his volume takes you into six plants that range from familiar garden herbs to wild forest allies: Goldenrod, Violet, Oregano, Pine Pitch, Poplar, and Plantain. Each chapter goes beyond the surface, unpacking the compounds that shape their actions and showing how these plants have supported people for generations. You’ll gain a clearer, deeper sense of how to work with herbs that might be growing right outside your door.

Both. If you’re just starting out, you’ll find the writing approachable and easy to follow—no jargon, no gatekeeping. And if you’ve been practicing for years, you’ll still uncover new insights into herbs you thought you already knew. This book is about bringing real depth to familiar plants, making them powerful allies in a way most people overlook.

Not at all. This isn’t a recipe book that requires gear—it’s about knowledge and understanding. The only “tool” you’ll want is maybe a notebook, so you can jot down what resonates or keep track of your own experiences with the herbs.

Other books might stop at calling plantain “soothing” or oregano “antimicrobial.” Here, you’ll learn the why behind those traits—through a closer look at the actual constituents and their interactions. This deeper view turns ordinary plants into powerful, trustworthy allies, giving you knowledge you can return to again and again in your own practice.

The Common Ways For Common People series focuses on the foundational methods of herbalism — how to make tinctures, salves, infusions, and more. The Common Herbs For Common People series builds on that by teaching how each herb works, what its compounds do, and how to apply that knowledge practically. Rather than listing generic formulas to copy, these books guide readers toward understanding the “why” behind the “how,” so they can build formulas that make sense for their needs. That kind of empowerment puts readers miles ahead of most modern herbalists — especially those who rely solely on pre-written blends.

These books come straight from the hands and heart of April Graham — a cultural herbalist who’s spent decades living what she teaches. If you’ve seen her videos or read her posts, you already know the tone: clear, practical, and deeply rooted in real-life experience. Her goal with every page is to make herbal knowledge truly accessible — no filler, no gatekeeping, just the kind of wisdom anyone can use.

To keep these books affordable and accessible, photos were intentionally left out. Including full-color imagery in self-published works significantly raises the cost — which goes against the goal of making herbal knowledge available to as many people as possible. All instructions are written clearly, and no visuals are needed to follow the methods or learn about the herbs.

Yes — every layout decision was made with accessibility in mind. The books use a slightly larger-than-average font, gentle 1.5 line spacing, and natural matte paper that’s easier on the eyes than harsh bright-white pages. These small choices make a big difference for readers with poor eyesight, dyslexia, or anyone who simply wants a more comfortable reading experience.

Yes — unless you're viewing the ebook version! Just check the listing title to see if it says PAPERBACK or EBOOK. Our printed books are just that: real, physical books that ship to you. Ebooks, on the other hand, are digital files meant for use on e-readers, tablets, or devices with a reading app installed.

There’s always more to learn — and sometimes, even more to unlearn. Whether you’re brand new or deeply experienced, these books are designed to offer insight, spark new ideas, and give you a grounded perspective rooted in real-world practice. They meet you where you are and help you grow from there.