By (author) Karl Elliot-Gough
A path-defining exploration of herbs which, using only seven key plants, provides a revolutionary guide on how you can support the planet and all humankind.
Born from nearly a decade of working solely and closely with these seven plants, Karl Elliot-Gough’s groundbreaking book presents a new paradigm for understanding our relationship with plants, encouraging all who work with herbs and nature to embark on a journey of sustainability, prosperity and health.
With a blend of traditional and scientific research, Elliot-Gough uses these seven key plants – nettle, dandelion, yarrow, plantain, cannabis, hawthorn and blackberry – in a pioneering analysis of the ways in which the bounty of nature can transform not only the health of the individual, but also act as a guide in developing a more sustainable, respectful and abundant world.
Seven Plants to Save the World is a bold testimony to the limitless opportunities that the plants can offer humanity, outlining the surprising possibility of systemic change through which the world can become harmonious and sustainable with everyone thriving, as opposed to hardly surviving.
The book begins with seven monographs of the individual plants which explore their folklore and traditional usage, the scientific evidence, a range of industrial applications, along with information on foraging, harvesting, recipes and more. The second half of the book presents an innovative compendium of solutions, in which plants are instrumental in sustaining and developing global systems for the benefit of the planet and humanity. These systems include healthcare, economics, industry, agriculture and culture. Elliot-Gough unpicks how plants can guide us in developing a more sustainable future within these systems, benefiting the planet as a whole.
Seven Plants to Save the World provides readers with a path to feel emboldened and optimistic in a world which often seeks to suppress systemic change, as well as offering real and practical guidance in implementing such change in our own lives and communities, for the good of the planet and every living thing.
By (author) Karl Elliot-Gough
Karl Elliot-Gough studied archaeology and anthropology at UCL, took techno music to SE Asia (Thailand and Indonesia), and is a former musician, producer and record label owner providing aural pleasure from non-genre specific quality electronic music. Twelve years of research and writing for his first book The Seven Deadly Whites: The Rise of the Diseases of Civilization (Earth Books, 2016). Karl lives in the Sussex countryside with his wife and 4 children and enjoys West German ceramics, a theremin, things megalithic and anthropologic, cycling fast, foraging slow and can sometimes be found taking walks and talks at festivals.
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“Karl Elliot-Gough’s seven chosen plants are supremely beneficial to mankind, yet if noticed at all are condemned as weeds. He passionately makes the case for how they can (and should) spearhead a revolution in tackling the diseased foundations of civilization. I love the audacity of it, the blend of deep research and personal experience, the fearlessness in taking on any authority or dogma, the costed solutions. I have so enjoyed my wild ride with Seven Plants to Save the World, and it leaps straight into my top ten list of all herbal books.”
Matthew Seal, co-author of Hedgerow Medicine
“This book focuses on seven plants that can change the world but has a much wider reach. It sets out a way forward that will make our soil healthier, our environment healthier, us humans healthier and ultimately, our economy and quality of life much better - for everyone. Our civilization can go the way of previous failed civilisations, but we understand how to make things right and this book shows the way to avoid the downfall that our ancestors suffered. The answer lies in the soil and in its products, of which we are the most dependent on the health of the plants and animals that the soil nourishes.”
Craig Sams, co-founder of Whole Earth, Green & Blacks chocolate and Carbon Gold biochar, and chairman of The Soil Association
“What an enthralling journey this book took me on. Outlining so much fascination about the seven plants. Here you will find solutions to a healthier soil, healthier humans and healthier society. This might be underground now but this book needs to become mainstream as soon as possible.”
Paul Benhaim, chairman at The Hemp Plastic Company, CEO at Elixinol, and CBD company
“Seven Plants to Save the World is a joyously exuberant deep dive into seven very familiar plants, plus a lot of fabulous rabbit holes of curiosity into the culinary, ethnobotanical, political, social and etymological delights of how these plants have interacted with us throughout our history. The seven plants chosen by Elliot-Gough have all sorts of stories to tell, and guide us back to holistic economies, health management, and sustainable social structures to support our health and wellbeing of the future. Although, as he joyfully observes, it is these same plants that appear to be following us around, is it not that they have chosen us?!”
Anita Ralph, herbalist and author of Native Healers
“Karl Elliot-Goughs book introduces us to the dizzying array of proven health benefits to be offered by the seven herbal champions under discussion. This allows us to fully appreciate the massive contribution that plants make to our health and wellbeing in all vital areas of life. It also provokes consideration of the skills of the professional herbalist and how an understanding of the complexities of plant-based medicine are demanding and go way beyond the mechanistic approach of symptomatic treatment. His ambitious and far-reaching book is packed full of facts and figures. A must read for anybody interested in restoring balance and healing to our culture and how we live on a global scale.”
Mary Tassell, herbalist and author of Native Healers
“A prodigious labour of love and a remarkable polemic against global consumer capitalism told with enormous energy and wit.”
Julian Barker, herbalist and author of Physic and Human Health and it’s Maintenance
