1 comments about Taylor's 50 Best Herbs and Edible Flowers: Easy Plants for More Beautiful Gardens (Taylor's 50 Best).

1. I decided to start an indoor herbal garden, and this was one of the first books I picked up. Not only was it informative about plant care, it also provided some very interesting recipes, concoctions, folklore, and tips on storing and processing the herbs.

3 comments about Lavender: How to Grow and Use the Fragrant Herb.

1. This book is beautifully illustrated and very thorough in its contents about lavendar. Varieties, soil and climate conditions are all covered in this book. But it really wasn't for me. I would have liked to have seen a lot more recipes and uses for lavendar for which there are many more than what was suggested.



2. I am new to cultivating lavender and I took this book out of the library only to find that it is INVALUABLE and I had to purchase a copy for my home. I refer to it again and again.

   The author is very knowledgeable and covers a variety of topics which are all of interest to me. Her writing style is engaging and you can tell the author knows her stuff.

   On top of all that, there are beautiful pictures throughout.

   This book helped me greatly to learn what variety works best in my home garden. Excellent book and a must-have for anyone interested in lavender. If you are looking for a recipe book look elsewhere--this book is for serious gardeners.




3. I have been growing lavender for 3 years and bought this book primarily for information about improving the quality of my plants and crop. While Ellen includes interesting projects and tidbits, this book definitely did not meet my needs as a grower.

2 comments about The Traditional Healer's Handbook: A Classic Guide to the Medicine of Avicenna.

1. This book is very good. It offers methods to help one to observe health status by observing various bodily functions. Unfortunately, I have been able get more information in this approach to medicine. There are some very healthful and tasty receipes in this book also. Imani Christi's offers a very wholistic approach to health maintenance and way of living.



2. An indispensible work on Unani medicine
   
   Fulbright Research Scholar and naturopathic physician Hakim Chishti studied traditional healing in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, and, in addition to this present work is also the author of "The Book of Sufi Healing" (Healing Arts Press, 1991).
   
   While conducting research in Kabul, Afghanistan, the author found himself afflicted with a severe form of dysentery and - without access to Western medicine - availed himself of the care of a traditional Unani practitioner, Dr. Hajji Muhammad Sherif, whose traditional treatments were successful and to whom Dr. Chishti eventually became an apprentice. Whilst in Kabul, the author obtained a Persian language edition of Avicenna's Mizan-ul-Tibb (Canon of Medicine) and Rabat-ul-Atfal (Pediatrics) and translated both volumes into English. These form the basis of the present work.
   
   This comprehensive guide to healing synthesizes the principles and practices of that amalgam of Greek, Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Persian medicine that today is practiced throughout the South Asian subcontinent under the name `Unani al-tibb' (i.e., Ionian or Greek medicine). It includes his translation of the two works cited above of Avicenna (Ibn al Sina, born ca. 980 CE), whose writings have been classics in herbal and dietetic medicine for more than a thousand years. Unani Medicine as a healing system was established and institutionalized by Avicenna (known as the "Prince of Physicians") yet because it is a comprehensive system encompassing virtually all of the known healing systems of the world of his day, the threads which comprise Unani can be traced uninterruptedly all the way back to Hippocrates and his disciples.
   
   Based on the philosophy that "food is the best medicine" and that "Allah never sends a disease to humankind without providing its cure," Avicenna's Canon of Medicine provides simple and effective diagnostic techniques and therapies for maintaining and restoring health and strengthening the human organism, in particular its immune system. The book includes a detailed botanical guide for the hundred most commonly used medicinal herbs and recommended treatments for four hundred conditions, including diet and nutrition, lifestyle management, herbal therapy, and aromatherapy. Medicine and health care were perhaps the highest scientific achievements of the Muslims during the Middle Ages and the reason for such an achievement is directly related to Islam itself, both the Qur'an and the Hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad) strongly encouraging the gaining and scientific systematization of medical knowledge.
   
