Astro Herbalism: Holistic Wellness and Self-Discovery Through Herbalism and Astrology

Rosset, a Jungian psychoanalyst, details in her eye-catching debut how to use astrology to guide one’s plant medicine practice. Physicians in ancient Greece and China prescribed herbs based on a patient’s astrological sign, the author writes, tapping into a deep “resonance between the life force of plants and the life force of the cosmos.” She explains how readers can utilize that connection to analyze their birth charts and identify their key planets’ “archetypal signatures,” or primary characteristics and energetic force. When that energetic force is out of whack, readers can use a corresponding plant to correct for the resulting symptoms; for example, feelings of depression can be assuaged by St. John’s Wort, “which embodies the Sun’s radiant energy,” while rose and other plants that embody Venus’s “principles of love, beauty, and harmony” encourage feelings of love and self-acceptance. While beginners might wish for clearer guidance on analyzing their birth charts’ planet placements, advanced astrologers will gain much from Rosset’s thorough explanations of each herb’s properties and broad array of recipes for teas, skin care, incense, and bath rituals. Enriched by vivid illustrations, this compendium will satisfy readers seeking fresh approaches to plant medicine. (Jan.)