Lisa FazioDella Medicina
The Tradition of Italian-American Folk Healing
Lisa Fazio a clinical herbalist, practitioner of plant spirit medicine and flower essence therapy, and the founder of The Root Circle, a plant medicine educational center. Trained in traditional Western herbalism, Western astrology, and the folk ways of her Italian immigrant family, she has apprenticed with herbalists Kate Gilday, Matthew Wood, and Pam Montgomery. She has an academic background in psychology and ethnobotany and has also done master’s level studies in chemistry, botany, and environmental history. She lives in Newport, New York.
Foreword by MaryBeth Bonfiglio
PREFACE
Finding Myself in Plants
INTRODUCTION
Wild-Foraged and Garden-Grown
Remembrances
PART I
ORIGINS OF SOUTHERN ITALIAN FOLK MEDICINE
1 La Medicina Contadina
From Ancient Mediterraneans to Italian Americans
2 A Fusion of Knowledge
Western Herbalism and Italian Folk Medicine
3 Animism, Totemism, Oracles, and
Chthonic Gods
Healing as a Divinatory and Spiritual Art
4 Mothers of Grain
The History and Cycles of Farming and
Parthenogenesis
5 Birth-Life-Death
Household Representations of the Cycle of Life
PART I I
MODERN ADAPTATIONS OF FOLK WISDOM
6 Renaissance Medicine
A Bridge to Modern Herbalism
7 Stregoneria and Benedicaria
A Synthesis and Reclaiming of Italian
Witchcraft and Magic
8 Segnatura
The History and Practices of the
Language of the Soul
9 Grazia and the Holy Wonderworkers
The Magic of Grace and the Saints
PART I I I
PRACTICAL SKILLS AND TECNIQUES
10 Preparations and Treatments
Basic Herbal Medicine and Kitchen Magic
11 Protezione
Tools, Charms, and Practices for Averting Harm
12 Portafortuna
Divinatory Arts for Good Fortune
13 Dream Incubation
Healing through Communal and
Individual Practices
PART I V
MATERIA MEDICA
Introduction to the Materia Medica
Basilico (Basil)
Alloro (Bay Laurel)
Belladonna (Belladonna)
Canapa (Cannabis)
Sambuco (Elder)
Finocchio (Fennel)
Aglio (Garlic)
Altea or Malva (Mallow)
Artemisia (Mugwort)
Verbasco or Tasso Barbasso (Mullein)
Oliva (Olive)
Prezzemolo (Parsley)
Rosa (Rose)
Rosmarino (Rosemary)
Ruta (Rue)
Iperico (Saint John’s Wort)
Noce (Walnut)
Resources and Further Reading
Acknowledgments
Notes
Index
