The Book of Herbs: An Illustrated A-Z of the World's Most Popular Culinary and Medical Plants

by Barty Philllips

Overview

Mother Nature has the best herbal remedies and seasonings! Discover the health-giving benefits and flavor-enhancing properties of more than 80 versatile herbs, like eucalyptus, which can remedy your cold or relieve arthritis pain, or galangal, which can add a kick to your family's stir-fry. This reference is indispensable for your home when you want life to be more organic.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781462112388
Publisher:	Hobble Creek Press
Publication date:	07/09/2013
Pages:	96
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.30(d)

Table of Contents

Introduction 7

Aloe Vera 8

Arnica 9

Basil 10

Bay 11

Bergamot 12

Black Pepper 13

Blueberry 14

Borage 15

Camphor 16

Caper Bush 17

Caraway 18

Cardamom 19

Catmint 20

Chervil 21

Chicory 22

Chives 23

Cinnamon 24

Citronella 25

Clary Sage 26

Clove 27

Cocoa 28

Comfrey 29

Coriander 30

Cranberry 31

Dandelion 32

Dill 33

Elder 34

Eucalyptus 35

Evening Primrose 36

Fennel 37

Feverfew 38

Foxglove 39

Galangal 40

Garlic 41

Garlic Chives 42

Garlic Mustard 43

Ginger 44

Ginkgo 45

Good King Henry 46

Hawthorn 47

Hedge Mustard 48

Hemlock 49

Horehound 50

Horse Chestnut 51

Hyssop 52

Indian Licorice 53

Ivy 54

Jojoba 55

Juniper 56

Kaffir Lime 57

Lady's Mantle 58

Lavender 59

Lawn Chamomile 60

Lemon Balm 61

Lemongrass 62

Lemon Verbena 63

Licorice 64

Lovage 65

Lungwort 66

Mandrake 67

Marigold 68

Mate 69

Mint 70

Mistletoe 71

Motherwort 72

Myrrh 73

Myrtle 74

Nettle 75

Nutmeg 76

Oregano 77

Parsley 78

Rosemary 79

Saffron Crocus 80

Sage 81

Saw Palmetto 82

Self-Heal 83

Sorrel 84

St John's Wort 85

Sunflower 86

Tarragon 87

Thyme 88

Turmeric 89

Valerian 90

Vanilla 91

Wintergreen 92

Witch Hazel 93

Woad 94

Yarrow 95

Index 96

Editorial Reviews

08/12/2013
British author and broadcaster Phillips provides an illustrated guide to more than 80 herbs that have traditionally been identified as having medicinal and cooking value. Each plant entry features full-color photographs of the plant, its leaves, seeds, and flowers. The clarity of the photographs and the plants' associated folklore make this collection very useful as a horticultural identification guide. The culinary uses are also useful and sometimes unusual. The adventurous cook may find galangal to be an inventive substitute for ginger, or myrtle berries to be a salutary accompaniment to Middle Eastern cuisine. Unfortunately, as with other books about natural medicine, its medicinal claims are rather less valuable. They range from the homespun (chamomile tea as a soothing drink), to the frivolous (applying arnica flowers externally to dislocations), to the dangerous (homeopathic use of digitalis and hemlock). Those interested in learning about the fascinating historical, culinary, and horticultural uses of plants will plenty of well-illustrated, easy to access information. Those looking for medical treatment should look elsewhere. Includes index. Full-color illustrations throughout. (July)

Publishers Weekly

10/01/2013
Phillips's text is an "illustrated A to Z [guide] of the World's Most Popular" herbs, and it certainly lives up to that claim. Each detailed, plain-English entry covers one of 80 well-known herbs, discussing its origin and what part of the plant is used, as well as properties of the plant (such as an expectorant or stimulant) and its medicinal culinary, household, and cosmetic uses. The text further notes if the plant is poisonous or should not be used at home. Each entry is complemented by a color photograph of the plant and its roots and seeds. Also helpful is the index of botanical names at the back of the book because the plants are sometimes known by different names. As this work is meant as a reference for several countries, the growing zones familiar to North American users are missing. This may make it difficult for them to determine what grows in their area without further research. Also, the title would also be more useful if it were in a smaller, field-guide size. VERDICT While it has some drawbacks, Phillips's volume is overall a useful reference for public library patrons interested in gardening and learning about natural remedies.—Beth Bland, Milwaukee, WI

Library Journal