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Books
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A Cactus Odyssey: Journeys in the Wilds of Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina
by James Mauseth, Roberto Kiesling and Carlos Ostolaza
This book presents the lively stories of three avid field biologists who over the course of fifteen years frequently traveled together in search of cacti in Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina. Documents their field work studying, collecting, and researching those countries’ intriguing cacti. They cover the natural history, ecology, and a little ethnobotany of many plants offered in our Sacred Succulents catalog. Includes nearly 200 color photographs. Recommended! Now out of print, Only a couple left!!
Hardcover, color photos, 306 pages $16 (normally $40!!) (1 lb)
Ancient Agriculture: Roots & Application of Sustainable Farming
by Gabriel Alonso de Herrera compiled by Juan Estevan Arellano
This is the first translation of Obra de Agricultura, originally published in 1513 as an instruction manual for farmers in central Spain. The influence of this excellent treatise eventually spread throughout Europe and the New World regions of the southwestern U.S., Central and South America. Much of the information in the book is highly relevant for sustainable agricultural practices today, from the backyard garden to large scale organic farms. Many traditional crops are discussed as well as soil improvement, harmonizing working the land with natural cycles and astrological influences, and the proper use of irrigation ditches. Essential for anyone interested in sustainable agriculture. Hardcover, illustrated, 168 pages $14.95 (normally $25 ) (2 lbs)
Chia
by Ricardo Ayerza Jr. & Wayne Coates
A much needed overview of the history, nutritional and medicinal value of this forgotten yet important Central American crop. Details Chia’s ancient and contemporary use in Mesoamerica as food and medicine. A thorough breakdown of Chia’s nutritional value and comparison to other sources of EFA’s, protein, and antioxidants. Also contains a good synopsis of current agricultural practices for Chia in Central and South America. Softcover, black & white illustrations, 200 pages $14.95 (1 lb)
Creating a Forest Garden: Working With Nature to Grow Edible Crops
by Martin Crawford
A good introduction to creating a food forest. Straightforward advice on designing, planting and maintaining a diverse polyculture of edible and medicinal plants, from small yard gardens to larger plots. Presents many novel approaches to edible horticulture that even the most seasoned organic gardener will find refreshing. Profiles many unusual edible/medicinal trees, shrubs and groundcovers and how to integrate them into a productive agroforestry system. An excellent companion to Dave Jacke’s mammoth Edible Forest Gardens, but much more accessible to those just starting a food forest. Though the main focus is temperate climates, the information is applicable to other regions as well.
Hardcover, color photos, 384 pages $49.95 (4 lbs)
Edible Forest Gardens, Volume 1 & 2
by Dave Jacke and Eric Toensmeier
These monumental volumes are the definitive work on temperate climate permaculture gardening and land stewardship. Explains how we can participate in ecological revitalization while producing our own food and medicine through growing useful plants together in mutually beneficial groupings that are self maintaining. We have found this set to be an invaulable reference.
Volume 1 covers in detail the ecological and cultural context for forest gardening. It offers clear and concise directions for designing and maintaining such gardens.
Volume 2 builds on the ecology of the first volume to offer practical techniques for constructing functional gardens of any scale–from a small back yard to many acres of land. It also contains important information on the food, medicine, and functional value of hundreds of plants and how they can fit into a forest garden. Each volume stands on its own, and are highly complementary as a set. Very useful to those gardening outside temperate climates as well.
Volume 1: Ecological Vision & Theory for Temperate Climate Permaculture
Hardcover, color illustrations, 378 pages $69.95 (normally $75 ) (3 lbs)
Volume 2: Ecological Design & Practice for Temperate Climate Permaculture
Hardcover, black and white illustrations, 655 pages $69.95 (normally $75 ) (4 lbs)
SPECIAL! Volume 1 & 2 as a set for $126 (7 lbs)
Fruit & Nuts: A Guide to the Cultivation, Uses & Health Benefits of Over 300 Food-producing Plants
By Susanna Lyle.
