Herbs of the Northern Shaman

Name: Herbs of the Northern Shaman
Price: 20.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Author: Andrews, Steve
ISBN: 9781846943690

✍️ Andrews, Steve

☆ Reader reviews: none yet — be the first

20 $

📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Unearth the mind-altering botanical allies thriving in the ancient, cold lands of the North.

Steve Andrews invites explorers of consciousness to discover the profound spiritual and healing properties of plants growing in their own northern backyards. This unique guide moves beyond generic herbalism, focusing exclusively on species indigenous to cooler climates that have historically supported shamanic practices and altered states of awareness. Reimagined and expanded, this edition now features additional species and vibrant full-color photography, making it an indispensable resource for understanding the deep connection between northern flora and human spirituality.

Key themes

{'title': 'Indigenous Botanical Guides', 'body': "Andrews champions the wisdom of focusing on local flora for shamanic work. He argues that the most potent and accessible spiritual allies are often found in one's immediate environment, encouraging a deep, personal connection to the native plant life rather than seeking exotic remedies from afar. This approach fosters a grounded and sustainable practice."} {'title': 'Psyche-Altering Botanicals', 'body': 'Delve into the historical and cultural use of specific northern plants not just for physical healing, but for their ability to influence consciousness, facilitate spiritual journeys, and induce altered states. The book explores the traditional applications of these botanical agents in shamanic rituals, offering insights into their psychoactive properties and cultural significance across various northern traditions.'} {'title': 'Arctic & Boreal Wisdom', 'body': "This volume distinguishes itself by strictly surveying plants native to the northern hemisphere's colder regions. It uncovers the unique ethnobotanical heritage of these areas, revealing how indigenous peoples have long understood and utilized these specific species for both medicinal purposes and their profound spiritual effects, offering a specialized perspective often overlooked in broader herbal guides."}

🏛 Moon Books 📅 2015 📖 148 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781846943690

In stock — ready to ship

Fun fact

Steve Andrews’ "Herbs of the Northern Shaman" fills a vital niche, offering a deeply researched and beautifully presented exploration of boreal ethnobotany. Its unique focus on locally sourced northern species for shamanic and consciousness-altering purposes is its greatest strength. While those seeking a global overview of psychoactive plants might find its scope narrow, this book excels in providing detailed, culturally rich insights into a specific, often overlooked, botanical tradition. A must-have for serious students of regional plant wisdom.

📝 Description: Herbs of the Northern Shaman

Herbs that can be used to affect the mental state of the consumer, as well as for their healing properties, have been a part of cultures and sub-cultures all around the world ever since our early ancestors first started experimenting to find out what various plants could be used for. Author Steve Andrews takes the view that the best herbs for use by shamans are those plant teachers that grow locally. This book is unique because it focuses only on those species that can be found growing within the northern countries of the world. Best-selling author Howard Marks, aka Mr Nice, described Herbs of the Northern Shaman as EXCELLENT! That was for the original version of this book when it was first published with black and white illustrations and photographs. Now, Herbs of the Northern Shaman has been updated to include additional species of herb and fungus, as well as a whole new collection of stunning colour photos by Katrinia Rindsberg.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books — add yours →

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

For seekers interested in the historical use of plants for spiritual insight, those drawn to shamanic practices, or anyone passionate about ethnobotany of the northern regions. This book offers a practical and culturally rich perspective on connecting with local botanical allies.

Reader rating

Reviews yet. Be the first!

❓ Frequently asked questions

Unlike general ethnobotanical texts, this volume uniquely concentrates solely on the powerful plant and fungal species found within the northern countries, emphasizing their use in shamanic practices and for affecting mental states, rather than just physical ailments.

This is an updated and expanded edition of Steve Andrews' original work. It now includes additional plant and fungal species, along with a stunning collection of new, full-color photographs, enhancing the reader's experience significantly.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Indigenous Botanical Guides

Andrews champions the wisdom of focusing on local flora for shamanic work. He argues that the most potent and accessible spiritual allies are often found in one's immediate environment, encouraging a deep, personal connection to the native plant life rather than seeking exotic remedies from afar. This approach fosters a grounded and sustainable practice.

Psyche-Altering Botanicals

Delve into the historical and cultural use of specific northern plants not just for physical healing, but for their ability to influence consciousness, facilitate spiritual journeys, and induce altered states. The book explores the traditional applications of these botanical agents in shamanic rituals, offering insights into their psychoactive properties and cultural significance across various northern traditions.

Arctic & Boreal Wisdom

This volume distinguishes itself by strictly surveying plants native to the northern hemisphere's colder regions. It uncovers the unique ethnobotanical heritage of these areas, revealing how indigenous peoples have long understood and utilized these specific species for both medicinal purposes and their profound spiritual effects, offering a specialized perspective often overlooked in broader herbal guides.

💬 Quotes from the book

«The true wisdom of the forest often lies not in the exotic, but in the persistent, vibrant life that thrives just beyond your doorstep, waiting to share its ancient secrets.»

«To truly commune with the spirit of a northern herb is to understand its place in the harsh beauty of its landscape, and how that resilience translates into its subtle power over the mind.»

📜 Historical context

Humanity's journey with plants, exploring their varied effects, spans millennia. This book positions itself within the ancient lineage of shamanic traditions worldwide, which have long recognized specific botanicals as gateways to altered states and healing. By focusing on northern species, it highlights the often-underrepresented wisdom systems of colder climates, connecting contemporary interest with deep ancestral knowledge.

📚 Glossary

Shamanism
Ethnobotany
Plant Teachers

📔 Questions to reflect on

Reflect on a native plant in your own region. What traditional uses, if any, are associated with it, and how might you connect with its spirit?
Consider the concept of "plant teachers." How does this perspective shift your understanding of the natural world around you?
Imagine a shamanic journey guided by a northern herb. What insights do you anticipate gaining from such an experience?