Invasive Plant Medicine: The Ecological Benefits and Healing Abilities of Invasives

Timothy Lee Scott
Healing Arts Press (2010)
ISBN 9781594773051
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (09/10)

 

Most societies, especially Western, consider “weeds” as invasive and in some areas, by law, must be removed.  For example, the Canada Thistle is considered invasive in Canada and farmers must spray herbicides to kill it or be subjected to harsh fines.  Yet, in some parts of the United States it isn’t considered an invasive plant.

Timothy Lee Scott, an herbalist and acupuncturist, gives us an in-depth look into the various plants that have entered into our ecosystem. Most of these come from Asia and are considered medicinal in traditional healing there.  Yet, once discovered here in the United States, it is considered a weed.  Scott addresses issues such as: politics, science of invasions and herbicidal impacts, as well as areas such as ecology, chemistry, and treatment use.

For example, Thistle (aka Canada thistle, California thistle, bull thistle, spear thistle) has “been used in numerous herbal traditions...for thousands of years. The most famous of these is the use of milk thistle as a potent medicinal for liver health and detoxification.” (p. 289)   He also claims that the “expansive thistles and their seeds make a good substitute for milk thistle.”

For each invasive that Scott lists, he adds information about the plant, its description, collection and habitat, medicinal uses, plant chemistry, pharmacological actions, scientific studies, ecological importance, harvesting and preparing, dosage, cautions/contraindications, herb/drug interactions, and references.

“Invasive Plant Medicine” is very thorough and indicates that author Scott did extensive research into this subject.  I appreciated the colored pictures of the invasives in the center of the book, and the illustration of each plant in the content area.  I encourage readers to think about our environment and accept the medicinal uses of “invasive” plants because indeed they may not be as invasive as some expect us to think they are.  In order to sustain a healthy planet we must eliminate the use of harmful chemicals to destroy plants that are beneficial for our health and well-being. 

I commend Scott in giving us to become friendly with invasives.  “Invasive Plant Medicine” is not only a keeper, but a healer.

Make comment on weblog

FTC Disclosure