Backyard Medicine

By Julie Bruton-Seal and Matthew Seal

Backyard Medicine is an in-depth, practical guide for gardeners, homesteaders, and anyone interested in harnessing the healing power of plants. Featuring more than 120 proven herbal remedies and nearly 300 full-color photographs, it equips readers with the knowledge to identify, harvest, and prepare a wide range of medicinal plants for everyday health needs. The book offers clear, step-by-step instructions for making tinctures, teas, salves, poultices, and infusions using plants that can be grown in the garden or gathered from local wild areas.

Authors Julie Bruton-Seal and Matthew Seal share time-tested herbal traditions alongside modern best practices, ensuring that each remedy is safe, effective, and tailored for home use. Practical plant profiles help readers recognize key species, understand their benefits, and apply them confidently to common ailments, from colds and digestive discomfort to minor cuts and skin irritations.

This resource encourages a deeper connection with the land by showing how to integrate herbal medicine into a sustainable lifestyle. Gardeners will appreciate its emphasis on cultivating plants for both beauty and health, while small farmers can benefit from adding medicinal herbs to their growing systems. With a blend of science, tradition, and accessibility, Backyard Medicine offers a valuable reference for anyone seeking to enhance their self-reliance and natural wellness toolkit.

Softcover. 206 pages. Skyhorse Publishing, 2009.

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