Naturally: The Herbalist’s Guide to Health and Transformation

“What ultimately matters is that we think like an herbalist,” contends Robinett, an herbalist herself, in her standout debut. Framing her treatment of the topic as a “why-to” more than a “how-to,” Robinett covers such categories as nervines (which target one’s nervous system), sedatives (for sleep disturbances), adaptogens (to help “assist adaptation” to stress), nootropics (used for enhancing cognitive function), and psychedelics (for “emotional pain”). She discourages matching herbs strictly symptomatically, noting that there’s no “single herb for any one symptom or syndrome.” In each category, she highlights a few plants appropriate for specific concerns. For example, she suggests the nervine passionflower for those struggling with rumination, while valerian root is an option for panic. Though the author encourages exploration over strict chart-consulting, she does offer a few straightforward resources, including a handful of recipes, an index that details the best formats to ingest each herb mentioned, and an herb shopping guide. She also shares powerful stories from her clients, in a tone that evokes thoughtful educator rather than salesperson: “My pursuit of this nature represents an inherent way in which I­ live—​and learn and ­teach—­which is to strive to understand.” Readers curious about herbalism need look no further. Agent: Lauren Hall, Folio Literary. (July)