Details 300+ subtropical and temperate fruit and nut plants. All the well known cultivars and lesser known species such as Goji berry, Seabuckthorn, Che, Haw, Gevuina, Serviceberry, and lots more. Includes plant history, description, detailed propagation and cultivation, harvesting and storing, nutrition and health benefits, medicinal properties, etc. Out of print and nearly out of stock, only a few copies left.
Hardcover, 300+ color photos, 480 pages $38 (normally $60!) (5 lb)
Gaia’s Garden: A Guide to Homescale Permaculture
by Toby Hemenway foreword by John Todd
Expanded 2nd edition. One of the best organic horticulture book we’ve come across and an excellent introduction to permaculture concepts. Hemenway offers up a gardening system that combines features of wildlife habitat, edible/medicinal landscapes, and conventional flower/vegetable gardens into a self renewing low maintenance backyard ecosystem that balances the needs of humans and nature. Really everything you need to know to have an ecologically vibrant vegetable garden and yard. An excellent guide to incorporating many of the interesting and unusual edible and medicinal plants that we offer into your landscape.
Softcover, color illustrations, 314 pages $34.95 (2 lbs)
Grafting Guide
by Sacred Succulents
Grafting of a slower growing species onto a faster growing stock increases plant growth significantly. It is a viable means of quickly producing mature specimens for seed production and vegetative propagation. This illustrated guide covers all aspects of grafting, from week old seedlings to mature specimens. Includes tricks we have learned over the years that help make this valuable conservation technique accessible and practical. Focuses mainly on Cactaceae but coverage is given to Euphorbiaceae, Apocynaceae and other succulent families. $9.00 postage paid.
Green Inheritance: Saving the Plants of the World
by Anthony Huxley foreword by Sir David Attenborough
A beautiful book celebrating the diversity and importance of the botanical world. An introduction and overview of the plant kingdom and ethnobotany detailing our remarkable dependence on our green brethren for food, medicine, fuel, and even clean air. Discusses a broad spectrum of conservation issues. Lavishly illustrated with gorgeous paintings and photos throughout, this is an excellent book to deepen your appreciation and understanding of our green inheritance.
Softcover, color illustrations, 192 pages $15.95 (normally $30!) (2 lbs)
Herbal Emissaries: Bringing Chinese Herbs to the West
by Steven Foster & Yue Chongxi
This important collaborative work blends eastern and western traditional wisdom and scientific knowledge of 44 Chinese herbs including Astragalus, Codonopsis, Dan Shen, Eleuthero, Ginkgo, Ginseng, He Shou Wu, Lycii (Goji) berry, Jujube, Licorice, Schizandra, etc. The history, medicinal uses and dosage, distribution, cultivation, harvesting and processing of each herb is thoroughly covered. An fascinating and useful reference for herbalists, gardeners and conservationists.
Softcover, color photos, 356 pages $19.95 (2 lbs)
Imperfect Balance: Landscape Transformations in the Precolumbian Americas
edited by David L. Lentz
An amazing collaborative effort detailing the extensive interactions and modifications of the vegetation and land by the precolumbian peoples of the Americas. An interdisciplenary work from experts in botany, paleoclimatology, ecology, and conservation management, that reveals the secret of how indigenous people heavily modified North and Central America, the Andes and Amazonia. Thoughfully arranged with an overview of each regions botanical richness, coupled with case studies of human alterations to the vegetation, fauna, soil, hydrology, microclimate and land surface itself. Vital information on how we may be able to avoid the ecological mistakes of past cultures and begin to learn from their remarkably innovative relations to the land! Highly recommended.
