Description:
It's not likely that you use basil to deter snakes from entering your home, but it is quite possible that you have taken echinacea in hopes of warding off a cold. And while you most probably have cooked with rosemary, you may never have enjoyed its aromatic and therapeutic qualities in a bath or massage oil. The Illustrated Book of Herbs is a comprehensive, informative, and attractive volume covering herbs from cultivation in the garden to their myriad uses in the home. The book's breadth of information is impressive and, perhaps more important, is laid out in a straightforward, accessible fashion. A directory of herbs, complete with gardening information and culinary description, serves as a starting point. If you're interested in the decorative arts, landscaping ideas abound, as do instructions for making potpourri, herb pillows, and other fragrant decorations. Therapeutic uses are covered in detail and are cross-referenced with the ailments for which these herbs have been deemed effective. And with additional information on aromatherapy and instructions for making tinctures, teas, ointments, and creams, herbal healing constitutes an essential and invaluable component of this reference. Richly illustrated with both color photographs and illustrations, The Illustrated Book of Herbs is an excellent choice for those who embrace the medicinal, aromatic, and savory possibilities of herbs. --Matthew Reid-Schwartz
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