No comments about Herbs for Use and for Delight.

5 comments about The Wicca Herbal: Recipes, Magick, and Abundance.

1. First, let me say this book is a lovely presentation. Though soft cover, the book is well bound, lovely, strong cover, nicely designed and attracts attention. The inside of the book is just as inviting. Lovely prints of the herbs covered, very detailed. It is laid out very artistically, and also includes some lovely woodprints. The typefaces, while very artistic, are not impossible to read.
   
   Having said that, I was curious about the content. The book appears to be well laid out, alphabetically according to common name. The first chapter is about Wicca and it's connection to the earth, our Mother. There is a very simplified explanation of Wicca, some information on spellcasting, ritual and Sabbats, making this a nice introduction. Ms. Wood then goes into some history on Medieval Herbalogy, some basics on growing, using and 'experimenting' with herbs and some history as to how we came to using them as we do these days, and a discussion on natural gardening and preserving your herbs. All of the material is basic, giving an overview of the topic and some ground for the beginner.
   
   In reviewing the actual herbal references, she gives the common name or names, the Latin names, parts used, a brief description of the plant and some growing tips. Some plants come with stories about the magical correspondences, or a little history of its use. Some herbs have a medicinal use and remedy given. Some herbs have recipes for their use.
   
   No where did I find a cautionary to the beginner about using these plants. No where did I find advice on possible herbal allergies or side effects. There are some recipes using these herbs and instructions for poultices to apply or herbs to use in spells. There are also recipes for creams and soaps. But the advice to see a doctor should a condition continue, or advice on possible allergic reactions to soaps or creams and side effects from using these herbs is missing.
   
   Then there are instructions: "place in a blender or food processor. (If you do not own a blender or food processor, you can use a mortar and pestle.)" Items are to be "stored in a clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid". We seem to have hit the modern age, with all traditional methods left behind for the sake of technology. Yet, suggestions or instructions to sterilize jars for the storage of food or medicinal items is not mentioned.
   
   The properties of the herbs are clearly explained. There is an index, list of societies and publications on herbs, resources and a bibliography. There is a glossary in the back explaining the terms used.
   
   But possible risks and practical medicinal advice is missing and the book does not include the possible reactions to some of these herbs that you can find from time to time. Nor does it discuss the legal aspect of 'prescribing' herbs for use or personal responsibility for recommending these herbs for medicinal use or what to do in case of adverse reactions to these herbs.
   
   While the book is a lovely presentation there is critical material that should have been covered. It may be attractive but it lacks the cautions that are usually given by professional herbalists. It might make a nice coffee table book but should be used with the usual medical cautions.



2. I've passed the book along to a few others. It's a wonderful read.



3. A good introduction to wiccan herbalism with some beautiful woodcuts and helpful illustrations. Includes both folklore and researched information. The author writes in an inclusive, warm style that encourages readers to follow their intuition and get to know the herbs they choose to utilize in healing and spells. The Wicca Herbal is a lovely and informative read. Whether you are new to the world of herbalism, or you are more experienced, there is something for everyone. There are excellent short chapters on topics such as medieval herbology and natural gardening. I would strongly recommend it to those who are just starting out in herbology as a first book, and also to those who are wise crones. It is not an exhaustive work, but contains many interesting recipes - some I have not seen before. While there is some "introductory" information, this book makes good on its promise of helping you "find magick all around you."



4. Practical, unintimidating and fun intro to herbs and some of their uses. You can actually make these simple and interesting recipes. Great recipe book, fantastic gift and a great read.



5. This is an excellant book and I love it. My Mom gave it to me for Mothers Day and it is well appreciated, and already well thumbed. The illustrations are great and don't overburden the book. They're tasteful and mellow. And I like the little side notes on conditions the plants like if growing them yourself is an option. Now, having said that, there are a few cautionary notes that I would like to say. This book is NOT for anyone that is new to herbalism, wether it is for soaps, tinctures, poultices, etc. It doesn't matter. There are no cautionaries speaking of different side affects or if the herb should not be taken in certain circumstances, such as pregnancy. But then, for any herbalist, they should have learned very quickly that you always do your research before doing anything. I always use several referances, even just for spells, to be sure I have everything right. ALWAYS do the research. You must remember that even though herbs are natural, and considered safe, if you don't know what you're doing, they aren't. A specific herb may be safe in small doses but may hurt you over a long period of time, or if you overdose. And, if a condition continues, you should ALWAYS seak professional medical advice.