   Chishti builds on Avicenna's approach, bringing extensive knowledge of the original Persian texts to his own twenty years' experience in Unani medicine. Included is a wealth of information on the metabolic value of foods, principles of hygiene, the prophylactic and curative roles of physical exercise and rest, the cycles, natures and classification of fevers, the classification of pain syndromes and the scope and methods of pulse diagnosis.
   
   Subtitled "A Classic Guide to the Medicine of Avicenna," the Traditional Healer's Handbook includes a detailed introduction to Unani medicine's history, philosophy and ethics, theoretical scietific underpinnings, observations on the general practice of traditional medicine, and a materia medica of Unani botanicals along with a formulary.
   
   Avicenna's healing system is explained and elaborated with recipes to maintain optimal immune functioning and includes protocols for the specific treatment of insomnia, depression, influenza, obesity, hemorrhoids, erectile dysfunction, dental pathologies, gastrointestinal disorders, asthma, bronchitis, and arthritis, among others.
   
   Hakim Chishti has distilled the essence of this venerable and quite effective lineage of the healing art into a comprehensive text, clearly and engagingly written. It is an indispensable work for anyone interested in the field and I strongly commend it to anyone engaged in the study or practice of natural medicine, herbalism or any of the great healing lineages of Asia and the Middle East, and as well to students of Islam and Islamic contributions to world civilization.

2 comments about Growing and Using Stevia: The Sweet Leaf from Garden to Table with 35 Recipes.

1. Growing and Using Stevia by Jeffrey Goettemoeller & Karen Lucke is an excellent guide for the Stevia beginner and also for the Stevia user. It gives you the "Why" and the "How to" - plus converting recipes using Stevia to replace sugar. This book is well written, documented and is simple and easy for the novice to understand. I recommend this informative little Stevia book to all who are health minded, and, with or without a sweet tooth, even the honey bees love Stevia - the sweet leaf from garden to table and best of all, it is good for your health. HalleluYah!



2. Tells you why Stevia is a good alternative to sugar and how to prepare it to use in cooking applications and liquid sweeteners.

2 comments about Ginseng: How to Find, Grow, and Use America's Forest Gold.

1. This book told me everything I wanted to know about finding ginseng in the wild -- yes there is wild ginseng in the United States, and it is valuable. The detail was amazing, as was the history of the American plant dating back to George Washington. I learned how to grow ginseng and prepare it for sale. I also found a list of businesses that sell the seeds to get you started, and a list of buyers who will purchase all the ginseng you can find or grow. The color photos were a real help. Best of all, I found over $100 of ginseng while hiking one day. What a trip!



2. I remember enjoying the bounty of the land with my grandparents - leeks, real maple syrup, venison, wild strawberries, and shin shang. What is shin shang? It is one of our areas best-kept secrets, American ginseng. Wild American Ginseng, Panax quinquefolium, is indigenous to southern Canada and the eastern and Midwestern United States, and the book, Ginseng, How to find, Grow, and Use America's Forest Gold by Kim Derek Pitts will tell you all you want to know about it. The book covers topics such as: ginseng cultivation, history, harvesting, hunting and conserving wild ginseng, and use of ginseng in traditional herbal medicine.
   
   Author of "Hobo Finds A Home" a children's book about a barn cat who wanted more out of life, and editor "Of A Predatory Heart" outdoor stories that will make you smile, laugh, and bring a tear to your eye.

No comments about Growing Herbs for Cold & Flu Relief: Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin A-219 (Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin, a-219).

4 comments about Sea of Green: The Perpetual Harvest.

