Susanne Fischer-Rizzi - books

In times of climate change, both humans and trees are under stress.

What connects the two in this situation? Can they overcome it together? Susanne Fischer-Rizzi answers these questions in her latest book, a guide to new climate trees in cities. Trees such as ginkgo, bluebell, and sweetgum—originally classified as neophytes in Western Europe—can withstand the changing climatic conditions. But they also help to regenerate our psyche and strengthen our immune system. Susanne Fischer-Rizzi combines the latest scientific findings with fascinating stories full of magic.

Unusual recipes such as Zürgelmilch, black walnut cake, and mulberry omelet round off the book.

The renowned medicinal plant expert presents a holistic view of climate change and the connection between nature and humans. See the trees in your environment with completely new eyes!

Plant waters, also known as hydrolates, are produced from medicinal plants using steam distillation, just like essential oils.

They are gentle to use, highly effective, and have a very wide range of applications. In this first comprehensive reference work on plant waters in German, the author shares her extensive knowledge gained from her long experience with the distillation of plant waters.

She guides readers through the history of plant waters from ancient times to modern scientific findings. The book profiles 80 plant waters. The plants are sensitively presented with their special properties. Numerous examples and recipes document the practical application of hydrosols, which can be used not only for personal care, but also in nursing, health care, and social services.

Their cosmetic applications are also presented with many recipes for homemade products. A reference, reading, and instruction book for laypeople and professionals alike. With a collection and distillation calendar and an extensive index of indications. Richly illustrated with beautiful plant photos that convey the essence and powers of the plants.

The Big Book of Plant Waters

My new book on plant waters does not include a specific index for recipes. This would have made it too long. Angelika Weigand kindly created this index and made it available for download here.

Index of plant water recipes can be found here

As a PDF file:

Alphabetical

By plant water

Systematic

As an Excel file:

Complete as Excel

Feedback on my book “Das große Buch der Pflanzenwässer” (The Big Book of Plant Waters)

Dear Ms. Fischer-Rizzi,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you very much for your wonderful books. For the work you have put in to share your in-depth knowledge so vividly with others. It all started with the book “Pflanzenwässer” (Plant Waters), and since then “Himmlische Düfte” (Heavenly Scents), “Blätter der Bäume” (Leaves of the Trees), and “Medizin der Erde” (Medicine of the Earth) have been added. I am devouring your books. I love your stories and myths about the individual plants, some of which transport you to distant worlds. After reading your books, one feels great respect for medicinal plants and wants to bow before them in humility. Thank you very much! Best regards,

Yvonne B., February 2016

Dear Susanne,

I am currently distilling lime blossoms and wanted to write the following to you about your wonderful book:

I feel that your book is a distillation of yourself. The elixir of your wisdom given to humanity. A huge gift to all who are touched by the wonders of the plant world.

Thank you for this marvelous work. A work of beauty and wisdom at the same time. A great inspiration for all who are called to heal this world. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your great creativity, which is nourished by all the knowledge of so many healers.

Supported by the power of the women who stand behind us and who, through their lives, continue to participate in making this earth a healthier and more lovable place.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! !

Evalyn L., June 2014

Congratulations on your wonderful, magnificent book on plant waters. It radiates so much beauty and love that my heart opens every time I hold it in my hands. You have brought such a wealth of knowledge and presented the connections clearly and understandably. THANK YOU, dear Susanne!

Brigitta S., May 2014

Dear Susanne, even though you are probably being showered with congratulations on your new book, I feel a great need to congratulate you from the bottom of my heart on your “miracle work on plant waters.” Yesterday, I received a few books from AT Verlag that I had pre-ordered. I didn't discover the package in the woodshed until this morning, and it was a wonderful start to my Sunday! I was supposed to dive into my accounting this morning because I'm so behind, but now I've been reading your book since 7 a.m. and enjoying the wonderful descriptions. I really don't have the words to describe the palpable dedication of your knowledge in this book. I hope it is very well received, and it will get a special place in my little garden shop tomorrow!

