Poison Path Reading Recommendations
The Poison Path spans across a number of fascinating topics. The understanding of poison has given rise to many beliefs and practices. The study of phytotoxins has resulted in many discoveries that have influenced modern medicine. Ancient alchemists discovered toxic heavy metals like antimony and mercury, while modern chemists have created new poisons. Plant intoxicants have influenced religion, art and science. The use of plant intoxicants is older than civilization, rooted in ancient shamanic practices. Herbs like deadly nightshade, wolfsbane and mandrake have epic histories. Their stories and lore can be found across various cultures and time periods. Poisonous and intoxicating plants are always associated with magic, witchcraft and other worlds; and through these associations we can unlock their unique powers. These books cover these topics and more. From toxicology to ethnopharmacology and traditional witchcraft to modern herbalism, these are some of my favorite books.
My own book The Poison Path Herbal: Baneful Herbs, Ritual Entheogens, and Medicinal Nightshades, brings together all of these topics giving practical information on cultivating and working with these botanical allies. The Poison Path herbal is a book of esoteric herbalism and poison plant magic.
Ethnobotany: Plant intoxicants and Traditional Ritual Entheogens
Phantastica by Lewis Lewin
Plant Intoxicants: A Classic Text on the Use of Mind-altering Plants by Baron Ernst von Bibra
Psychedelic Mystery Traditions: Spirit Plants, Magical Practices, and Ecstatic States by Thomas Hatsis
Essential Substances: Intoxicants in Society by Richard Rudgley
Wildest Dreams: An Anthology of Drug-Related Literature by Richard Rudgely
Liber 420: Cannabis, Magical Herbs, & the Occult by Christ Bennett
Pharmako/Poeia, Revised and Updated: Plant Powers, Poisons, and Herbcraft by Dale Pendell
Pharmako/Dynamis: Stimulating Plants, Potions & Herbcraft by Dale Pendell
Pharmako/Gnosis: Plant Teachers and the Poison Path by Dale Pendell
Plants of the Gods: Their Sacred, Healing, and Hallucinogenic Powers by Richard Evans Schultes, Albert Hoffman, and Christian Ratsch
The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants by Christian Ratsch
Psychedelics and Spirituality
Cannabis and Spirituality: An Explorer’s Guide to an Ancient Plant Spirit Ally edited by Stephen Gray Park Street Press
Psychedelics and Spirituality: The Sacred Use of LSD, Psilocybin and MDMA for Human Transformation edited by Thomas B. Roberts, Ph.D.
The Acid Diaries: A psychonaut’s Guide to the history and use of LSD by Christopher Gray
Ayahuasca: The Visionary and Healing Powers of the Vine of the Soul by Joan Parisi Wilcox
The Ayahuasca Experience: A Sourcebook on the Sacred Vine of the Spirits edited by Ralph Mezner, Ph. D.
Sacred Mushroom Visions: Teonanacatl: A sourcebook on the psilocybin mushroom edited by Ralph Mezner, Ph. D.
A Brief history of Drugs: From the Stone Age to the Stoned Age by Antonio Eschohotado
Cactus of Mystery: The Shamanic Powers of the Peruvian San Pedro Cactus by Ross Heaven
Shamanic Quest for the Spirit of Salvia: The Divinatory, Visionary, and Healing power of the Sage of the Seers by Ross Heaven
Drugs of the Dreaming: Oneirogens: Salvia divinorum and other Dream-enhancing Plants by Gianluca Toro and Benjamin Thomas
DMT Dialogues: Encounters with the Spirit Molecule by David Luke and Rory Spowers
From the Bodies of the Gods: Psychoactive Plants and Cults of the Dead by Earl Lee
The Lotus and the Bud: Cannabis, Consciousness, and Yoga Practice by Christopher S. Kilham
Phytochemistry & Herbal Medicine
Understanding Medicinal Plants: Their Chemistry and Therapeutic Action by Byran A. Hanson, PhD
Weiss’ Herbal Medicine, Classic Edition by Rudolf Fritz Weiss, M.D.
Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices Of Herbal Medicine by David Hoffman
The Herbal Medicine Maker’s Handbook by James Green
Flying Ointments
Craft of the Untamed by Nicolaj de Mattos Frisvold
The Discoverie of Witchcraft by Reginal Scot, 1584
By Moonlight and Spirit Flight by Michael Howard
The Witches’ Ointment by Thomas Hatsis
The Goddamned Ointments: Four Histories by Thomas Hatsis, Journal of Psychedelic Studies, 2019.
Babyfat and Belladonna: Witches’ Ointment and the Contestation of Reality by Michael Ostling, Arizona State University. 2016.
Poison in History
The Royal Art of Poison: Fatal Cosmetics, Deadly Medicines, and Murder Most Foul by Eleanor Herman
Poisons: From Hemlock to Botox and the Killer Bean of Calabar by Peter MacInnis
Lucrezia Borgia and the Mother of Poisons by Roberta Gellis
Poison: The History of Potions, Powders, and Murderous Practitioners by Ben Hubbard
Botanical Curses and Poisons: The Shadow Lives of Plants by Fez Inkwright
Poisons: A History by Jenni Davis
Poisons and Poisoners by Michael Farrell
The Affair of the Poisons: Murder, Infanticide, and Satanism at the Court of Louis XIV by Anne Somerset
Poisonous Plants
Poisonous Plants in Great Britain by Fred Gillam
British Poisonous Plants, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln’s Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities by Amy Stewart
Magical Herbalism
The Herbal Alchemists’ Handbook: A Complete Guide to Magical Herbs and How to Use Them by Karen Harrison
Mastering Herbalism: A Practical Guide by Paul Huson
The Master Book of Herbalism by Paul V. Beyerl
The Witching Herbs: 13 Essential Plants and Herbs for Your Magical Garden by Harold Roth
Witchcraft Medicine: Healing Arts, Shamanic Practices, and Forbidden Plants by Claudia Muller-Ebeling, Christian Ratsch, and Wolf Dieter-Storl