Book review

Herbs for Healthy Aging: Natural Prescriptions for Vibrant Health
By David Hoffmann
Healing Arts Press, 2014, 372 pages, $22.95
ISBN: 978-1-62055-221-6

Although it’s been around forever, herbal medicine just keeps on flourishing. More and more people are turning to the natural world for health and healing.

With a kind of herbal renaissance taking place, there’s a need for knowledge. Even those who rely on Mother Nature’s medicine chest might not know all of the intricate aspects of so many different herbs—for example, that willow acts as an anti-inflammatory, red sage helps soothe a sore throat, and nettles cleanse our bodies.

That’s where David Hoffmann’s latest book comes in. The third edition of Herbs for Healthy Aging: Natural Prescriptions for Vibrant Health is as comprehensive as it gets.

Hoffmann, a clinical medical herbalist who lives in California, is a reliable guide. He makes it clear that the book is geared toward people over age 50—but even younger readers can benefit from learning about herbs, ranging from agrimony to yellow dock.

Even those who are skeptical of the powers of natural medicines will be won over by Hoffmann’s credibility. Early on in this hefty tome, he explains the effectiveness of so many herbs and acknowledges their limits.

“This is a book about using herbs to augment wellness and treat illness—not about magic bullets and ‘miracle herbs,’” Hoffmann writes. “Its goal is to contribute to a meaningful and fulfilling improvement in the quality of an individual’s life, rather than to a cumulative year count.”

In other words, don’t bother with this book if you’re looking for a quick fix or an overly simple path to longevity.

Do pick the book up, however, if you want to learn about 150 different herbs and how to use them properly.

Hoffmann meticulously pores over specific parts of each plant that have medicinal uses, as well as each individual herb’s actions, indications, preparation, and dosage. He addresses all of the body’s various systems—cardiovascular, immune, and reproductive among them—and the role certain herbs play in supporting those systems. Plus, he outlines symptoms of many serious health issues that warrant the attention of a natural health care practitioner.

With all that and more, Herbs for Healthy Aging is an invaluable resource.