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At Wild Rose College, we’re passionate about books, especially those written by trusted authors within the plant-loving community in Canada. In the age of AI, it’s more important than ever to support and purchase books from reliable sources. Canada is home to an incredible array of herbalists and authors who share their deep knowledge and connection with the natural world.
In this blog, we highlight some of the most valuable and trusted books for plant enthusiasts written by Canadian Authors. Whether you’re interested in traditional plant medicine, foraging guides, or spiritual connections with nature, these books are must-haves for your library.
To simplify your browsing, we’ve grouped our collection into categories:
Herbal Medicine and Plant Books by Indigenous Authors
Holistic and Spiritual Healing Books
Gardening and Permaculture Books
Evidence Informed Botanical Medicine by Dr. Marisa Marciano – A comprehensive guide for students, clinicians, and educators. It explores the medicinal properties of 150 plants in disease prevention and treatment, covering botanical actions, pharmacology, and nutrition.
Medicines to Helps Us – Traditional Metis Plant Use by Christi Belcourt – This book celebrates the healing traditions of Métis women through a fusion of evocative art, Indigenous Traditional Knowledge, and Western science. Featuring contributions from Métis Elders and key Michif phrases, this accessible resource offers valuable insights into centuries-old Métis healing practices.
You Are the Medicine by Asha Frost – an Indigenous Medicine Woman, guides readers to reclaim their healing power through teachings of the 13 Ojibway moons and animal spirits. Using storytelling, reflections, and shamanic journeys, Frost helps readers embrace ancestral wisdom, practice self-care, and unlock the medicine within.
Plants Have So Much to Give Us, All We Have to Do is Ask by Mary Siisip Geniusz – This book beautifully preserves the tradition of oral knowledge sharing. Plants Have So Much to Give Us, All We Have to Do Is Ask is a culmination of over 30 years of Anishinaabe wisdom, gathered through the lived experiences of Mary Geniusz. As an oshkaabewis (apprentice) and close friend of the late Keewaydinoquay, an Anishinaabe medicine woman.
Luschiim’s Plants: Traditional Indigenous Foods, Materials and Medicines by Luschiim Arvid Charlie, Nancy J. Turner – Luschiim Arvid Charlie, a respected Cowichan Tribe Elder and botanical expert, shares traditional knowledge of over 140 plants used by Coast Salish peoples. Compiled through fieldwork and interviews with ethnobiologist Nancy J. Turner, this guide details each plant’s common, scientific, and Hul′q′umi′num′ names, cultural uses, and conservation insights. With photos and teachings passed down from Luschiim’s Elders, this book is a vital resource for botanists and anyone interested in West Coast plant traditions.
Mother Earth Plants for Health & Beauty: Indigenous Plants, Traditions, and Recipes by Carrie Armstrong – Recipes and teachings from Armstrong’s grandmother, blending Indigenous knowledge of the Medicine Wheel with modern beauty and wellness practices. Featuring 26 edible and medicinal plants, this guide offers natural recipes for lotions, teas, soaps, and more, all inspired by her grandmother’s healing wisdom.
Healing Spirituality – A Practical Guide to Understanding and Working with Bach Flowers by Gudrun Penselin, M.Ed. – a practical guide to using Bach Flower remedies in daily life. It preserves Edward Bach’s teachings while adapting to modern vibrational changes. With detailed flower descriptions, instructions for creating your own essences, and insights into Bach’s philosophy, this book is ideal for both beginners and experienced healers.
Medicine Walk by Laurie Lacey – This book explores the therapeutic power of nature and special places to promote self-discovery, reduce stress, and foster mindfulness. With exercises to aid concentration and meditation, the book also delves into the spiritual and medicinal value of plants, helping readers connect deeply with the healing world of nature.
Opening the Senses of the Soul by Samantha Orthlieb – Samantha Orthlieb, a Wild Rose College alumni, explores healing through vibrational medicine and nature’s wisdom. With over a decade of clinical experience, Orthlieb explains how balancing energies and understanding the body’s messages can support healing. This guide offers case studies, tools, and remedies for reclaiming inner power and fostering a sustainable future.
The Weaving by Abrah Arneson – This book blends herbal wisdom, astrology, and storytelling to explore the connections between plants, the cosmos, and women’s lives. Through myth and history, Arneson reveals the healing power of plants, offering a unique journey into herbal medicine and the cycles of nature. For a closer look at the inspiration and themes behind The Weaving, check out Abrah Arneson’s interview with us, where she shares her unique perspective on the interplay of plants, planets, and our connection to the Earth. Read Abrah’s interview here.
