The Earthwise Herbal Repertory: The Definitive Practitioner's Guide

Matthew Wood has written several books that are indispensable for herbalists, particularly "The Book of Herbal WIsdom," (TBOHW) which goes most deeply into deeply knowing each herb described, referred to by some as "The Book of Matthew." His two Earthwise herbals distill all his wisdoms and knowledge into shorter, but still useful, profiles for each herb. He takes a holistic view to prescribing , common to homeopaths and to herbalists of his generation, taking into account the whole constellation of symptoms, and not prescribing isolated herbs for isolated symptoms, but discerning one or a few herbs that best fit the whole picture.Matthew has keen, incisive insights into psychological, spiritual, and physical profiles and their herbal allies, and takes great joy in discovering the particular genius and energetic patterns and knowings each herb can teach us and reveal. He is famous for his "Wood doses" of tinctures, often prescribing only 1-3 or 3-5 drops under the tongue of the particularly perfect remedy for each patient, treating the patient rather than the disease, with often anecdotally wonderful results, (anecdotes MOSTLY shared in TBOHW, "Seven Herbs" and his other Earthwise books) healing symptoms that have often lingered for years with often dramatically quick resolutions.. These doses make him much more akin to homeopaths than most herbalsists before him, as do his methods of whittling down to the perfect remedies.This book distills years of knowledge even more than previous works, trying to help us discern the best herbs for individual patients using several different low-tech systems of diagnosis, and cross-referencing symptoms, now based more on pathologies more than keen psychological insight in his previous books. Energetics, or tissues states, synthesizing ancient Greek, Chinese, Ayurvedic and Appalachian systems; organ affinity, and specific indications (for which his older above-mentioned books are very helpful,) and taste are the rational methods he provides for finding the correct remedy. But until one has internalized knowledge of plants through knowledge of his and other herbalists books, and herbal school or apprenticeship, and through working with plants, growing them and walking, with permission, amongst them, the best herbal ally for the patient before us is unlikely to "simply pop up into the mind," as Wood suggests happens, and indeed does with experienced herbalists...This book has NO INDEX for HERBS to get a better picture of individual herbs by a composite of their actions, so this book by its title and design is meant to be used in concert with Wood's two "Earthwise Herbals" and/or his "The Book of Herbal Wisdom," and ones accumulated knowledge of herbs. The subtitle says "The Definitive Practitioner's Guide," and indeed this book might be overwhelming for a novice to make good use of, but for the rest of us, intermediate and advanced practitioners, remedies we are not much accustomed to using can pop up into the mind more easily with a brilliantly distilled book such as this by our side. Some herbal books, often compiled by non-herbalists, manage to say very little of value, but this book brims over with nutrient-dense discerning insights born of years of research and working with clients and herbs... Even very experienced herbalists could not help but be in awe of the deft movement from one herb to a better herb for the very specific picture of surrounding symptoms, with many more herbs and conditions listed than his earlier repertory included in "The Book of Herbal Wisdom." We know we will have many "Ah Ha" moments of discovering herbs helpful to clients that would have never popped into our possibly less encyclopedic, wise, and brilliant minds.Wood and helper David Ryan tantalize us with descriptions of essential books in homeopathic literature useful for discerning remedies that even those who have studied homeopathy may yet to have encountered.Matthew shows much more respect towards and appreciation of mushrooms than in his previous books, and has descriptions of a few other herbs like bilberry, rhubarb, and peach that he also had not enough appreciated until now. And he finally includes in this bibliography books by Susun Weed! For emotional issues he might benefit from seeing Deb Soule's excellent formulary.

a really good book for you if you are an herbalist. we suggest it

This gem of a book arrived yesterday and I spent hours reading it last night. The brief review of tissue states with lists of herbs to consider for each was a great addition to this book. (For more in-depth info on tissue states see Matthew Wood's book "The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism"). There was also a review on tongue conditions with a diagram of a tongue and organ system areas identified, as well as plants listed for each tongue body and coating picture. It was such a nice review, quick and easy to read and reference too. The indexing and table of contents work very well - these are the first places I look in a book, to gauge how easy the book will be to use. The List of Herbs was very helpful in looking up the latin names of unfamiliar herbs to find the common name. I wish every herb book had a list like this! Of course the best part is the listing of herbs by organ system with a few extra words about each. Its so quick and easy to use and has already proven a great reference in a few areas I was looking for other plants to try.

This book was a little confusing at first. Until I realized that the herbs are listed by botanical name instead of common name. I like that it is categorizes herbs based on disease and illnesses.

I am so thankful for this book and Matthew Woods’ other book. I’ve bought a decent amount of herbal medicine books, his are my favorite. Very thorough and well-researched. This one is so handy because while most books list herbs with descriptions, this one lists conditions with a thorough listing of herbs that are helpful for each condition. I’ve found it to be a very valuable reference when trying to figure out how to treat something.

Good book with adequate depth of information on various parts of the system and the relationship with natural herbs etc.

I have several of his books and love them all. This repertoire is a long awaited addition to the Earthwise Herbals which I also have. Half the work of choosing a herb is done. With the repertoire giving you the most appropriate herbs for a condition , one only has to figure out which herb matches the person for that condition, and the Earthwise Herbals give you the info on the individual herbs to do that . He also included an over overview of herbal energetics with examples of how to use them when choosing a herbal remedy. Thank you Matt Wood for this excellent new reference!

another outstanding book from one of the greatest herbalists of our time, it immediately went into my "within arms reach" stack of invaluable reference guides at my formulation desk. Matthew Wood has written several books sharing his deep understanding of the energetics, actions, and mechanisms by which herbs work. In this book, he shares the herbs with affinities for specific conditions of each body system, organ, and pattern of illness/disease, not only from his own vast experience as an herbalist, but notes those recommended by other well-respected herbalists. This book is for the practitioner who needs a quick-reference guide to the alternative herbs for each condition that already has knowledge of each herbs energetics.

best herbalist. Not for beginners.Better suited for more advance study into herbs

More of a register, a place to quickly look things up for people that already have a good knowledge of herbalism. I am still at the beginning of herbal studies and it has a limited use for me. Anyhow, I can already see how in later herbal practice this will be a very useful resource.

A wonderful book to have on your library shelf. If your like me & have a cabinet full of herbs then this is book is for you. I have bookmarked the most important pages to go back to when in need.

I am a medical herbalist and until this book was written, there was no other source of information like it. I am also a homeopath and repertories form our backbone of our practice. As I studied for my BSc (Hons) in Herbal Medicine I couldn't understand why we didn't have a repertory to help analyse cases and to find out more information, we are expected to learn as many herbs off by heart instead. Matthew a Wood has seen the value in having as much information at your fingertips as possible. Technically you could now practice as a herbalist with just three books if you wanted to: this repertory and his two Earthwise materia medicas. Thank you Matthew Wood for taking the considerable time and effort to compile this book. It is invaluable. If you are a student or professional herbalist these books are a must. If you are an interested layperson, you will find out more information on how to help the human body than you will in any other herbal book. Buy it!

I must have over 100 books in my herbal collection and yet somehow not a single one of them captivates like this. This is such a special book. It’s one you can curl up beside the fire with a warm cup of tea and lose yourself for hours. The knowledge, the details…it’s truly a wonderment. Definitely recommend