1. I am a medical marijuana user and I need my medicine. The original book by High Times "Growing Tips" was very informative and written by growers. This version by this author Hans is coming from a writer and Not a Grower, and thereby offers incredibly incorrect information to the reader, such that only by the intrepid nature of the plant and Nature would one have any chance of success. The book "Indoor Marijuana Horticulture" by Cervantes and "Growing Tips" by High Times will get anyone started and lead to success. This book by Hans will only confuse a novice. Further, it does not truly address the Sea of Green method. The Perpetual Harvest method is a distinct method, and Hans muddies the distinction to the point of being very confounding. Newbies, read the above other books and get success first, then read this one by Hans and you will understand my comments. I have no axe to grind, but I adore the medicine and wish to contribute to everyone's success in supplying their own needs, and this book is contrary to any beginner's true requirements for success. Stay Away until you have enough experience to evaluate for yourself the information in this book. Regards, Shannon.



2. This is a very good book. It was written by a grower with over twenty years growing experience, and who is known around the world. It begins with an explanation of, how to select seeds and germinate them. The book uses lots of photos and diagrams along with the written text. It also has lots of color pictures of the whole process, (to include mega-bud shots)in a cool eight page centerfold. The book explains in simple terms how to clone, determine gender, water, nutrients, environemental aspects, light/photoperiod, pest, etc. all are covered in this informative book. This book was originally published by High Times and was advertised by them as used on the great program, "Pot of Gold" by Peter Jennings. It was also seen on "Eye on America". High Times says the book is the best grow book they ever published. They refer to "Hans" as a Master grower. I like the way the book was formatted. "Hans" breaks the book into two sections. The first section details the main information concerning marijuana growing. The second section is a day by day account of the perpetual harvest aspect. The day to day breakdown of "what to do" is really helpful. The Sea of green method allows a grower the ability to grow marijuana in a perpetual cycle. Buds are harvested once every two or three weeks perpetually. If you want to learn about the Sea of Green method, this is a good book to get. It even has a great video "Closet Cultivation" to go along with it. I personally ask Jorge Cervantes what he thought about the book. He said it was a "great book".



3. This book covers everything a person needs to know about the sea of green method. It covers all the standard information, needed by a indoor marijuana grower, in the first section of the book. In the second section of the book, the sea of green process is detailed. The second section starts with seed selection and germination. It then goes on, to show how to determine gender, clone, grow "mammas", bloom, and harvest. This most informative book takes the grower by the hand and leads them through the entire sea of green process, from day one till the day of harvest. It eliminates the common problems faced by novice growers. The book is written in easy to understand language, is full of illustrations, and lots of pictures, as well as great color bud pics. I would suggest this book to anyone. High Times was the original publishers of the book, and praised the infamous Hans, as a Master grower. The Sea of Green, Perpetual Harvest book, is the only book in the world, which is written exclusively, covering the sea of green process. "Hans" is the foremost author of the sea of green method. In addition to this book, he also has the only sea of green Hydroponics book and video in the world. He is also the foremost producer of marijuana grow videos in the world, and sells the only Sea of Green video/book combination in the world. This book is definately five star material.



4. I am a medical marijuana user, and have been for years. The Sea of Green book has enabled me as never before. I may now grow my medicine in the privacy of my own home. I no longer have to rely on the clubs or the street.
   Hans explains the entire process of growing just the right amount of marijuana for my personal needs. Using the Sea of Green method allows me to harvest once every week, thus creating a dependable supply of medicine.
   The book is straightforward and written in simple language. It even has a day to day schedule, which takes you from the germination of the seed, till you harvest.
   Anyone writing a bad review of this book, knows nothing about the sea of green method. This is the same book which High Times said was their best ever.
   I read the review of the medical person who said it was not a good book. This person has an ax to grind against Hans. The book was owned by High Times, till it was discovered High Times was stealing tens of thousands of dollars worth of royalties from Hans. Hans sued them and won 100 per cent of his book back from them. High Times was also ordered to pay Hans $183,000 for royalties they had stole from him. They have their people write bad reviews about it, whenever they can. It won't work this time.
   Hans is a friend of mine, and an excellent professional marijuana grower, (20 years of growing) author and videographer. He created the first indoor as well as the first outdoor grow video in the world and has just released his new Marijuana cooking DVD's.
   If you want a realistic opinion of Hans, his books, or videos ask, ask Ed Rosenthal, Jose Cervantes, Mel Frank,or Marc Emery of Cannabis Culture Magazine. They all support Hans and his tireless efforts to have marijuana legalized.
   If you buy this book, or any products from Hans, and don't like them, Hans will give your money back to include shipping cost. Yes! He is that good.
   Signed: A satisfied grower.

