Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States--Book Review

Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States is another herbal medicine reference to consider for the preparedness bookshelf.  In terms of quality of research and writing as well as usefulness in a collapsed society with limited options for medical care, MPWMS is every bit as valuable as Stephen Buhner's books.  However, if you happen to live in the western mountain states or are planning to relocate there, this book may be the one to choose.

Author Charles Kane goes into explicit detail about each of the over 100 plants he profiles. Unfortunately, without a "look inside" feature on Amazon, you can't find out what he covers, so here's a list of plants for you:  agastache, agrimony, alfalfa, alumroot, angelica, Apache plume, arnica, asparagus, aspen, avens, balsam poplar, balsamroot, baneberry, arberry, bilberry, birch, bistort, bitterbrush, bogbean, buckthorn, bugleweed, checker mallow, chicory, cinquefoil, cleavers, coral root, cottonwood, cow parsnip, dandelion, dock, dogbane, elder, evening primrose, false Solomon's seal, field mint, figwort, fir, fireweed, fragrant sumac, gentian, geranium, goldenrod, green gentian, grindelia, hawthorn, hedeoma, henbane, hollyhock, hops, hoptree, horsetail, hound's tongue, juniper, larkspur, ligusticum, lomatium, madrone, marsh marigold, monarda, monardella, mullein, nettle, oak, oregongrape, oxy-eye daisy, pedicularis, pine, pipsissewa, plantain, pulsatilla, pussytoes, pyrola, rattlesnake plantain, red osier dogwood, red raspberry, red root, ribes, sagebrush, scarlet pimpernel, self-heal, shepherd's purse, silk tassel, skullcap, sneezeweed, spearmint, spruce, squawroot, st. john's wort, stachys, sweet Cicely, sweet clover, toadflax, usnea, uva-ursi, valerian, verbena, western mugwort, wild cherry, wild iris, wild rose, wild strawberry, wild violet, willow, yarrow, yellow pond lily.

You'll note that this list includes only those plants found in the wild; he doesn't address those herbs grown in gardens at home.  Many of these plants grow in other parts of the country as well, so those living outside the western mountain states may also find value in here. 

Unlike Buhner's books, Kane provides color photographs of each of the herbs.   Also, and this is a real plus, the description of each herb is accompanied by a map indicating the exact locations where it may be found. 

In addition, in the first section of the book, Kane provides clear, exact instructions on how to prepare herbs for use as syrups, teas, eyewashes, liniments, tinctures, etc.  These are medicines, and to work well, they must be carefully prepared and administered.  At the end, there is a glossary for unfamiliar medical terms, as well as an extremely helpful therapeutic index, i.e, a list of herbs that are used to treat specific symptoms. If you want to research a specific herb further, the author provides a list of references used for each of the plants.

While very well written, Medicinal Plants of the Western Mountain States is strictly a reference.  It's not entertaining as Buhner is at times, nor is it written with an eye towards preparing for an uncertain future.  Nor does Kane have the attitude of "conventional medicine bad, herbal medicine good."  It's a much more balanced approach, recognizing that each has its strengths.  

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