No comments about Growing & Using Dill: Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin A-200 (Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin).

No comments about The Scented Lavender Book.

1 comments about Chinese Herbal Tonics.

1. The Chinese have been using herbs continuously for over three thousand years and have developed the most sophisticated herbal system the world has ever known. Among the thousands of herbs that the Chinese have described, there exists a relatively small group of herbs known as the "superior herbs". These herbs are said to enhance life without side effects. In fact, they are super nutrients that are left out of the diet because they are not as easily edible as our usual table fare. The superior herbs are not medicinal herbs -- they are tonics that have been found over many centuries to help develop radiant health.
   
   Chinese Herbal Tonics is a guidebook to a major healthcare system. It describes all the "superior herbs" also known as the "tonics," and goes even further by describing the greatest Chineses tonic formulations that are available to the American consumer today. This guidebook describes the classical uses of these great tonic herbs and formulations and even details what brands are currently the best. This is extremely important because quality is of the utmost importance, and because of the large number of lower quality companies and products currently in the marketplace. -- from books' back cover

No comments about Odena's Texas herb book.

No comments about An Illustrated History of the Herbals.

1 comments about Herbal Remedies: Dozens of Safe, Effective Treatments to Grow and Make (Rodale's Essential Herbal Handbooks).

1. Herbal Remedies covers a great deal of information. It not only provides information about internal and external remedies but also how to grow, make, and take them. It gives advice on garden designs and caring for your herbs. You can search not only to the herb but also to your symptoms. It is a great starter book for someone wishing to learn more about herbs and start an herb garden.

1 comments about The Book Of Herbs.

1. This is a great book it has the most common used herbs and uses common names, it has great descriptions, recipes not to mention the photos are excellent. It's great for beginners into the herb world because it uses the common names. I can't say enough great things about this book, only the fact it's the best one I have seen and fits my needs 100 percent

1 comments about Leonhart Fuchs: The New Herbal of 1543 (Klotz).

1. It's perhaps rather presumptuous, reviewing a book I can hardly read. But this book is mostly to look at, though it may be useful to occult herbalists who are well-versed in High German. Fortunately, Fuchs's text gives Greek and Latin names for the various plants, and the appended materials catalogue them by English and current scientific Latin names.

   The chief attraction here, though, is the woodcuts. This is a facsimile of Fuchs's own, carefully coloured, edition of this early printed work. The line art itself is awesome, easily superior to that found in the edition of Culpeper I own, and allows those plants depicted in it to be easily identified by those who know them. The added colours, which graced only a handful of costly copies, are delicate and well preserved, and seem usually accurate. It is as much for these careful illustrations as for Fuchs's own text that this work remains interesting.

   The text itself is in a nonstandard early version of High German, printed in a beautiful if hard to read Fraktur-style black letter font. As the prefatory material points out, Fuchs was a medical traditionalist, maintaining that Greek medicine was superior to the newfangled versions imported secondhand from Islamic countries, apparently because it partook of the pure wisdom of antiquity.

   Fuchs fully subscribed to the doctrine of the four humours and the four elements, and his text is geared towards that theory. The indications of the medical virtues of the herbs reflect a shotgun approach; it seems there are few human ailments that aren't helped by some, often dozens of them. Empirically, we know now that some work better than others. A brief English commentary at the end discusses some of Fuchs's prescriptions, and considers the remaining validity of his theories about the virtues of the various plants in question.

   This is a feast for the eyes, and at once scientific and arcane. Lovers of reproductions of classic books will want this, and herbalists or botanists may also enjoy it.