Jennifer W., April 2014

Dear Susanne, good morning, your new book is really great. The beautiful, valuable texts, the photos... I don't even want to talk about the content... all in all, very nice. I also like “my text” and I immediately opened the book to that page when I held it in my hands for the first time – wonderful.

Simone S., April 2014

I am currently reading your wonderful book and just had to let you know: this book makes me happy!!!!!!!!! You have managed not only to describe the facts and history of plants, but also to view plants as living beings. You have done this in your other books too, but I think this time it was particularly important to you not to be seen as “crazy.” I particularly like that you take a closer look at the role of women, don't forget the essence of water, and also include the subtle effects of plant waters. You have certainly mastered this balancing act, which is not always easy. I hope I can find the right words, because humility before nature is one thing, and a kind of reverence another.

Rita B., April 2014

Who doesn't feel the power that surrounds us when we enter the forest? The silence of nature, our longing for authenticity, and a deep breath allow us to forget stress and restlessness.

Susanne Fischer-Rizzi draws on the experiential knowledge of North American Indians as a shadow runner. In twelve chapters, she shows different ways to reconnect with nature in a deep and fulfilling way: finding your own time, understanding the language of nature, feeling connected to the four elements, finding the power of certain places or animal and plant allies. A wonderful book for unique experiences of nature.

Encountering nature is always a mirror—we discover not only the wilderness around us, but also the wilderness within us.

The most personal book by Susanne Fischer-Rizzi, the successful author on topics such as medicinal herbs, aromatherapy, and wilderness knowledge.

A sensitive guide to our longing for authenticity.

With numerous exercises for a new perception.

With fantastic illustrations and brilliant photos by Richard W. Allgaier.

The book draws on a wealth of examples, quotations, and wisdom from your many years of holistic experience to illustrate the connections between nature and humankind.

Reader: Ms. Isolde D.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the book. I am repeatedly moved to tears by the introductory story of Grandfather Bear and the story about the horse violin.

It's good to know that there are some people who care about animals and their personalities. So much so that this wonderful book, with its fascinating pictures and touching, lively texts, was created.

Reader: Ms. Heike E. from Münsterland, Jan. 2008

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your incredibly inspiring book. For me, it is a holistic book that I have been searching for for a long time.

Reader: Mr. Helmut H. from Belgium, Dec. 2007

I came across your new book today in Buchlanden, and it was the presentation alone that caught my eye. The content is simply touching; photos, texts, and drawings in a wonderful combination; a book with a lot of heart.

From: Yoga magazine, Oct./Nov. 2009

Some books only need to be touched to feel the deep and healing energy hidden within them. One of these is Susanne Fischer-Rizzi's 250-page wilderness art book. Here, people who are interested in nature, its effect on humans, and the interplay of natural forces will find an almost inexhaustible wealth of knowledge. But that's not all: in addition to a description of nature in all its phases of life (birth, maturity, harvest, old age, and death), readers will find an equally in-depth and practical examination of the elements (earth, water, fire, air, and ether). As in all her other books, Susanne Fischer-Rizzi takes an extremely practical and realistic approach, as evidenced by the many ideas, suggestions, and rituals that show readers how they can apply this knowledge for themselves. At the same time, the author leaves readers room for their own experiences and insights. In addition to the exciting texts, the book has been transformed into a veritable work of art with beautiful nature photographs and illustrations by Richard W. Allgaier.

From: Wolfmagazin magazine, March 2007

My first astonished thought when I held the book in my hands was: Kosmos can make such beautiful books...! The layout and design alone make the book stand out from the crowd of “normal” books. Even before I opened it, I couldn't help but look at it and touch it again and again. Each chapter introduction is a work of art in itself, with drawings and illustrations. And the content? Well, anyone who knows the author and her books knows that exciting and profound entertainment awaits inside. This book is the kind of reading material you can curl up with in an armchair in front of the fireplace and “lose yourself” in, only to be driven shortly afterwards by a longing for the wilderness to wrap up warm and try out some of the author's suggestions. With its wonderful texts and fascinating and often mysterious photos, “Mit der Wildnis verbunden” is a book that awakens longings and makes you feel warm and happy. A wonderful gift for someone you want to give a very special treat!

From: Spuren magazine, Winter 2008

For many years, Susanne Fischer-Rizzi has been studying wilderness knowledge, medicinal plants, and the beliefs of other cultures. Her long journey into nature has resulted in numerous beautiful books. What she presents to us this time is a concentrated collection of her experiences and accumulated knowledge. The author accompanies us on magical paths that lead to an authentic experience of nature. Ninety exercises encourage us to strengthen our own inner nature and connection to the wilderness. Wilderness is everywhere, not just in the prairies of distant lands. It is about becoming “native” to your own environment, putting down roots, connecting with the elements, plants, animals, rocks, and local spirits, and feeling the cycles of natural life rhythms in the here and now again.

When was the last time you gazed quietly into a fire? Do you know where an unfettered spring flows near you? What is the phase of the moon? What birds live near you? What plants grow on your doorstep? Questions like these accompany us through this wonderfully illustrated book, which opens up invisible worlds and reminds us, without pointing a finger, of the voice of nature, which is ready to give us strength and healing every day.

Bookseller Lindauer Landleben, Anna R., Winter 2008

Susanne Fischer-Rizzi impressively describes the path to connecting with the wilderness. She sees herself as a mediator between humans and the wilderness. Her book conveys a simple, down-to-earth approach to nature. It encourages us to return to simply listening and observing, sharpening our perception and mindfulness in our own environment. In which direction does the sun rise in the morning at my kitchen table? Where does the water I use in my house come from? To “Do you know the wild plants in your area?” A handbook for everyday life, for anyone who enjoys exploring their immediate surroundings, with illustrations and photos by Richard W. Allgaier.

This beautiful and generously laid-out book describes the healing powers of native plants with great knowledge and sensitivity.

In harmonious interplay, words and images inspire us to develop a deeper relationship with our natural healers, the plants. From recognizing plants in their natural environment to collecting and storing them correctly, the book guides us through the proper preparation and production of powerful medicinal plant recipes.

Old and new home remedies and healing remedies are presented, as well as tasty recipes using wild plants.

A way to harness the healing powers of plants for vitality, health, and a long life.

Medicine of the Earth

In addition to the index in the book, there is also an index of the recipes contained in the book. Many thanks to Angelika Weigand for creating it. Index of recipes in Medicine of the Earth (11th edition, 2005) see here:

As a PDF file:

Alphabetical

By plant

Systematic

As an Excel file:

Complete as Excel

From the magazine: Medicine

With great empathy and comprehensive knowledge, the author introduces us to the most important native medicinal herbs. We learn everything about their occurrence, identifying features for collecting and cultivation, and the preparation of teas, ointments, tinctures, and healing applications for humans and animals.

The price is worth an Oscar – you rarely find that!

Josef Karl from Naturheilpraxis:

This beautiful book, exceptionally generously laid out, with its many beautiful drawings and good recipes from our colleague Fischer-Rizzi, can only be praised.

With great empathy, the author, a true connoisseur of medicinal herbs, discusses their occurrence, identifying features for collection, cultivation, preparation for teas, tinctures, etc., and of course their indications (also for animals!).

While most herb books are purely descriptive, this book encourages readers to develop a lively relationship with medicinal plants through their own experiences.

An uplifting, useful, insightful book by an exceptionally knowledgeable colleague, and the number of editions speaks for itself.

The price is worth an Oscar – you rarely find that!

In this book, we follow the history of incense burning from its roots in the Paleolithic Age through the advanced civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece to the origins of incense culture in the Far East, the Himalayas, and Japan.

A chapter is also devoted to the incense culture of the Native Americans of North and South America, which is still alive today. Twelve chapters describe in detail the customs of incense burning, the individual incense substances, and their practical application. Readers learn about the effects and possible applications of previously unpublished recipes for mixing their own incense—from simple incense blends to aid in everyday life to the famous incense used by Egyptian priests.

There are many different occasions for burning incense: healing, accompanying prayer, meditation, rituals, atmospheric cleansing of rooms and objects, accompanying seasonal festivals and ceremonies.

Especially in our hectic times, incense burning can serve as an aid to pause, reflect, and linger. On a psychological level, incense burning calms us, stimulates us, and harmonizes us.

The first comprehensive book on incense burning is the result of years of research and the author's own experiences.

"Univ.-Prof.Dr. K.Jung", Mainz:

Der Autorin gelingt es, ein erstes umfassendes Buch über die Kunst des Räucherns mit Duftstoffen zu verfassen, von der Altsteinzeit über die Hochkulturen in Ägypten, Mesopotamien und Griechenland bis zum Ursprung der Räucherkultur im fernen Osten und zu den heute noch lebendigen Gebräuchen bei den Indianern. Ausführlich bescheibt sie die jeweilige Geschichte der einzelnen Räuchersubstanzen, ihre praktische Anwendbarkeit in der heutigen Zeit und bisher unveröffentlichte Reszepte zu eigenen Herstellung. Die "Botschaft an den Himmel" vermittelt mehr als Wissen um Räuchern mit Duftstoffen, es spricht - aufgrund von Inhalt, Aufmachung und Transaktionen - alle Sinnesorgane an und regt zum Nachdenken, Verweilen, Träumen an -- es versetzt in eine bis dahin fast unbekannte dennoch stark bewegende Welt!.

From “Bewußter Leben” (Conscious Living), 2008:

Susanne Fischer-Rizzi's book on incense burning is considered the first comprehensive reference work on the time-honored and almost forgotten art of burning fragrances. In it, you can learn everything you need to know about the history of incense burning, from the Paleolithic Age to the advanced civilizations of Egypt and Greece to the origins of incense culture in the Far East and the customs still practiced today by Native Americans. With a detailed description of the history of individual incense substances, their practical application, and previously unpublished recipes for mixing your own blends, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to delve deeper into this topic, perhaps on cold winter evenings.

This book received the Silver Medal from the German Gastronomic Academy, an award from Historia Gastronomica Helvetica as the best cookbook of the year, and the Swiss Gold Laurel Medal from Historia Gastronomica Helvetica.

Saffron is one of the most mysterious spices and is said to have the most miraculous effects. In addition to its incomparable fragrance and aroma, saffron cheers you up and makes you laugh, with no side effects. It is wellness for body and soul. Saffron is also known for its aphrodisiac effect.

Susanne Fischer-Rizzi, who has been fascinated by the magic of saffron for years, has collected authentic saffron recipes on her travels around the globe. Now she presents a selection of the 80 best recipes from different cultures, including mixtures for elixirs of life, medicinal teas, and drinks and dishes from the Ayurvedic tradition. The numerous stories and legends surrounding the mystery of this extraordinary ingredient, which also give this book a special character, prove that saffron is not just any spice.

The author also takes us to the few places in the world where saffron is grown. She tells the exciting story of saffron, shows where it grows, how it is harvested, where the differences in quality come from, and where the best quality is available. Ulla Mayer-Raichle has masterfully captured recipes and moods surrounding saffron in color photographs.

Imagine there is a powder from the plant kingdom.

It is called red gold because it is more expensive than this precious metal.

In the Middle Ages, smuggling and counterfeiting were punishable by death.

With red gold, you can cheer people up, make them laugh, relax them, or give them erotic dreams.

If you take too much of it, they will fall asleep and never wake up again.

Red gold is a powerful medicine.

It was an essential ingredient in every elixir of life prepared by medieval doctors.

It can dispel melancholy, relieve pain, strengthen the organs, and prolong life.

It is the most expensive spice in the world and turns a meal into poetry."

Speech at the award ceremony for the medal: "Best Swiss Cookbook of the Year" by Bruno-Thomas Eltschinger, Historia Gastronomica Helvetica

Dear guests, I must correct myself right at the beginning, or perhaps reveal something. This is not a cookbook, nor is it a collection of recipes. It is a book of magic, a book of fairy tales, or a secret book of alchemists—or perhaps all of these combined. While we won't find the recipe for the Philosopher's Stone in this book, we will find a wealth of ancient wisdom, secret recipes, and intellectual adventures. If you begin reading this book, set aside the entire day for it.

Susanne Fischer-Rizzi is not actually a chef, nor is she a cookbook author. She is an expert in naturopathy, herbal medicine, and aromatherapy. She is a wise woman of our time, and the subject of saffron needs a female ambassador. Saffron is expensive, mysterious, legendary, and rare. Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. It's not just a spice; it's also a remedy and an aphrodisiac. Saffron is the red thread of the purple crocus flower. The feather-light saffron blossoms weigh almost nothing. Approximately 250,000 to 360,000 threads are needed for one kilogram of saffron. Currently, a kilogram of saffron costs up to 10,000 Swiss francs—no wonder it's called red gold. Incidentally, Switzerland is one of the few countries that still produce saffron. The saffron guilds of Basel, Lucerne, and Zurich, which still exist today, bear witness to this historical tradition.

But this book doesn't just tell us about saffron; it's a culinary and intellectual journey through the Western world. From the Carmelites' elixir to the Russian Bear Dance cake and Zulaida's dates, we find not only enticing recipes but also captivating stories that elevate this book beyond an ordinary cookbook. The entire book is like a mandala created by Tibetan monks: colorful, harmonious, and mysterious. It contains recipes for happiness, or for making others happy. These aren't your everyday staple recipes, but rather recipes for celebrations, joy, and love. If you happen to benefit your health in the process, that's just a pleasant side effect. Whether you try Grandma's semolina pudding or treat your loved one to a sun-infused tea, you can't go wrong.

I don't usually give recommendations, but this time I can say: treat yourself and indulge in this book. We hope that AT Verlag feels encouraged by our award for this book to continue promoting and supporting such unusual projects that go beyond cooking and frying. I can assure you that Ms. Fischer-Rizzi couldn't have known we would be awarding her this gold medal when she chose the title. Whether one of her elixirs was involved, we'll leave open to interpretation. We have now awarded seven gold laurel medals. The "Best Swiss Cookbook," namely this saffron cookbook, which received the highest score from the jury, was also awarded the "Golden Laurel Leaf 2001" prize.

Martina Tschirner from "International Cuisine":

With a title like "Gold in the Kitchen," it can only be a book about the world's most expensive spice.

Correct, and a beautiful one at that. "It turns every dish into a poem," entices Susanne Fischer-Rizzi, presenting enticing recipes from around the world, including French bouillabaisse and Spanish paella.

Less familiar are likely desserts like Persian saffron cream or the Chinese liqueur "Tipsy Birds." Numerous photographs in shades of gold and red make this book a truly atmospheric picture book. You'll also learn many interesting facts about the long history of saffron as a medicinal remedy. And, that this spice is also said to have aphrodisiac effects...

Marie-Luise Lindenlaub from "Buchprofile":

...a book to revel in and feast on - delicious -

Christiane Schwalbe from "Das Kochbuch der Woche" (The Cookbook of the Week), radio program:

...the saffron cookbook is beautifully photographed, glowing in the colors of the saffron crocus and the warm reddish-gold of the spice.

A cookbook with unusual recipes and many fascinating stories about "gold in the kitchen."

From "Marmite," magazine for food and drink culture:

...a gift for all those interested in food culture and who want to know more about saffron than just that it's expensive and makes cakes yellow.