Using Slavic Kitchen Alchemy

Bake some porridge or flatbreads, prepare a yarrow infusion for your stomach’s sake, dye your pillowcases with chamomile and elder, or gather a wild salad. This book by Slavic cookbook author Zaza Zak collects the natural remedies, recipes and folk healing tips passed down to her by two Polish grandmothers.

“This book isn’t meant to be followed with religious fervor,” she says. “It’s meant to be an enjoyable way of exploring the old Slavic ways and finding additions to your daily rituals that will benefit your mental and physical health.”

Arranged by the season starting with Spring, the bulk of this book contains natural remedies, recipes, homemade beauty products, folktales, and Slavic rituals to mark the passing year. The opening chapters introduce Slavic religions and culture, discussing traditional approaches to medicinal plants, foraging and gardening.