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Title: The Complete Book of Herbs by Lesley Bremness ISBN: 0-14-023802-6 Publisher: Penguin Studio Pub. Date: September, 1994 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $21.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.82 (17 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: --I never get tired of reading this book--
Comment: Collecting herbal books has been a hobby of mine for several years, and I own about 20 books on the subject. This particular book was a gift from my son and I have to say it's one of my favorite books about herbs. Because this is an English book, you'll have to take your climate into consideration with some of the suggested plantings.
THE COMPLETE BOOK OF HERBS has gorgeous photographs and illustrations. In the Herbal Index section there are over 60 different plants pictured. Each illustration shows the entire plant with close up pictures of the seeds, flowers and often the root when it's usable. The section on Herbs in the Garden offers different designs with suggestions of which plants are complimentary partners. One interesting picture that I particularly liked in this section was of a moonlight garden. Beautiful and serene!
There are also sections on: growing & harvesting, herbal healing, beauty care, and cooking with herbs. The recipes are pretty diverse. The foods look so good that you'll want to try them all. I especially enjoyed the Oregano Tomatoes; Garden Herb Omelette; Melon, Tomato & Mint Salad and the Lemon Balm Cheesecake. All delicious!
If you just want one book on herbs, this beautiful and concise book is it!
Rating: 5
Summary: Terrific reference material
Comment: Growing one's herbs is satisfying but using them completes the cycle. If you've ever wondered what to do with all the herbs you've managed to put in your garden over the years this book can help you. If you are just starting out with herbs this book can get you going properly. Not only does it have recipes but it has some ideas that I never could have imagined let alone used. The bulk of the book is dedicated to the herbal index which is extremely helpful. Each illustrated herb is broken down and expalined simply as to it's use, from root to leaves. The only problem I found with this section is that it is organized by their botanical names, which unless you're so inclined is difficult to find quickly. This is a minor problem that is remedied by the oversized common name, which of course is not alphabetized but more recognizable. A page is dedicated to over 100 of the most common herbs used. It tells you how to cultivate the individual herb and it's uses, which includes the medicinal use. Even if I don't use all the herbs or have them growing in my garden it is fascinating to know the historical and contemporary use of herbs. This book is a constant learning experience that can be read over and over. A perfect garden companion for that break under a tree. The knowledge can prove to be invaluable. Even such common herbs as Thyme can present posssibly new insights into it's benefits. Have trouble sleeping? The leaves of Thyme can help insomnia as well as stimulate the production of white corpusules to resist infection amongst it's many other attributes. There is much more information than I need here but there is something for everyone, from herbal dyes, to baths and massages and to the ever popular potpourri. This is, as the title suggests, the complete book on herbs. A great book for the kichen or to help you plan your herb garden, this book has as many uses as the author presents uses for the herbs.
Rating: 5
Summary: A real treasure
Comment: Most National Trust properties in the UK are grand old manors originally owned by nobility who liked their comforts and had the means to do things right. Unfortunately their upkeep is prohibitive in cost and many buildings and grounds have been deeded to the Trust that does an excellent job in maintaining them, educating us on the traditions of those times and making them available to the public. As herb gardens were almost always a part of the original master plan, wherever possible they have been restored and we are very fortunate to have a glimpse of this part of the life of the well to do of an earlier era. Collectively, the National Trust must have as many different varieties of herbs as can be found in the country and we are fortunate indeed that we have this book which is indispensable for anyone who wants to understand why our ancestors put such great emphasis on herbs, the value of herbs to us today and how to cultivate a selection in our own garden. Not only are herbs a delight to the touch, smell, taste and sight but you can have a herb tea garden, a culinary herb garden, a medical herb garden, a flowering herb garden and a fragrant herb garden. Moreover, we are told which herbs are suitable for edgings, low hedges, ground cover or a variety of other uses which make herbs multi-functional.
We are told that there was a time when all plants were important to human kind - they were thought of as children of mother earth - each marked by divinity, worthy of respect and important on the physical, mental and spiritual levels. Today, herbs are considered by many to be useful only as seasoning in the kitchen. Study of the history of herbs, going back 5000 years, is intriguing in itself for their use in ceremony, magic, medicine and superstition. Drinking water from a stream with Chrysanthemums was thought to bestow longevity. Greek and Roman records describe and illustrate 600 healing plants. Other ancient texts devote themselves to perfumes, saying that the best marjoram essence came from the Greek Island of Cos, the best Cypress from Egypt, and the best saffron from Rhodes. In England there were treatises on culinary herbs with details of the part of each to be used - seed, flower, bud, leaf, stalk, or root and how it was best prepared - raw, chopped, steamed, blanched, or pickled. While there is so much interesting history and background information, the bulk of the book is taken up with one page devoted to each herb. When it comes to use, there are beautiful sections on herbal decorations, herbs for the household, herbs for massage and herbs for beauty. For the section on herbs in the kitchen there are recipes for six soups, nine fish dishes, 13 meat dishes and many savory, vegetable, side dishes, salads, snacks, deserts, breads, cakes, biscuits, preserves and drinks.
In the introduction under the heading of 'The lure of herbs today' we are told: "Recently there has been a tremendous surge of interest in herbs. Research on medicinal and cosmetic uses and new ideas for decorative and scented applications are continually adding to the large body of herbal knowledge and skills. The object of this book is again to combine traditional with scientific knowledge and present the many innovative ways herbs can be used to enhance life in the home and at work. The practical approach will, I hope, encourage you to further inventiveness by providing a glimpse of the inexhaustible potential of herbs" and "If pressed for the reason for my new-found enthusiasm, I would say how delicious herbs were and that they could transform an ordinary dish into a culinary delight, or I would explain how handy they were with a growing family for treating colds, coughs and other minor ailments, but in truth these were the extra benefits. The real pleasure for me was just being with the herbs."
For those who have not yet felt the urge to grow herbs, this book with its magnificent photos and helpful text is a perfect way to start. For those who are already growing a handful of herbs, this book will surely alert you to many more that you should experiment with. Even for the herb addict this book will be a useful addition to the library. It is difficult to think of anyone who would not profit from this truly beautiful work. Even for those city dwellers with limited space there are ideas for the patio, balcony and indoors. There is even a page on a children's herb garden and a moonlight garden.
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Title: Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs by Claire Kowalchik, William H. Hylton ISBN: 087596964X Publisher: Rodale Press Pub. Date: 15 January, 1998 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Your Backyard Herb Garden : A Gardener's Guide to Growing Over 50 Herbs Plus How to Use Them in Cooking, Crafts, Companion Planting and More by Miranda Smith ISBN: 0875969941 Publisher: Rodale Press Pub. Date: 15 January, 1999 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
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Title: New Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses by Deni Bown, Herb Society of America, Deni Brown ISBN: 078948031X Publisher: DK Publishing Pub. Date: 01 October, 2001 List Price(USD): $40.00 |
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Title: Complete Herb Encyclopedia by Nico Vermeulen ISBN: 0517221691 Publisher: Gramercy Pub. Date: 04 March, 2003 List Price(USD): $14.99 |
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Title: Little Herb Gardens: Simple Secrets for Glorious Gardens--Indoors and Out (A Garden Style Book) by Georgeanne Brennan, Mimi Luebbermann, Faith Echtermeyer ISBN: 0811802493 Publisher: Chronicle Books Pub. Date: May, 1993 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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