Softcover, black & white photographs, 547 pages $17.95 (normally $42.50) (3 lbs)
Invasion Biology: Critique of a Psuedoscience by David Theodoropoulos
The author has worked in the field of conservation biology for over 30 years and with extensive research brings to light the controversial yet compelling deduction that the invasive species “crisis” lacks scientific merit. With a fascinating overview of evolutionary biology, invasion is shown to be a completely natural phenomenon, essential to evolution. Through personal field work and a highly thorough, non-biased examination of the work of invasion biologists, the author demonstrates how scientific facts do not support the widespread belief that invasive species are damaging ecosystems. What the data does show is that they often increase biodiversity, may prevent extinctions, and aid in restoring disturbed and polluted environments. With a wealth of evidence, the whole concept of invasives appears to be a major scientific blunder based on misperceived notions arising from our loss of intimacy with the natural world. Most importantly, the author points to how the the natural dynamics behind invasion can be harnassed to aid species conservation. Even if you don’t agree with all the author’s analyses, the facts must be considered. Essential reading!! For more info see- www.dtheo.org
Softcover, 256 pages $32 (1 lb)
The Medicinal Herb Grower: A Guide to Cultivating Plants that Heal
by Richo Cech illustrations by Sena Cech
Brand new book from master plantsman Richo Cech, sure to become a classic. Draws on the author’s 25+ years cultivating and living with an amazing diversity of medicinal plants. Pretty much everything you need to know about natural organic gardening techniques, from seed to harvest, for a great majority of healing herbs. This is hands down the best reference for medicinal plant cultivation there is. Full of personal anecdotes and life stories, not only useful, this book is a joy to read!
Softcover, black and white illustrations, 159 pages $19.95 (1 lbs)
Medicinal Plants of the World
by Ben-Erik van Wyk and Michael Wink
Comprehensive and easy to use reference guide to more than 320 of the most important medicinal plants and their close relatives. Each plant is documented through several striking color photographs along with description, geographical origin, therapeutic category, historical and modern uses, active constituents and pharmacological effects. This excellent book also contains overviews of the various healing cultures of the world, ailments and their treatments, the pharmacology of active compounds, and a quick guide to 900 of the most well known medicinal plants of the world. With over 800 color photos, this book is an instant classic!
Hardcover, color photos, 480 pages $25.95 (normally $40) (3 lbs)
Native American Medicinal Plants: An Ethnobotanical Dictionary
by Daniel E. Moerman
Borne out of the author’s monumental Native American Ethnobotany, this volume focuses exclusively on medicinal plants, over 3000 species used by 218 tribes in North America! Arranged into 82 categories of medicinal uses ranging from analgesics, contraceptives, stimulants, kidney aids, to love and witchcraft medicines and toothache remedies. A top notch easy to use reference.
Softcover, black & white illustrations, 799 pages $29.95 (3 lbs)
People & Plants in Ancient North America, 2 Vol.
edited by Paul E. Minnis
A fascinating work of prehistoric ethnobotany. A comprehensive overview of what is known of the interconnectedness of people and plants over the past 12+ millennia in North America. The major topics are the uses of native plants, the history of crops and their uses, and how humans influenced and altered their environment. These fascinating volumes not only contribute to our understanding of the lives of ancient Americans and their shaping of the environment but also provide essential lessons for how we might develop meaningful sustainable relations to the ecosystems of North America today and rekindle long forgotten relations with the flora that surrounds us. These volumes are required reading for anyone interested in the history of the region, ethnobotany, ecological conservation and restoration, permaculture, organic agriculture, and sustainable living. Excellent companion volumes to Tending the Wild, and Imperfect Balance.
