Books on herbs

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Herb Society's Complete Medicinal Herbal - A Practical Guide to Medicinal Herbs with Remedies for Common Ailments by Penelope Ody published by Dorling Kindersley.

A fully illustrated herbal in full colour, ideal for identification and for information on how to select, grow, create medicines on a wide variety of common and easily available herbs. Beginning with the use of herbs in the distant past, in countries across the world, we have profiled Yarrow, Lady's Mantle, Garlic, Aloe, Marshmallow, Angelica, Celery, Burdock, Borage, Tea, Cayenne, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Hawthorn, Yam, Eucalyptus, Meadowsweet, Fennel, Cleavers, Gentian, Hops, St John's Wort, Hyssop, Juniper, Lavender, Motherwort, Honeysuckle, Lemon Balm, Mint, Basil, Rose, Rosemary, Sage, Comfrey, Feverfew, Dandelion, Thyme, Stinging Nettle, and many more. 


Flowers, leaves, stems, roots and other parts of the plant are described, with applications for illness, and how to make tinctures, gargles, syrups, oils, powders and capsules, infusions and tinctures. Especially of importance are cautions to avoid use at certain times. Information on harvesting and drying herbs, all ideal for everyday remedies. First aid is covered, with herbs for aches and sprains, headaches, infections,respiratory problems, ears, eyes, nose and throat, skin and hair, heart, blood and circulation, digestion, allergies, urinary disorders, leg and foot problems, nervous disorders, gynae problems, children's complaints, tonics - what more could you ask for! It is all here!
Comprehensive, well produced, excellent illustrations!
The author, Penelope Ody is a Member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists. Of course, if you have symptoms or feel unwell, you must visit a doctor for a professional examination and tests and not rely on someone who is not medically trained! 

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Aromatic Herbs by Sally Anne Scott. Published by Marks & Spencer.  This is a practical book that is ideal for all cooks. It covers how to choose the best herb for your dish, and how to combine herbs together. Each chapter is specialised with recipes described for the following: 10 soups, 10 starters and snacks, 14 sauces and side dishes for main courses, 12 vegetable and salads, 10 cakes, puddings and sweets. It has an index and is user friendly. If you like a book with big full colour photo reproductions that show how to present your creations, you will enjoy this one!


Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: English Herb Garden by Guy Cooper, Gordon Taylor and Clive Boursnell published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson.

One of my favourite books on herbs and it has full colour photos on almost every page. It is a collection of 180 specialist herb gardens across the English countryside, most of which are open to the public. It is compiled and written by three male gardeners. It begins with a foreword by Rosemary Verey describing the array of information provided, from The herb gardens of yesteryear to today, from the smallest kitchen garden to the largest and most glamorous gardens imaginable. Just turning over the pages, we can almost smell the culinary and medicinal herbs as they leap from the pages.

Some of the gardens mentioned are of course, The Chelsea Physic Garden and The Queen's Garden at Kew, both in London, Ham House, Richmond, The Royal Horticultural Society at Wisley, Leeds Castle, Maidstone, Sissinghurst Castle, Kent, Peterborough Cathedral, Emmanuel College, Cambridge, Oxburgh Hall, Swaffham, Gainsborough's House, Sudbury, Knebworth House, Hertfordshire, Hatfield House, Hertfordshire, Butser Farm Project, Hampshire, Beaulieu Abbey, Hampshire, Cranbourne Manor, Wimbourne, to name just a few.

There is a glossary with common names, botanical names, family, height, flowers, synonyms, and information about 30 common herbs. This is a delight for any herb gardener who likes to travel and visit country houses and gardens! Article Wendy Stokes   Visit: https;//wendystokes.co.uk