First published in 1939, Back to Eden is Jethro Kloss’s extensive guide to herbalism, nutrition and natural living. Drawing on his personal experience with plants, food and traditional approaches to health, Kloss assembled a wide-ranging reference work that became closely associated with the twentieth-century American natural-health movement.

A substantial part of the book is devoted to herbs. Kloss discusses their preparation and traditional uses, including individual herbs and medicinal trees, tonic preparations and plants historically employed for particular ailments. The work combines these entries with broader instructions for preparing and using herbal remedies.

Kloss also gives considerable attention to diet and nutrition. Sections examine carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, vitamins and water, alongside discussions of fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and other foods. Recipes and practical material on food preparation extend this aspect of the book beyond a conventional herbal reference.

Later sections turn to hydrotherapy and other methods Kloss associated with maintaining health. These include baths, compresses and fomentations, as well as discussions of exercise, fresh air, sleep, massage, nursing and charcoal. The result is a broad record of the natural-health philosophy and domestic practices promoted by Kloss during his lifetime.

Modern readers should approach the book in its historical context. Its medical advice reflects the knowledge and alternative-health practices of its period and should not be treated as a substitute for current medical guidance. Its continuing significance lies in its detailed record of herbal and natural-health traditions and its place in the development of twentieth-century interest in natural foods and herbalism.