Lisa Fazio a clinical herbalist, practitioner of plant spirit medicine and flower essence therapy, and the founder of The Root Circle, a plant medicine educational center. Trained in traditional Western herbalism, Western astrology, and the folk ways of her Italian immigrant family, she has apprenticed with herbalists Kate Gilday, Matthew Wood, and Pam Montgomery. She has an academic background in psychology and ethnobotany and has also done master’s level studies in chemistry, botany, and environmental history. She lives in Newport, New York.

Foreword by MaryBeth Bonfiglio

PREFACE
Finding Myself in Plants

INTRODUCTION
Wild-Foraged and Garden-Grown
Remembrances
PART I

ORIGINS OF SOUTHERN ITALIAN FOLK MEDICINE

1 La Medicina ContadinaFrom Ancient Mediterraneans to Italian Americans

2 A Fusion of KnowledgeWestern Herbalism and Italian Folk Medicine

3 Animism, Totemism, Oracles, and
Chthonic GodsHealing as a Divinatory and Spiritual Art

4 Mothers of GrainThe History and Cycles of Farming and
Parthenogenesis

5 Birth-Life-Death
Household Representations of the Cycle of Life

PART I I
MODERN ADAPTATIONS OF FOLK WISDOM

6 Renaissance MedicineA Bridge to Modern Herbalism

7 Stregoneria and Benedicaria
A Synthesis and Reclaiming of Italian
Witchcraft and Magic

8 Segnatura
The History and Practices of the
Language of the Soul

9 Grazia and the Holy Wonderworkers
The Magic of Grace and the Saints

PART I I I
PRACTICAL SKILLS AND TECNIQUES
10 Preparations and Treatments
Basic Herbal Medicine and Kitchen Magic

11 Protezione
Tools, Charms, and Practices for Averting Harm

12 Portafortuna
Divinatory Arts for Good Fortune

13 Dream Incubation
Healing through Communal and
Individual Practices

PART I V

MATERIA MEDICA
Introduction to the Materia Medica

Basilico (Basil)

Alloro (Bay Laurel)

Belladonna (Belladonna)

Canapa (Cannabis)

Sambuco (Elder)

Finocchio (Fennel)

Aglio (Garlic)

Altea or Malva (Mallow)

Artemisia (Mugwort)

Verbasco or Tasso Barbasso (Mullein)

Oliva (Olive)

Prezzemolo (Parsley)

Rosa (Rose)

Rosmarino (Rosemary)

Ruta (Rue)

Iperico (Saint John’s Wort)

Noce (Walnut)

Resources and Further Reading

Acknowledgments

Notes

Index