Our Kindred Home: Herbal Recipes, Plant Wisdom, and Seasonal Rituals for Rekindling Connection with the Earth

This gentle debut by folk herbalist Morgan explores the “intimacy, serendipity, and magic” of plants. Noting that plants possess restorative and healing properties, Morgan offers guidance on how to integrate the natural world into one’s life and reports that doing so helped her process her ancestral trauma and the discrimination she faces as a second-generation Haitian American. She details plant-based rituals and remedies to cure disconnection, “cultivate wisdom,” and “reclaim joy,” describing how nettle tea soothes insecurity while flower essence made from hibiscus fosters creativity and sensuality. Morgan urges readers to “discover the abundance and creativity existing in the now and transform it into healing,” and to that end offers instructions on how to perform an herbal cleansing to prepare one’s home for spring. Beautifully illustrated plant monographs and recipes for tonics, teas, and food (including a mouthwatering dandelion almond cake) promise to aid readers in attuning to the “cyclical nature of the earth” by, for instance, mixing up holy basil sangria in the summer or indulging in mushroom galette and herbal macaroni and cheese to mark the arrival of fall. Additionally, helpful tips outline the dos and don’ts of identifying, harvesting, and storing herbs at home. Expert and beginning herbalists alike will find this a fruitful resource. (Mar.)