A Journey Through Time: The Vessel. Women, Plants and Contraception by Abrah Arneson – Blending storytelling with traditional knowledge, Arneson provides insight into safe, effective use of plants to support reproductive well-being. This empowering guide encourages women to reclaim control of their health through the wisdom of herbal medicine.
“In The Vessel, Abrah illuminates a crucial yet long-overlooked health issue within both mainstream and holistic medicine. Blending historical insights and contemporary research, this meticulously crafted book offers a comprehensive understanding of how plants can play a powerful role in family planning and women’s reproductive health.
Whether or not plant-based contraception is part of your personal journey, The Vessel provides a fascinating exploration into the history of medicine, revealing how vital knowledge has often been suppressed to exert control over certain populations. This book is an essential read for anyone interested in the intersections of plant medicine, history, and health empowerment.” – Megan Kendrick, WRC Herbal Village Coordinator
The Intimate Herbal: A Beginner’s Guide to Herbal Medicine for Sexual Health, Pleasure and Hormonal Balance by Marie White – An inclusive guide to using plant medicine for sexual and reproductive wellness. White teaches readers of all genders how to create herbal remedies for libido, hormonal balance, and reproductive health. Covering a wide range of conditions, this accessible book offers a holistic approach to intimate herbalism for both beginners and practitioners.
The Herbal Doula: Plant Medicine for Fertility, Community Care, and Birthwork by Marie White – This book provides modern, plant-based reproductive care for fertility, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. With 30+ herbal protocols, it offers remedies for morning sickness, fertility, and postpartum healing. Written for all genders, this book offers safe, practical advice on integrating herbal medicine with conventional care, making it a valuable resource for individuals and birth workers alike.
Homegrown Cannabis by Alexis Burnett – A practical guide to cultivating cannabis at home using organic methods. From selecting cultivars to maintaining growing conditions, Burnett offers step-by-step tutorials and troubleshooting tips. With photographs and practical advice, this guide helps growers confidently nurture their cannabis plants from seed to harvest.
Madawaska Forest Garden by Steven Elliot Martyn – Drawing from decades as a grower, landscaper, and wildcrafter, Martyn shares the development of the Madawaska Forest Garden. This book details traditional Indigenous gardening methods that work with the land’s natural ecology, offering sustainable techniques and deep insights into our connection with the Earth.
Sacred Gardening by Steven Elliot Martyn – Martyn challenges conventional and alternative gardening views, exploring co-creative agriculture. Blending Indigenous land use and permaculture, Martyn guides readers into a world where the Earth is our teacher.
Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) Dried herb and tea
Chocolate Life: the Alchemy of Cacao for Flavour, Function & Feeling by Malcolm Saunders – Learn how to create delicious, healthy, homemade chocolate. With 37 recipes and countless variations, this book empowers you to become your own chocolate maker, upgrading both your health and your chocolate.
Elixir Life: Learn How to Craft Your Own Nourishing Herbal Beverages by Malcolm Saunders – Blending ancient wisdom with modern science, this book offers 37 recipes and countless variations to fuel your body and enhance well-being. With practical guidance and creative freedom, Saunders empowers readers to become their own elixir crafters, creating beverages that go beyond smoothies and juices, to nourish both body and soul.
Olivia’s Herb Garden by Diane Seufert Tait – A charming story for kids about Karen, who cares for a magical herb garden. When an emergency arises, she discovers a secret about the garden’s inhabitants – human, animal, and more. This engaging tale introduces young readers to a world just beyond our reach.
Bob, the Apple by Angela Bewick: Okay, this one’s not herbal themed but it is written by Calgary-based Certified Holistic Nutrition Consultant and Mindfulness Practitioner, Angela Bewick. In this charming story, Bob the apple is nervous about the changes that come with autumn. As he watches his fellow apples fall, he feels afraid – but with guidance from his wise father, a spirited friend named Robin, and Mother Nature herself, Bob learns to embrace new beginnings and the power of staying true to himself.
The Fungal Pharmacy by Robert Rogers – Learn over 300 species of medicinal mushrooms and lichens found in North America. With detailed descriptions, preparation methods, and 200 colour photos, this guide highlights their role in healing the body and supporting the planet.
“The Fungal Pharmacy has quickly become one of my go-to references for information about the medicinal mushrooms. It contains monographs on many different mushrooms, including photos, and contains everything from traditional use to modern chemical and clinical studies. Brew a pot of chaga, and dive in!” – Jaimie McClyment, WRC Education Coordinator
Mushroom Medicine: The Future of Functional Fungi by Robert Rogers – Explore the health benefits of over 160 species of medicinal mushrooms, drawing on in vitro, in vivo, and human clinical trials.
