Fertile Roots

An anthropologist looks at how women can educate themselves, take greater control of their health, and push back against a system that’s dismissing their needs and the full breadth of humanity’s medical expertise

What if we could improve women’s reproductive health by simply shifting our perspective?

Anthropologist Emily Donaldson shows us how in Fertile Roots, offering a window onto the scientific, cross-cultural studies of medicinal plants that are already supporting women’s health around the world. Donaldson gives readers the tools and information they need to better navigate every aspect of women’s reproductive health.

As access to reproductive care continues to shrink in the U.S., women are stumbling across herbal medicines on their own, with little guidance on how or what to take. Too often, they forge ahead without consulting an expert or health care practitioner, leading in some cases to dire consequences.

Fertile Roots brings herbal, Indigenous, and traditional medicines and perspectives into direct conversation with clinical research on medicinal plants, illustrating all the expertise that mainstream Western medicine has long dismissed—to the detriment of women.

Donaldson shares insights from ethnobotanical research, herbalism, midwifery, and traditional medicine. Through untold stories from around the world, she reveals how women are using herbal medicines for contraception, fertility enhancement, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), morning sickness, postpartum health, miscarriage, abortion, and more.

Scientific research on the efficacy of herbal medicines may be sparse, but the evidence is clear. By working together to respect traditional healers and embrace herbs as a complement to Western medicine, patients, medical practitioners, midwives, and herbalists can improve health care and save lives.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs