Rating: 
Summary: Tons of useful information
Review: This book contains at least two or three hundred magical herb listings shown with illustrations of the herb, deity correspondences, elemental correspondences, folk names of herbs, ritual use, and other historical information designed to give clues as to how these herbs are best used towards magical purposes (Devil's Shoestring, for example, is best carried in the pocket to bring luck in employment matters, so from reading this book you would know not to make an incense with the herb but to carry it). The detailed appendices full of correspondence tables are great time-savers. However, this is not a recipe book, in fact it doesn't contain a single recipe. Also, Cunningham doesn't really comment on which herbs are known to be MOST powerful in workings towards certain ends, so some additional self-research is required. This book pre-assumes a basic knowledge of herbs and doesn't offer anything in the way of general instruction, so this should be considered a reference book and not an instrument of instruction. In any case, I have found it a valuable reference, and recommend it.If you want a REALLY thorough herb reference and this doesn't sound like enough, I would try Paul Beyerl's Master Book of Herbalism
Rating: 
Summary: A Reference for us modern witches
Review: Scott Cunningham, in his time, turned out quite a few books and references for the modern, 'practical' witch. Though many of the herbs listed seem arcane- when I bought this book it was the first time I had heard of herbs like eryngo and life-everlasting- this reference is well done.
The herbs are organized alphabetically, and black and white drawings of the plant or flower are to the side of each entry, which typically includes the scientific (Latin) name, health codes (such as G for safe, and a guide is included in the book for all of the codes), any folk names, its attributed gender, planet, element, and deities, followed by brief (or sometimes long) descriptions of ritual and magical uses.
After the listings of herbs, there are lists of categories, under which are listed what herbs fit that area- such as masculine plants, herbs that correspond to certain ritual intentions, and elementary rulers. Also included are an index, a glossary, and a mail order list for those who do not have an herb store nearby (and it's hard to find something like mandrake in your local grocery store!).
Granted, this book is not the be-all and end-all of herbal studies. I recommend finding yourself at least three good sources and using them together when using herbs.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent for beginners and old hands
Review: Scott has collected a wealth of information on the magical uses of herbs and put it all together in this one book. A must have for the serious magical herbalist.
Rating:
Summary: FACT and FUN....
Review: This is a fun book. I don't know if the spells work because I haven't tried any yet, but I told my husband if he crossed my path I was going to turn him into a frog, to which he replied "Ribbet." Okay, okay, Mr. Cunningham doesn't recommend using magic in that way, but I can see from reading the various concoctions and spells that many of these things work because they work. And, just in case, I do have prophylactic holly trees and bushes planted around my house, and I swear the catnip I planted for my cat has helped us form a psychic bond, and "The Scarlet Pimpernel" well that's a whole story unto itself. If you write or read magical realism, want to learn more about magical practices, or are just curious, you will enjoy this book. Cunningham's entries are illustrated with very accurate pen drawings of the herbs. The book includes an annotated bibliography which is relatively comprehensive. Many works by respected social scientists are included. I disagree with Cunningham's assessment of Robert Groves' "White Goddess" or his take on Sir James Frazier's "Golden Bough" but I agree that a good way to learn about the old ways is to read material written by churchmen who pointed out in great detail the nefarious ways of sin. The best book on Cunningham's list for this purpose is Phillip Schmidt's "Superstition and Magic." Schmidt was a Jesuit who attemted to show the horrors of the occult and included much detail on herbal lore in his book.
Rating:
Summary: If there is one book to have on herbalism...
Review: If there is one book to have on herbalism, this is the book to have. Not only is the book one that is destined to stay off your shelf and on your altar, but it is the absolute best herbal reference out there. Scott Cunningham does a beautiful job with popular and folk lore on hundreds of herbs, going past "traditional" one or two word associations and really getting into herbal lore within his descriptions. The herbal cross reference toward the end is extremely useful for anyone who is using spells and recipies from outer sources... you never realise how many folk names exist for a single herb! The book is well organized, in depth, and easy to follow. A MUST HAVE for any aspiring herbalist.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Have For Your "Magic Kitchen"
Review: I use this book for labeling my jars of herbs. I find the definitions, comparable names, history, legend, all facts stories pertaining to each herb to be interesting, informative and fun to read. This book really helped me get started in herb collection and storage. You don't have to be into wicca to appreciate and enjoy this book. There is plenty of information for anyone interested in herbalism, magic or otherwise. Also, before you begin creating tea recipes or brews, it is recommended to read a book of this nature before you begin. There are references for safety and physcial conditions which are essential to know before ingesting or combining herb mixtures. It is always good to have at least a few reference books and this is definitely one of them.
Rating:
Summary: FACT and FUN....
Review: This is a fun book. I don't know if the spells work because I haven't tried any yet, but I told my husband if he crossed my path I was going to turn him into a frog, to which he replied "Ribbet." Okay, okay, Mr. Cunningham doesn't recommend using magic in that way, but I can see from reading the various concoctions and spells that many of these things work because they work. And, just in case, I do have prophylactic holly trees and bushes planted around my house, and I swear the catnip I planted for my cat has helped us form a psychic bond, and "The Scarlet Pimpernel" well that's a whole story unto itself. If you write or read magical realism, want to learn more about magical practices, or are just curious, you will enjoy this book. Cunningham's entries are illustrated with very accurate pen drawings of the herbs. The book includes an annotated bibliography which is relatively comprehensive. Many works by respected social scientists are included. I disagree with Cunningham's assessment of Robert Groves' "White Goddess" or his take on Sir James Frazier's "Golden Bough" but I agree that a good way to learn about the old ways is to read material written by churchmen who pointed out in great detail the nefarious ways of sin. The best book on Cunningham's list for this purpose is Phillip Schmidt's "Superstition and Magic." Schmidt was a Jesuit who attemted to show the horrors of the occult and included much detail on herbal lore in his book.
Rating:
Summary: The MAGICK of Herbs
Review: AS with everything, whhen Cunningham wrote, he always put magick into the work. Everything of his I read gives me a sense of the magick in the topic, and also his care and love for (the) magick. This book is no exception. Cunningham details in an easy-to-read (but not overly-simplistic) way, the magickal and mundane uses for every herb (and also common things like grapes and cactii, etc). He give the folk-names, both with the herbs and in a table in the back. He gives tables and tables of correspodence charts. And with most of the herbs he gives a picture of the plant, so that if you decide to gather it on your own (or are simply curious or whathaveyou,) then you have a good reference. And he even includes a bibliography in the back of the book which shows where he got some/all of his information, which adds even more integrity to the work. In all, this is a perfect reference for anyone interested in Wicca/Witchcraft/magick/whatever. It is simple enough for a beginner to use and understand, and detailed enough for the advanced practitioner. I heartily recommend this book!
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely the BEST!
Review: Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs is a must-have for any Wiccan. The book is very organized and easy to easy and understand. Every herb that's used, from Acacia to Yucca is in this book. There's a picture accompaning each herb and plant. There's tables explaining which herbs are used for love or money spells, the elementals (earth, air, water, fire), gender (feminine/masculine), oils, and folk names. There's even a short list of places to order everything related to herbs.
Rating:
Summary: from a green witch
Review: This is a MUST for anyone wanting to learn about and use herbs effectively in magick and ritual... wonderfully written and helpful. It's a MUST. That's it. Period.
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