Held by the Land: A Guide to Indigenous Plants for Wellness

Ethnobotanist Joseph debuts with a rich field guide to the plants of the Pacific Northwest and their significance to Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) culture. She draws on her Skwxwú7mesh heritage to outline “land-based mindfulness practices” and profile tree, shrub, herb, and fern species with healing properties. Indigenous Americans, she notes, emphasize the relationships between plants to an ecosystem’s health, as reflected in the practice of managing “forest gardens” in which small fruit trees, berry bushes, and herbs are planted in the same area for their mutual benefit. To cultivate a connection to the natural world, Joseph recommends that readers “run yours hands over the trees or plants around you” and “notice how the ground and air feel.” Plant profiles of Pacific Northwestern species describe where each is commonly found, how to harvest it, and its special properties; for example, Labrador tea shrubs grow in peat bogs, can be harvested between spring and early fall, and have leaves that Indigenous people have used to treat respiratory problems. The focus on flora of the Pacific Northwest means this is mostly of interest to residents of the region, but the overview of plants with health or dietary benefits testifies to the rewards of getting in touch with nature. This will deepen readers’ appreciation for the restorative power of the outdoors. (Mar.)