Medicinal Mushrooms: The Human Clinical Trials by Robert Rogers – This book examines the health benefits of 50 mushroom species, citing over 500 studies, including gold-standard clinical trials. This book highlights the use of medicinal mushrooms for immune support, cancer treatment, cardiovascular health, and more, providing the scientific proof sought by forward-thinking herbalists, doctors, and researchers.
Wild Edible Mushrooms of Alberta: A Field Guide by Tom Cervenka – This beginner-friendly guide is perfect for those new to mushroom foraging in Alberta. With over 120 colour photos and 50 detailed species descriptions, it helps you confidently identify edible mushrooms while highlighting 63 look-alike species to avoid.
Spruce Tips (Picea spp.) A Popular Spring Wild Edible
The Boreal Herbal by Beverly Gray – Learn to identify and use 55 wild northern plants for food and medicine. Whether foraging in remote areas or gardening at home, this handbook offers remedies for common ailments and delicious recipes like Wild-Weed Spanakopita and Dandelion Wine. With beautiful illustrations and practical advice, Gray’s book is perfect for anyone interested in the healing power of northern plants.
“On my first day of work as a Community Development Coordinator, I had arranged to visit the local library in Blue Ridge and meet the librarian. Sue was busy wrapping up storytime, so I browsed the book collection as I waited. I exclaimed out loud when I found this book by Beverly Gray that had just come out. I insisted on checking it out immediately before we got to know each other. The librarian, Sue, told me later, she knew we’d get along just fine, as she is “a weed eater”.
This book continues to be one of my treasured companions learning about the medicinal plants and what to do with them in Alberta’s boreal forest. I highly recommend it.” – Holly Phillips, WRC Social Media Coordinator
Eating Wild in Eastern Canada by Jamie Simpson – A great guide for those on the East coast interested in wild foods. With 50 colour photographs, historical notes, and recipes, this book helps readers identify wild edibles and provides tips on collecting them.
Wild Harvest Recipes Book by Chef Paul Rogalski and Les Stroud – Brings the flavours of North America’s wild edibles to your kitchen. This guide combines wilderness foraging with gourmet cooking, using ingredients like wild mint, cattail, and wild turkey.
Lone Pine Guides by Various Authors: Lone Pine Publishing is known for its comprehensive and accessible field guides that highlight the rich plant biodiversity across North America. Their publications cover topics from alpine flora, to edible and medicinal plants, making them a valuable resource for herbalists, foragers, and nature enthusiasts. Popular titles like Edible and Medicinal Plants of Canada, Mushrooms of Ontario and Eastern Canada, and Plants of Alberta provide in-depth knowledge of regional plant life. View their selection of field guides here.
Popular Wildflowers of the Canadian Prairies by Neil L. Jennings – An easy-to-use field guide perfect for amateur naturalists. Featuring hundreds of colour photos and descriptions, this portable guide helps users identify common wildflowers by colour.
Medicinal Plants of Calgary’ River Valleys by Robert Rogers – Learn 50 medicinal herbs found in the Bow and Elbow river valleys. With insights into both traditional Indigenous uses and modern herbal practices, the book offers recipes, herbal applications, and important contraindications. Perfect for anyone interested in the rich plant life of this region.
The North American Guide to Common Poisonous Plants and Mushrooms: How to Identify More than 200 Toxic Plants Found in Homes, Gardens, and Open Spaces by Nancy J Turner And Patrick von Aderkas – A comprehensive handbook for identifying over 200 toxic plants. Organized into categories – mushrooms, wild plants, ornamental crops, and houseplants – each entry includes photos, descriptions, common locations, and toxic properties.
Trees in Canada by John Laird Farrar – This is an essential guide for anyone looking to learn how to identify trees. Covering over 300 native and introduced species, this comprehensive book features nearly 600 colour photos and 1600 drawings, it’s perfect for foragers, naturalists, forest professionals, and tree enthusiasts alike.
The ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario – This guide features detailed descriptions of 400 common species, including habitat notes and unique plant features. With over 1,000 stunning photos from the ROM’s collection and a user-friendly colour-coded key, this compact, durable guide makes wildflower identification easy and enjoyable.
“The ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario is one of my favourites. It is just so pretty and the photos are great for beginner identification!” – Cherianne Cybulskie, WRC Marketing Coordinator
Are you just as in love with books as we are? Check out out more of our reading lists: 10 Must-Reads by Indigenous Authors, Top 10 Hot Herbal Reads, 5 Must-Read Books for Herbal Pregnancy
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