Plant Medicine: Healing Herbs for Emotional Balance & Calm
Discover the healing potential of 40 medicinal plants in my debut book.
I'm so excited to finally share Plant Medicine: Healing Herbs for Emotional Balance & Calm, my first book, published by Leaping Hare Press, an imprint of Quarto.
As a biologist, herbalist and naturopath, I've always been fascinated by the relationship between plants, the human body and our emotional wellbeing. I wrote this book to bring together traditional herbal wisdom, modern scientific research and practical ways to incorporate medicinal plants into everyday life.
Whether you're looking to find a little more calm, improve your sleep, support your mood or simply deepen your understanding of herbal medicine, this book is here to guide and inspire you.
Published January 2027 | Available to pre-order now
Plant Medicine introduces you to 40 medicinal herbs and plants, exploring their traditional uses, therapeutic properties, active constituents and the science behind their effects.
The book is organised into eight areas of emotional wellbeing:
Calm: Discover herbs traditionally used to ease tension and support relaxation.
Rest: Explore medicinal plants that can support sleep and restful evenings.
Focus: Learn about botanical allies for concentration and mental clarity.
Uplift: Discover plants that may help support mood and emotional balance.
Resilience: Explore herbs used to support the body's response to stress.
Hormonal Harmony: Understand how medicinal plants can support wellbeing through hormonal changes.
Grief & Release: Explore gentle herbal traditions for times of loss and emotional difficulty.
Self-Love & Inner Peace: Discover botanical rituals that encourage rest, self-care and connection.
More than a herbal reference book
Alongside the plant profiles, you'll find practical herbal recipes and preparations to help you bring herbal medicine into your own home.
From herbal teas and tinctures to syrups, infused oils and botanical baths, the book offers ways to explore the plants you're reading about.
You'll also learn about important safety considerations, so you can approach herbal medicine with greater knowledge and confidence.
Beautifully illustrated by botanical artist Sophie Dunster, Plant Medicine combines botanical knowledge with the simple pleasure of reconnecting with the natural world.
A personal note from me
Writing a book about medicinal plants has been a dream of mine for years.
My journey into herbal medicine began with a deep curiosity about plants and their remarkable chemistry, but over time it became something much more personal.
Through my studies in biology, phytotherapy and herbal medicine, and my work with women through Herbedies, I've seen just how meaningful it can be to understand our bodies and the plants we choose to work with.
I wanted to create a book that would make herbal medicine feel both accessible and fascinating, without losing the science or the traditional knowledge behind it.
And after months of writing, researching and bringing everything together, Plant Medicine is finally here.
I hope it inspires you to discover new plants, explore their therapeutic potential and create your own little moments of botanical wellbeing.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
Aleksandra Ostrowska-Wiwer
Biologist, Herbalist, Naturopath, Menopause Coach & Founder of Herbedies
Pre-order your copy of Plant Medicine
Plant Medicine: Healing Herbs for Emotional Balance & Calm is available to pre-order ahead of its official publication in January 2027.
Whether you're beginning your journey with medicinal plants or looking to expand your herbal knowledge, I hope this book finds a special place on your bookshelf.
