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The Herb Book: The Complete and Authoritative Guide to More Than 500 Herbs
The complete and authoritative guide to more than 500 herbs.
The most complete reference catalog of nature's herbs ever published. Over 2 Million Copies in Print.
The most complete reference catalog of nature's herbs ever published. Over 2 Million Copies in Print.
700 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1974
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
November 28, 2022
Excellent reference book that I’ve had for years and always pick up whenever I need to find a good remedy for an ailment. (Most recently, Nov. 28th, relearned that dandelion tea and lavender tea are good for the gallbladder.🤓Good to know as I’m having some issues atm). Many of the herbs 🪴 that are discussed are easy to either grow or purchase in your local grocery store or online.
This book 📖 is a classic for a reason. It has a plethora of detailed info and it is exceptionally well organized. The herbs are primarily from the European and American herbal traditions; so if you are looking for herbal information pertaining to another part of the world (such as East Asia, for example) then this likely wouldn’t be the book for you.
I would Highly recommend this for anyone who is interested in incorporating some useful nutritional and beneficial herbs into their life, whether as teas, tonics, essential oils, cosmetics, dyes, or other products.
Also, for anyone interested in the mythology of plants, there’s an enjoyable section on that in the book too.
5 ⭐️ out of 5.
This book 📖 is a classic for a reason. It has a plethora of detailed info and it is exceptionally well organized. The herbs are primarily from the European and American herbal traditions; so if you are looking for herbal information pertaining to another part of the world (such as East Asia, for example) then this likely wouldn’t be the book for you.
I would Highly recommend this for anyone who is interested in incorporating some useful nutritional and beneficial herbs into their life, whether as teas, tonics, essential oils, cosmetics, dyes, or other products.
Also, for anyone interested in the mythology of plants, there’s an enjoyable section on that in the book too.
5 ⭐️ out of 5.
December 1, 2014
This is an amazing book that I am glad to add to my collection. I have always been interested in botany, gardening and the different uses of plants and herbs and this book is full of over 2,000. It begins with lists of herbs that can be used for different situations (i.e. upset stomach, trouble sleeping), then continues on to specifics on individual herbs, including recipes/preparations for the use of each. There are some beautifully done hand-drawn pictures included throughout as well. A very interesting and helpful book that will be of quite a bit of use throughout the rest of my life.
Note: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Note: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
November 30, 2020
I have an old copy of the first edition of this book that I've had for years and would never let go of, not matter how many times I moved and thinned out my books. This is a re-release and I'm really happy to see it back in print.
The book has some interesting information about herbs and history, especially medicinal uses of herbs. There is a little basic botanical information that anyone can follow and instructions on how to gather and dry herbs as well as information on growing your own herb garden and how to store them properly.
Commercial sources for buying herbs are given for various states in the U.S. Presumably these have been updated for the new version.
How to make infusions and decoctions is covered as well as extracts, juices, powders, syrups, tinctures, poultices and other forms of preparing medicinal forms in which herbs might be used.
The bulk of the book is encyclopaedic. There is a large section for looking up herbs that might be used for various medicinal purposes, for example if you want an analgesic or antibiotic property, you will be guided to pages which have herbs listed which contain these properties. From there, the user must read properly about all the qualities of the herb and use some common sense.
This is followed by a section on common complaints and which herbs might be useful for treating them.
Part two of the book is the real treasure. It is an alphabetical list of herbs that gives detailed information about their properties, including any cautions required. This section rivals the classic Culpepper Herbal in complete information about pretty much any herb known to humankind.
There are line drawings to help to identify the herbs as well as detailed descriptions, Latin and common names, designation of parts of the plant to use, properties, preparations and dosages. This section is extensively indexed to make any herb you want to find information on easy to find, regardless of what name you know it by.
Part three goes into herbal mixtures for health and some information on vitamin nutrition and minerals, then talks about seasoning with herbs and herbal teas for enjoyment. It also suggests some natural herbal cosmetics for skin care and perfumes and even natural dyes. Some legend and lore is included.
The description of the book doesn't tell me if any of the information has been updated, but I suspect that it is very much the same as the first edition. Some information just doesn't get outdated. I have to give it 5 stars because this is still and will always be the one herb book which I feel is essential to always keep on my shelf and I particularly like the ease of use that it has always given me.
The book has some interesting information about herbs and history, especially medicinal uses of herbs. There is a little basic botanical information that anyone can follow and instructions on how to gather and dry herbs as well as information on growing your own herb garden and how to store them properly.
Commercial sources for buying herbs are given for various states in the U.S. Presumably these have been updated for the new version.
How to make infusions and decoctions is covered as well as extracts, juices, powders, syrups, tinctures, poultices and other forms of preparing medicinal forms in which herbs might be used.
The bulk of the book is encyclopaedic. There is a large section for looking up herbs that might be used for various medicinal purposes, for example if you want an analgesic or antibiotic property, you will be guided to pages which have herbs listed which contain these properties. From there, the user must read properly about all the qualities of the herb and use some common sense.
This is followed by a section on common complaints and which herbs might be useful for treating them.
Part two of the book is the real treasure. It is an alphabetical list of herbs that gives detailed information about their properties, including any cautions required. This section rivals the classic Culpepper Herbal in complete information about pretty much any herb known to humankind.
There are line drawings to help to identify the herbs as well as detailed descriptions, Latin and common names, designation of parts of the plant to use, properties, preparations and dosages. This section is extensively indexed to make any herb you want to find information on easy to find, regardless of what name you know it by.
Part three goes into herbal mixtures for health and some information on vitamin nutrition and minerals, then talks about seasoning with herbs and herbal teas for enjoyment. It also suggests some natural herbal cosmetics for skin care and perfumes and even natural dyes. Some legend and lore is included.
The description of the book doesn't tell me if any of the information has been updated, but I suspect that it is very much the same as the first edition. Some information just doesn't get outdated. I have to give it 5 stars because this is still and will always be the one herb book which I feel is essential to always keep on my shelf and I particularly like the ease of use that it has always given me.
December 2, 2014
I will never stop reading this book. John Lust opens with chapters on the shared histories of plants and humans, Botanical language and meanings, Wild crafting practice and ethic, growing your own herbs, purchasing, drying and storing herbs, basic guidelines to most traditional herbal preparations, a Glossary of Medicinal Effects and the Herbs that Produce Them, a condensed list of various human conditions and name lists of plants to treat them (with page number plant can be found in the book).
Then, 350 pages of plants. The line drawings are very simple, and only really useful to remind you of the shape of plants you already know, to further connect their shape with the information about them. The information is VERY well-presented. Here's the format...
[Plant name]
Common names: ...
Medicinal part: ...
Description: ... [to what lands it is native, where else it has spread and can now be found wild. precise botanical and sensory description of plant. its seasons, including when it flowers and bolts.]
Properties and Uses: ... [precise medicinal terms, i.e. soporific, astringent, etc. also, traditional medicinal and edible uses of the plant, perhaps even dye or other practical uses.]
Preparation and Dosage: ... [information such as, "do not use rootstock once it has lost its odor"]
[then, specific instructions for each preparation... i.e., "Decoction: 1 tsp. rootstock with one cup of water. take 1 Tbsp. three to six times a day."]
After these pages, Lust describes recommended mixtures of plants, nutritional information and herbs' roles in nutrition, info to be conscious of the effects of culinary herbs used in food, beverages (including alcohol recipes), cosmetics, aromas, DYES!, and, one of my favorites, stories and myths about various herbs!
While I've accumulated other books that fill roles in my apothecary and personal health that this book cannot, I have also never found a book that fills the role of The Herb Book, by John Lust. The plant information is so precise, and I absolutely love all of the cross-referencing and lists, all in very precise terminology. Not, "this herb helps you purge your pores," but rather, and simply, "soporific." Love, love, love this book! And it contains great primers on botany!
Then, 350 pages of plants. The line drawings are very simple, and only really useful to remind you of the shape of plants you already know, to further connect their shape with the information about them. The information is VERY well-presented. Here's the format...
[Plant name]
Common names: ...
Medicinal part: ...
Description: ... [to what lands it is native, where else it has spread and can now be found wild. precise botanical and sensory description of plant. its seasons, including when it flowers and bolts.]
Properties and Uses: ... [precise medicinal terms, i.e. soporific, astringent, etc. also, traditional medicinal and edible uses of the plant, perhaps even dye or other practical uses.]
Preparation and Dosage: ... [information such as, "do not use rootstock once it has lost its odor"]
[then, specific instructions for each preparation... i.e., "Decoction: 1 tsp. rootstock with one cup of water. take 1 Tbsp. three to six times a day."]
After these pages, Lust describes recommended mixtures of plants, nutritional information and herbs' roles in nutrition, info to be conscious of the effects of culinary herbs used in food, beverages (including alcohol recipes), cosmetics, aromas, DYES!, and, one of my favorites, stories and myths about various herbs!
While I've accumulated other books that fill roles in my apothecary and personal health that this book cannot, I have also never found a book that fills the role of The Herb Book, by John Lust. The plant information is so precise, and I absolutely love all of the cross-referencing and lists, all in very precise terminology. Not, "this herb helps you purge your pores," but rather, and simply, "soporific." Love, love, love this book! And it contains great primers on botany!
February 22, 2012
Most books on herbal healing wander and focus on what the author or editor pleases. This book is organized like a dictionary. It is a true reference. If you ever wondered what any herb really does, what other names it has, or how it has ever been used - then this is the book for you. At one point I saw that it was out of print. That would be a terrible oversight. It is *the* herb book.
June 9, 2020
I would have to say, hands down, this is one of THE BEST books to have on hand in regards to reference-style books for herbalism/herbal medicine. When others ask about "which books" would I suggest for herbalism/herbal medicine, this books is ALWAYS at the top of the list. I have had mine for about 20 years now and, in fact, had to get a replacement copy when my first one started seriously falling apart from so much use (I have a rubber band around it because the binding has split, pages are falling out, etc).
If you are serious about herbal medicine, or find that you use plants (etc) in your daily practice/use (i.e. pagan path) then I would strongly recommend this book. You won't be disappointed.
If you are serious about herbal medicine, or find that you use plants (etc) in your daily practice/use (i.e. pagan path) then I would strongly recommend this book. You won't be disappointed.
February 29, 2008
This book, for me, became the most sacred book in my herb collection. The information given, while concise, was complete and organized well so you can navigate through the book easily. Alas, I left my last copy in NY and don't know where to find another.
March 6, 2013
The herb book is the best all natural medicine book I've ever come across. I carry it with me everywhere. Any kind of herbal mixture I've made out of the book has always worked wonders. Definitely a must have for any person who prefers holistic health
January 30, 2016
Terrific dictionary-format reference on every medicinal herb imaginable. Cross-referenced to find herbs based on the illness you have, to find which illnesses are treatable by which herb and so on.
June 2, 2018
This book is crammed full of case histories, herb formulas, full , yet concise descriptions of herbs, their properties and uses, the majority of them illustrated, The Herb Book explains in easy-to-understand languages how you may use Nature's gentle medicines to build a livelier healthier, happier life!
Example inside the book: Tonsillitis (mostly as gargles) Carrot, celery, buttercups (all), black elder and( also show more herbs). Part 2 A Compendium Of Botanical Medicine also show illustrations of the species of plants and the medicinal purposes, and traditional remedies.
Carrot (Daucus Carota)
Common Names: Beesnet plant, Bird's-Nest root, Queen Anne's Lace Description: Carrot is an annual or biennial plant widely cultivated and also found wild in farmland, pastures, and meadows. The wild carrot has a tough, white, inedible root. The stem of the carrot plant is hairy and branched, the leaves bipinnate and cut into fine divisions. The lacy, white flower appear in a concave umbel from June to September.
Properties and Uses: Anthelmintic, carminative, diuretic, stimultant. Carrot soup makes a effective remedy for diarrhea and is easily digestible for those suffering from stomach, and intestinal problems. Carrot is also useful for preventing putrefaction in the intestine and for gastro-intestinal catarrh. The carrot's content of potassium salts accounts for its diuretic action, and it contains an essential oil that is effective against roundworms as well (eat 2 to 3 raw carrots a day for several days). Take carrot juice for stomach acidity and heartburn. And of course their carotene content provides the material for the body to make vitamin A, which is important for proper vision, especially night vision. An infusion or decoction of the seeds of wild carrot can be used for flatulence, as a diuretic, and to promote the onset of menstruation.
Preparation and Dosage:
Infusion or Decoction: Use 1 tbsp. wild carrot seeds with 1 cup water. Take 1 cup a day.
Juice: Take 1 to 2 cups a day, or eat 10 to 12oz. of freshly grated carrot for breakfast. An electric juicer makes fresh carrot juice easily available. Soup: Boil 1 pound peeled , grated carrot in 3/4 cup water until thick. Strain through a sieve. Then add 1 quart of meat broth.
Example inside the book: Tonsillitis (mostly as gargles) Carrot, celery, buttercups (all), black elder and( also show more herbs). Part 2 A Compendium Of Botanical Medicine also show illustrations of the species of plants and the medicinal purposes, and traditional remedies.
Carrot (Daucus Carota)
Common Names: Beesnet plant, Bird's-Nest root, Queen Anne's Lace Description: Carrot is an annual or biennial plant widely cultivated and also found wild in farmland, pastures, and meadows. The wild carrot has a tough, white, inedible root. The stem of the carrot plant is hairy and branched, the leaves bipinnate and cut into fine divisions. The lacy, white flower appear in a concave umbel from June to September.
Properties and Uses: Anthelmintic, carminative, diuretic, stimultant. Carrot soup makes a effective remedy for diarrhea and is easily digestible for those suffering from stomach, and intestinal problems. Carrot is also useful for preventing putrefaction in the intestine and for gastro-intestinal catarrh. The carrot's content of potassium salts accounts for its diuretic action, and it contains an essential oil that is effective against roundworms as well (eat 2 to 3 raw carrots a day for several days). Take carrot juice for stomach acidity and heartburn. And of course their carotene content provides the material for the body to make vitamin A, which is important for proper vision, especially night vision. An infusion or decoction of the seeds of wild carrot can be used for flatulence, as a diuretic, and to promote the onset of menstruation.
Preparation and Dosage:
Infusion or Decoction: Use 1 tbsp. wild carrot seeds with 1 cup water. Take 1 cup a day.
Juice: Take 1 to 2 cups a day, or eat 10 to 12oz. of freshly grated carrot for breakfast. An electric juicer makes fresh carrot juice easily available. Soup: Boil 1 pound peeled , grated carrot in 3/4 cup water until thick. Strain through a sieve. Then add 1 quart of meat broth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2016
There is NO comparison to this book. It covers not only description,but medical uses, folk lore, color used in dyes, culinary uses, it's amazing how much, & how thoroughly each herb/plant is covered! It's a "Must Have" book if you're learning about, or need/want to learn about an herb or plant's properties. An absolute 5 star rating. This book by John Lust should be (and is by many) considered the "standard" for its thorough information.
January 6, 2013
The best book on herbal usage bar none. I am on my fourth copy, I keep lending it out and it never finds it's way back. . .
August 8, 2014
**I received a digital ARC copy from NetGalley.**
The Herb Book begins with a history of herbs including the history of the medicinal use of herbs. L then discusses plants by breaking down plants into their different parts, and he gives a glossary of botanical terms to help with reader comprehension moving into the rest of the book. The information about growing herbs or purchasing herbs is followed by a resource list of places to purchase herbs broken down by state.
After covering the basics of herbs, L dives into the use and preparation of herbs. This section includes a glossary of medical effects and the herbs that produce them. It states the medical effect, describes it, and then gives the numbers for the herbs, as listed in the botanical guide, that can be used to achieve the effect needed/wanted. The next list names a variety of conditions and body organs and then gives the herbs that can be used to treat/help those conditions/organs. This is a very complete, long list, but it’s alphabetical for ease of use.
Now it’s time for the first gem of the book – the botanical medicine guide. This is where the herbs are covered in-depth. Each listing contains the primary name, the botanical name, the common name(s), the medicinal parts, a description, the properties and uses, the preparation and dosage, and often a sketch of the plant. The detailed guide is followed by an alphabetical lists of the herbs that have been covered with their medical guide number. The first list includes the primary and common names while the second list includes the Latin names of the herbs. It would have been nice to have page numbers on this list to make it easier to quickly find the herbs.
The second gem of the book is the herbal mixture formulas – the final section in the book. Once again, the information is presented in alphabetical order by the condition/organ being addressed. It lists the herbs being used and then gives the Rx formula. The formulas are simple, straight-forward, and easy to understand.
Even though this is an herb book, the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not forgotten as botanical medicine is about healing the whole body not just treating the symptoms. Diet is the next thing to be covered. Proteins, Vitamins, Minerals, Fats and Carbohydrates, Enzymes, and Hormones are all discussed.
A book about herbs and health wouldn’t be complete without digging into the culinary side of herbs and spices. The next section includes a listing with discussion of various herbs and spices. Some are well known while others are not as common. While herbs are used in cooking, they are also used to make both hot and cold herbal teas which, as you probably guessed, is covered in detail. The book even goes into some coffee substitutes, juices, and alcoholic beverages.
You can’t talk about herbs without going into cosmetic and other uses of herbs, and this book does not fail to address these topics. It discusses not only cosmetic use but also fragrances, dyes, insect repellents, and much more. The color guide for dyes is quite interesting as it lists which plants can be used to obtain various colors.
The book concludes with a discussion of plants and astrology and the legend and lore of a variety of plants. This book is packed with information. As someone who is still towards the beginning of my botanical medicine journey, I found the information intriguing. It was presented in a way that was easy for me to understand. It would be easy to look something up when needed. Of course, the one thing that I would have loved to see was color images in the herb guide.
The Herb Book is a must have book for anyone who is interested in herbs, natural health, and botanical medicine.
The Herb Book begins with a history of herbs including the history of the medicinal use of herbs. L then discusses plants by breaking down plants into their different parts, and he gives a glossary of botanical terms to help with reader comprehension moving into the rest of the book. The information about growing herbs or purchasing herbs is followed by a resource list of places to purchase herbs broken down by state.
After covering the basics of herbs, L dives into the use and preparation of herbs. This section includes a glossary of medical effects and the herbs that produce them. It states the medical effect, describes it, and then gives the numbers for the herbs, as listed in the botanical guide, that can be used to achieve the effect needed/wanted. The next list names a variety of conditions and body organs and then gives the herbs that can be used to treat/help those conditions/organs. This is a very complete, long list, but it’s alphabetical for ease of use.
Now it’s time for the first gem of the book – the botanical medicine guide. This is where the herbs are covered in-depth. Each listing contains the primary name, the botanical name, the common name(s), the medicinal parts, a description, the properties and uses, the preparation and dosage, and often a sketch of the plant. The detailed guide is followed by an alphabetical lists of the herbs that have been covered with their medical guide number. The first list includes the primary and common names while the second list includes the Latin names of the herbs. It would have been nice to have page numbers on this list to make it easier to quickly find the herbs.
The second gem of the book is the herbal mixture formulas – the final section in the book. Once again, the information is presented in alphabetical order by the condition/organ being addressed. It lists the herbs being used and then gives the Rx formula. The formulas are simple, straight-forward, and easy to understand.
Even though this is an herb book, the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not forgotten as botanical medicine is about healing the whole body not just treating the symptoms. Diet is the next thing to be covered. Proteins, Vitamins, Minerals, Fats and Carbohydrates, Enzymes, and Hormones are all discussed.
A book about herbs and health wouldn’t be complete without digging into the culinary side of herbs and spices. The next section includes a listing with discussion of various herbs and spices. Some are well known while others are not as common. While herbs are used in cooking, they are also used to make both hot and cold herbal teas which, as you probably guessed, is covered in detail. The book even goes into some coffee substitutes, juices, and alcoholic beverages.
You can’t talk about herbs without going into cosmetic and other uses of herbs, and this book does not fail to address these topics. It discusses not only cosmetic use but also fragrances, dyes, insect repellents, and much more. The color guide for dyes is quite interesting as it lists which plants can be used to obtain various colors.
The book concludes with a discussion of plants and astrology and the legend and lore of a variety of plants. This book is packed with information. As someone who is still towards the beginning of my botanical medicine journey, I found the information intriguing. It was presented in a way that was easy for me to understand. It would be easy to look something up when needed. Of course, the one thing that I would have loved to see was color images in the herb guide.
The Herb Book is a must have book for anyone who is interested in herbs, natural health, and botanical medicine.
October 22, 2022
The Herb Book: The Most Complete Catalog of Herbs Ever Published by John Lust
640 Pages
Publisher: Dover Publications Inc
Release Date: July 16, 2014
Nonfiction, Nature, Outdoors, Plants, Herbs, Medicinal, Healing, Remedies
The book is divided into the following parts.
Part 1: Herbs and History
Part 2: A Compendium of Botanical Medicine
Part 3: Herbal Mixtures
This book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in herbal remedies. I glimpsed through this ebook several times before I realized I needed a physical copy. The book is massive in size and information. I appreciate the drawing of leaves with descriptions for each. In fact, there is a drawing for many of the herb entries. This book is a valuable reference book and plan on spending many days pouring through the entries.
