The Fern Pharmacy

“For years I have wanted a reference on the medicinal uses of ferns on my herbalist bookshelf. The old books have a few lines but pass on archaic traditions. It is clear that ancient people thought very highly of fern medicine. Their accounts are full of mysterious, magical, and fairy references. I have only ever used one fern for one thing—Osmunda regalis, a specific remedy for lumbago—but wow does it work! I wanted more. The fairies delivered this wonderful, comprehensive, detailed book by Robert Dale Rogers, who is not just an ‘armchair herbalist,’ but a practitioner with many years of experience.” * Matthew Wood, author of Holistic Medicine and the Extracellular Matrix and A Shamanic Herbal *“As some of the most ancient and successful plants of Earth, ferns have long been integrated into traditional healing practices across the globe to treat a wide range of maladies. In The Fern Pharmacy, we find many practical ways to connect with these powerful plant allies. With its exhaustive survey of the bioactive compounds, ecological roles, agricultural applications, and health benefits of the world’s ferns—all interwoven with illuminating insights into the cultural impacts of these subtler plants—this tome provides an engaging and comprehensive survey of this overlooked corner of nature’s pharmacopeia. It is an excellent addition to the bookshelf of any herbalist, naturalist, or ethnologist wanting to integrate the powerful offerings of these understory elders into their practice or paradigm.” * Peter McCoy, mycologist and author of Radical Mycology *“This book is a treasure! A comprehensive collection of the medicinal virtues of ferns that can’t be found anywhere else. Bravo to Robert Dale Rogers for gifting us this compendium of often forgotten botanical medicine.” * Rosalee de la Forêt, author of Alchemy of Herbs and Wild Remedies *“It is a rare thing these days to find a book filled from cover to cover with knowledge conveyed by almost no other source, but The Fern Pharmacy is just that. This collection of history, lore, and science is made all the more valuable by the addition of Robert’s own understanding and insight.” * Jim McDonald, herbalist *“A book for the ages that opens up the world of ferns, botany, ecology, chemistry, pharmacology, clinical uses, and lore—both ancient and modern.” * Christopher Hobbs, Ph.D., renowned herbalist and author of Christopher Hobbs’s Medicinal Mushr *

Robert Dale Rogers is an herbalist with more than 50 years of experience. A former professional member of the American Herbalists Guild and former clinical professor in family medicine at the University of Alberta, he is the author of more than 60 books, including Medicinal Lichens. He lives in Camrose, Alberta, Canada.