PEOPLE & PLANTS IN ANCIENT EASTERN NORTH AMERICA
Areas covered – the Northeast, Eastern Woodlands, Plains, and the Caribbean. Softcover, black & white illustrations, 423 pages $35 (2lbs)
PEOPLE & PLANTS IN ANCIENT WESTERN NORTH AMERICA
Covers the prehistoric ethnobotany of the Southwest, Great Basin, California, and Pacific NW. Softcover, black & white illustrations, 440 pages $35 (2lbs)
SPECIAL! Both volumes of People & Plants in Ancient North America for $62 (3 lbs)
Perennial Vegetables: A Gardener’s Guide to Over 100 Easy to Grow Edibles
by Eric Toensmeier
A useful illustrated guide to growing some of the fantastic but relatively unknown perennial food crops. From the common (asparagus, artichoke) to exotics such as air potatoes, chufa, camas, the “lost crops of the Incas” (oca, ulluco, yacon, mashua, achira, golden berry, etc.), ramps, Opuntia spp., Lycium, pepino, Toona, nettles, and much more! Details organic cultivation and permaculture integration, harvesting techniques and culinary recipes. In a time when self reliance is ever more vital, this book offers assistance in diversifying your garden for year round harvests while aiding the conservation of heirloom crops. Discusses many plants that we offer. Essential.
Softcover, color illustrations 241 pages $35 (2 lbs)
Planting the Future: Saving Our Medicinal Herbs
edited by Rosemary Gladstar and Pamela Hirsch
Viable conservation methods including land stewardship, habitat protection, and cultivation, along with the medicinal uses of over 30 endangered North American herbs are thoroughly covered in this important volume featuring over 30 highly respected herbalists. To name a few of the plant covered- Calamus, Kava, Echinacea, White Sage, Yerba Santa, Goldenseal, Ginseng, Wild Yam, and more. Recommended.
Softcover, color illustrations, 328 pages $22.95 (2 lbs)
Plants of the Four Winds: The Magic and Medicinal Flora of Peru
by Rainer W. Bussman and Douglas Sharon
A guide to 510 plants used in the medicine and shamanic practices of northern Peru. The herbalism of the region is a rich legacy that dates back at least 2000 years. Having survived 500 years of colonial persecution it now confronts the threat of losing many important medicines due to deforestation and mining in the Andes along with the erosion of cultural knowledge that faces many traditions in this age of global capitalism. This book is a major conservation effort for preserving botanical wisdom. Each plant has an entry with common and scientific names, detailed uses, administration and preparations along with a black and white photo of the dried or fresh plant as it is commonly found in the Peruvian herbal markets. One of the only books in English to thoroughly document plants used in Andean herbalism, serving as an important repository of unique plant knowledge. Though the focus is northern coastal and the adjacent highlands of Peru, many of these plants are utilized throughout the Andes. We have found this an invaluable reference for our own Andean studies. The entire text is bilingual English/Spanish.
Softcover, black & white photos, 596 pages $29.95 (3 lbs)
Principles and Practic in Plant Conservation
by David R. Given
An extensive treatment of the issues of plant conservation. Examines the causes of plant rarity and endangerment, and details the management of plant populations in natural habitats, in modified landscapes, and off-site. The importance of botanical gardens and amateur horticulturists to germplasm preservation is explored. Going beyond the biology of conservation, chapters are devoted to the ethical, educational, and economic aspects of plant conservation. An essential reference for those concerned with how best to preserve our botanical heritage, from conservationists to home gardeners. Out of print, we have a handful of new copies left.
Hardcover, black and white illustrations, 292 pages, $15.95 (normally $40) (2 lbs)
The Remarkable Baobab
by Thomas Pakenham
Acclaimed historian and author of Remarkable Trees of the World, devotes an entire volume to one of the most impressive life forms on our planet, the fantastical Baobab tree. 8 years in the making, the author traveled the world in search of the most striking Baobabs, this book is a photographic and literary ode to these gargantuan trees. Covers the ecology, mythology, religious impact, value as food, medicine, and shelter. An informative and entertaining read, packed full of spectacular and bizarre color photographs.
