Women have historically faced challenges in the field of medicine, both in their recognition as practitioners as well as in their experience as patients. While filming our documentary “DOSED” and our new film “DOSED: The Trip of a Lifetime”, we witnessed many of the obstacles women face on their journey to mental, physical, and spiritual health. In honor of International Women’s Day, today’s top five books all explore this theme in different ways, shedding light on the valuable knowledge women have to offer in the realm of healing.

“The Woman in the Shaman’s Body” by Barbara Tedlock explores the role of women as healers and shamans in indigenous cultures. Tedlock, a respected anthropologist and shamanic practitioner herself, draws on her extensive fieldwork to describe the profound spiritual and healing practices of women in cultures around the world. She shows how women’s knowledge of plant medicine and ritual practices has been disregarded or demonized in Western culture, even as Western medicine has failed to provide effective treatments for many ailments.

Similarly, “Old Wives’ Tales” by Mary Chamberlain examines the ways in which women’s knowledge of herbal remedies has been marginalized and dismissed as “superstition.” Chamberlain highlights the long history of women as healers, and the ways in which this knowledge has been passed down through generations of women. She also explores the ways in which women have been excluded from the formal medical profession, despite their valuable contributions to the field.

“Unwell Women” by Elinor Cleghorn takes a contemporary look at the ways in which women’s experiences of illness and pain are often ignored or dismissed by the medical establishment. Cleghorn argues that the medical profession’s focus on male bodies and experiences has led to a lack of understanding and effective treatment for women’s health issues. She also examines the ways in which women have sought out alternative forms of healing, including plant medicine, to address their health concerns.

“If Women Rose Rooted” by Sharon Blackie explores the importance of women’s connection to the natural world, and the ways in which this connection can be healing and transformative. Blackie argues that women’s knowledge of plant medicine and traditional healing practices is rooted in their deep connection to the earth, and that this connection can help to heal both individuals and communities.

Finally, “Radical Remission” by Kelly A. Turner examines the ways in which individuals have overcome seemingly incurable illnesses through a variety of unconventional methods, including plant medicine and other alternative healing practices. Turner’s research shows that these methods can be highly effective, and that they are often overlooked by the medical establishment due to a focus on pharmaceutical interventions.

Taken together, these books offer a powerful testament to the value of women’s knowledge, and to the ways in which this knowledge has been marginalized and disregarded by the medical establishment. They also offer hope for a more holistic and inclusive approach to health and wellness, one that recognizes and values the contributions of women and their ancestral knowledge of plant medicine. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let us honor and amplify the voices of women in all areas of life, including in the realm of healing and wellness.