Winner of Mary W. Klinger Book Award for outstanding book of the year, by the Society for Ethnobotany (2012),  and

James A. Duke Excellence in Botanical Literature Award Finalist (2012)

"This is the most comprehensive and richest ethnobotanical presentation on traditional bush medicine that I have seen. Many authors approach the subject of ethnobotany from the head and only capture a very tiny piece of what is encompassed in traditional healing systems. Jeffrey, Kathleen, and Patty have captured both the head, in an academically credible way, and the heart, with a level of cultural sensitivity reflective of the approach of traditional herbalists who live and breathe earth-based medicine. At a time when popular herbal medicine is on the rise worldwide but dominated by the herbal market, it is a pleasure and treasure to see the cultural orientation of traditional herbalists preserved."
— Roy Upton, R.H., DAyu., Executive Director, American Herbal Pharmacopoeia;
Co-founder of the American Herbalists Guild

"A sound ethnobotanical book with good coverage, pleasing format, written in an engaging style. The reader will especially enjoy, as did I, the interesting and colorful personal accounts of bush medicine. This book should be of interest to any curious traveler to the West Indies. I plan to have a copy with me anytime I return to the Caribbean, and I hope to include some of the new ethnobotanical data in an update of my Handbook of Medicinal Plants of Latin America. The wondrous field of Ethnobotany grows and grows, thanks to great books like this."
— James A. Duke, Ph.D. author of the CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs,
and The Green Pharmacy

"The authors have made a heartfelt contribution to ethnobotany of the region, apparently just in time before the healing wisdom of these precious people and their island is lost. Their work sings with love, respect and care for the healers interviewed and the plants featured. A most valuable resource for anyone interested in healing plants."
— Rosita Arvigo, D.N., co-author of Rainforest Remedies

"... what I find particularly attractive about this project is the dynamic and altogether refreshing way in which it presents traditional knowledge about bush medicines. ... This book feels as though it has emerged from the field, and not from a lofty tower. The interviews have more than mere data in them: they have story. And what beautiful stories they are, some of them with healing power in their own right."
— from the Foreword by Gary Paul Nabhan, internationally-celebrated nature writer,
and ethnobotanist

Post-publication Reviews

"Bush Medicine of the Bahamas is a well-written, informative, and richly illustrated account of the medicinal plants of San Salvador Island. While there is no doubt that it will be a useful reference for all who are interested plant medicine, it will be welcomed especially by scholars of the Caribbean and the African diaspora. The authors' authoritative account of 120 medicinal plants on San Salvador Island and information on non-botanical remedies is significant in itself, but what really sets this book apart from similar studies is ..." 
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— John H. Rashford, HerbalGram

"Preserving knowledge of Bahamian bush medicine, associated with cultural values, and relevant oral histories are among the authors' stated goals for this impressive volume ... This oversize treasury of folk medicine, story, biography, and photographs is equally appropriate to reference libraries and coffee tables. It is likely to become a standard reference."  
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— Mary Theresa Bonhage-Freund, Economic Botany

Customer Reviews

"A must for those interested in learning Bahamian Bush Medicine. I was concerned about the price, but the book is well worth it. Start with the full color plates to identify the plant, if you are unsure. There are over 100 photos with the common name and the botanical name listed. Look up the plant by the common name. There you will find all the information you need: other names the plant might be known as family/genus/species; habitat; flowering and fruiting season; parts used; use and preparation of the plant by itself and in combination with other plants; how to harvest it; dosage; properties and actions; pharmacological notes; contraindications; and cross cultural uses.
    The book includes interviews with the Bahamians who are well versed in the cultural uses of the plants. The voices are authentic and I could "hear" the individual speaking. (I am Bahamian.)
    I bought this book because I wanted to retain the knowledge of my grandmother, an avid user of bush medicine who lived a long life. This is the most comprehensive book I've seen on the subject and I recommend it wholeheartedly".
    — Brian C. Smith, Bahamas