. Thank you for this beautiful gift to the herbalists community. Making plant medicine is equally an art and a science. Knowing herbs from seed to maturity helps us being connected with the soul of the herbs. I can see this connection on your book.
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
Hi Beatrice,
Why, thank you for saying all that, it is very kind of you. I’ve had 4 editions with which to hone the magic.
Richo
(1) (0)
Question
John Harrold –
Where in Gresham can I find your books…..?? Don’t like buying online
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Admin Richo Cech –
Hi John,
OK, I can relate to that. I am unsure of any retail seller in Gresham. If you check the price of the book online. Up until Jan 1 2019, making plant medicine is on sale for $19.95 and shipping is free. You can send a check or money order to:
Strictly Medicinal, LLC
PO Box 299
Williams, OR 97544
Please include the item name and your delivery address and we’ll gladly send you the book–offline.
Richo
(0) (0)
Amanda T –
I have not been able to put this book down. Wow! What a work of passion and knowledge. I am so happy to have this book. It is what brought me to this site. Why isnt everyone reading this? We all spend so much money on “natural” health food store bottles of who knows what is in them… we all want to be healthy! This explains how to do it yourself! I bought my book from a book store, I did not know of this website. I will keep my book forever.
(4) (0) Watch Unwatch
Ren –
As a beginner gardener interested in growing my own medicinal herbs and making tinctures, etc. from them, I would like to invest in one book, either ‘Making Plant Medicine’ or ‘Growing Plant Medicine’ (which, I understand, is yet to be released). Please kindly advise which you suggest. Also, I am wondering if the information in ‘Making Plant Medicine’ will be included in ‘Growing Plant Medicine’ (and, if so, how much of it, percentage-wise). Thank you for your help!
(0) (0)
Richo Cech –
Hi Ren, There’s not much overlap between “making plant medicine” and the other books I’ve written. It sounds like you would benefit most from making plant medicine at this juncture. it will take you down the path. richo
(0) (0)