Herbalism and state violence (Nicole Rose)

Practical Herbal Medicine for surviving state repression. By Nicole Rose (of Overcoming Burnout, and the Prisoners’ Herbal), published by the Solidarity Apothecary and Active Publishing, 2024.
444 pages.

State violence is a brutal reality for vast numbers of people. It is an experience that is racialised, classed and gendered in its design and application. It intersects with nearly all forms of oppression. Plant medicines can be a tool for solidarity and resistance; they can practically support us to survive and they can help us recover from trauma.

From herbal care for handcuff injuries to healing from incarceration, this book looks at examples from around the world of herbal solidarity in practice. Writing from her lived experience of incarceration, political organising and of running the Solidarity Apothecary, Nicole Rose explores some of the many connections between herbalism and struggles for liberation. Through recipes, remedies and stories from the herbal frontlines, she invites us to connect with our allies in struggle – the plants – to rest, to heal and to continue the fight.

For more info on the book and Solidarity Apothecary’s work see here