Hardcover, color photographs, 145 pages $14 (normally $20!) (2 lb)
Tending the Wild:
Native American Knowledge and the Management of California’s Natural Resources
by M. Kat Anderson
The most significant and impacting book we’ve read in the last few years. A thorough and unparalleled account of the profound interrelationship Native Americans had with the California landscapes and how this influenced the evolution of plant and animal communities over millennia. Plenty of insight into how we might begin to use indigenous knowledge in our own conservation efforts, how we can rekindle the human-nature relationship through restoring and reinhabiting our neglected and damaged lands. The author presents a wealth of information on native land management practices gleaned from interviews with indigenous Californian elders and an extensive survey of historical records. The complex picture that emerges from this explodes the myth of Native Californians as “hunter-gatherers” or “foragers.” What early European explorers and settlers mistook as pristine untouched wilderness was in fact a vast intimately managed “garden.” This volume carefully illuminates the variety of ways early Californians purposefully tended their environment and how these practices gave rise to California’s unique habitats, increased biodiversity and sustained beneficial vegetation types. Through annual controlled burning, coppicing and harvesting, California’s once majestic woodlands, sweeping grasslands, dazzling wildflower meadows, and expansive wetlands were shaped and maintained. This provided an abundance of food and material goods for what was one of the most dense and diverse native populations in North America. The astounding loss of biological and cultural diversity, the extreme and drastic changes brought on by European colonization, the far ranging affect of the decline of California tribes and suppression of their land management practices is hard to fully grasp today, but the author does an excellent job presenting this history. She helps to reshape our understanding of native cultures and environments, not just in California, but around the world. We come to see indigenous people as active agents of environmental change and stewardship. This volume offers a view of human beings as full participants in the natural world, a much needed remedial middle ground to the modern polarity between the industrial overexploitation of nature and the preservationists’ hands off approach. Traditional ecological knowledge is vital to developing a meaningful sustainable life in our modern global age, this work offers much practical wisdom. It has radically altered the way we look and relate to the ecosystems around us. We consider this book required reading for anyone living in California and recommend it widely to everyone interested in deepening their relations with nature.
Softcover, black and white illustrations, 555 pages $24.95 (2 lbs)
Shipping for Books
To determine shipping costs, add up the number of lbs in parentheses ( ) that is listed after the price. Priority Mail- add $6 for the first lb, $2.25 for each additional lb. When ordered with plants just add $2.25 for each lb
Books only sent Media Mail – add $4 for the first lb, $0.75 for each additional lb
Please email us for international shipping costs; sacredsucculents@hushmail.com
Succulent Natural Products
Copal Oro
Dried pieces of sap wildcrafted from Bursera microphylla (Burseraceae) trees in Baja, Mexico. This “food of the gods” can be burned as a delightfully sweet, purifying incense. Powdered and dissolved in alcohol or vegetal oils for its antiseptic properties.
Out of Stock
Frankincense
Dried tears of sap from the bizarre Boswellia carteri (Burseraceae) trees of Somalia. An ancient incense widely revered since the dawn of civilization, often in combination with myrrh. At one time worth more than its weight in gold! It has a powerfully rich fragrance that produces a calm meditative state, heightening mental perception. It has very strong anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal properties.
1 ounce $3
8 ounces $15
1 pound (16 oz) $22
Myrrh
Dried pieces of sap from Commiphora molmol (Burseraceae) trees of northeast Africa. Utilized for thousands of years as a precious medicine, sacred incense, perfume and ointment. A powerful antifungal, antibacterial and broad spectrum antiseptic for treating wounds. Powdered or dissolved in alcohol it can be made into a mouth wash. Taken internally as an expectorant, it can help treat colds, boost the immune system, aid digestion, and may even reduce cholesterol. Produces a heavenly aroma when burned, said to revitalize the spirit.
1 ounce $3
8 ounces $16
1 pound (16 oz) $25
Natural Products Shipping & Handling
Up to 8 ounces $3.50
9 ounces to 1 pound $5
$2.25 each additional pound
$2.25 per pound when ordered with plants under 8 ounces with plants = free shipping
Multiply shipping costs by 2.5 for international orders
Please send $2 ($4 international) to receive our fully illustrated, highly informative catalog and additional supplements.
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