2 comments about A City Herbal: A Guide to the Lore, Legend, and Usefullness of 34 Plants That Grow Wild in the Cities, Suburbs and Country Places.

1. I never could have imagined the herbal abundance that grows between the cracks of the city sidewalks and in vacant lots! This book details the folknames, locations, historical uses, lore, legends, and uses of 34 plants commonly found in the city. I read this book like a novel, from cover to cover, and would recommend it to anyone interested our green friends!



2. I guess I shouldve realized, plants that grow wild in the city are going to be weeds. All but one of the plants listed in this book are generally considered weeds and are pulled in my yard and everyone elses yard that I know. I was hoping for more of a wildflower focus, but, weeds are technically wildflowers, these were more common than I expected. Informative, chapters a little short. I am keeping it mostly because I am too lazy to return it.

3 comments about The Northwest Herb Lover's Handbook: A Guide to Growing Herbs for Cooking, Crafts, and Home Remedies.

1. This is a very concise and helpful book for the beginning gardener.



2. This is Mary Preus' second book about herbs. The first, "Growing Herbs", covered the basics but was limited in scope. This book expands on the first, guiding the reader deeper into the world of herbs as well as describing 50 of the best-known herbs in detail. While the book is focussed on growing herbs in the Pacific Northwest, it would be a useful book for herb lovers anywhere.

   The writer was for 20 years owner of the Silver Bay Herb Farm in Washington State. In the first 80 pages of the book she shares her extensive knowledge of herb growing basics and of using herbs for cooking, healing and crafts. She includes plenty of recipes that are both imaginative and practical. In this section also she explains how to plan and build different types of herb gardens, and how to harvest and preserve herbs.

   Most of the book, however, is a detailed look at 50 species of herbs. The writer includes information about planting, propagation, pets and diseases, harvesting and uses for cooking, healing and crafts. I particularly liked the information about the chemical elements found in each species and their value in balanced healing and a healthy diet.

   This is a thoughtfully written book from a knowledgeable and experienced herb gardener. The book ends with a calendar of seasonal tasks in the herb garden, a list of the herb gardens open in the region, sources for plants and seeds, and publications and societies of interest to herb gardeners.




3. This is Mary Preus' second book about hers. The first, "Growing Herbs", covered the basics but was limited in scope. This book expands on the first, guiding the reader deeper into the world of herbs as well as describing 50 of the best-known herbs in detail. While the book is focussed on growing herbs in the Pacific Northwest, it would be a useful book for herb lovers anywhere.

   The writer was for 20 years owner of the Silver Bay Herb Farm in Washington State. In the first 80 pages of the book she shares her extensive knowledge of herb growing basics and of using herbs for cooking, healing and crafts. She includes plenty of recipes that are both imaginative and practical. In this section also she explains how to plan and build different types of herb gardens, and how to harvest and preserve herbs.

   Most of the book, however, is a detailed look at 50 species of herbs. The writer includes information about planting, propagation, pets and diseases, harvesting and uses for cooking, healing and crafts. I particularly liked the information about the chemical elements found in each species and their value in balanced healing and a healthy diet.

   This is a thoughtfully written book from a knowledgeable and experienced herb gardener. The book ends with a calendar of seasonal tasks in the herb garden, a list of the herb gardens open in the region, sources for plants and seeds, and publications and societies of interest to herb gardeners.

No comments about 75 Exceptional Herbs For Your Garden.