640 Pages
Publisher: Dover Publications Inc
Release Date: July 16, 2014
Nonfiction, Nature, Outdoors, Plants, Herbs, Medicinal, Healing, Remedies
The book is divided into the following parts.
Part 1: Herbs and History
Part 2: A Compendium of Botanical Medicine
Part 3: Herbal Mixtures
This book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in herbal remedies. I glimpsed through this ebook several times before I realized I needed a physical copy. The book is massive in size and information. I appreciate the drawing of leaves with descriptions for each. In fact, there is a drawing for many of the herb entries. This book is a valuable reference book and plan on spending many days pouring through the entries.
July 24, 2017
Title: The Herb Book - The Most Complete Catalog of Herbs Ever Published
Author: John Lust
Publisher: Dover Publications
Published: 7-16-2014
Pages: 642
Genre: Outdoors & Nature
Sub-Genre: Botany; Herbal Remedy; Reference
ISBN: 9780486781440
ASIN: B00KTAPQA
Reviewed For NetGalley and Dover Publication
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 5 Stars
When it says it is the most complete book on herbs, I can easily believe it. History of plants/herbs, uses for them as well as a charts of leaves and list showing categories of a variety of Herbs are provided. You may feel overwhelmed by the information, but if you take it in increments you will retain an appreciate it more. It is also a great reference source to identify the various plants in your own areas.
My rating of "The Herb Book" is 5 out of 5 stars.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KTZAPQA/...
B&N Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-...
Books-A-Million Link: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Herb-B...
Kobo Link: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-...
GoodReads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
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Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/DelAnne531/status...
Author: John Lust
Publisher: Dover Publications
Published: 7-16-2014
Pages: 642
Genre: Outdoors & Nature
Sub-Genre: Botany; Herbal Remedy; Reference
ISBN: 9780486781440
ASIN: B00KTAPQA
Reviewed For NetGalley and Dover Publication
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 5 Stars
When it says it is the most complete book on herbs, I can easily believe it. History of plants/herbs, uses for them as well as a charts of leaves and list showing categories of a variety of Herbs are provided. You may feel overwhelmed by the information, but if you take it in increments you will retain an appreciate it more. It is also a great reference source to identify the various plants in your own areas.
My rating of "The Herb Book" is 5 out of 5 stars.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KTZAPQA/...
B&N Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-...
Books-A-Million Link: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Herb-B...
Kobo Link: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-...
GoodReads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
The Reading Room Link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/DelAnne531/status...
October 25, 2014
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a review, and here it is:
This book is love, absolute love for those who have an interest in historical uses of medicinal herbs and plant lore. With adorable line drawings of a ton of plants and recommended herbal cures for boredom and frigidity, you know you are in for some old fashioned fun.
Don't get me wrong, this is not just a listing of plant information that no one in their right mind has used since the 1870s (really, datura for boredom, that is one hell of a cure)there is also really useful information, like gardening tips, herbal remedies, and shopping resources.
This is a great reference book, a real classic chock full of information.
This book is love, absolute love for those who have an interest in historical uses of medicinal herbs and plant lore. With adorable line drawings of a ton of plants and recommended herbal cures for boredom and frigidity, you know you are in for some old fashioned fun.
Don't get me wrong, this is not just a listing of plant information that no one in their right mind has used since the 1870s (really, datura for boredom, that is one hell of a cure)there is also really useful information, like gardening tips, herbal remedies, and shopping resources.
This is a great reference book, a real classic chock full of information.
August 28, 2014
This updated edition of John Lust's classic "The Herb Book" is excellent. I was impressed by the scope of the book and Mr. Lust's attention to detail. He has a clear and informative writing style. The book is an excellent learning tool as well as an invaluable reference. It may not contain everything about every herb, but it provides accessible and easy to use information on most herbs used in everyday life.
October 3, 2014
Given To Me For An Honest Review
John Lust's book The Herb Book: The Most Complete Catalog of Herbs Ever Published is a very good one to add to your book collection. It is a great reference book. You can look up herbs by their common name, their scientific name and what ailments you want to treat. I also helps you to identify herbs. This book also tells you how to use herbs but it does not tell you how to grow them. I recommend this book. I look forward to more from John Lust.
John Lust's book The Herb Book: The Most Complete Catalog of Herbs Ever Published is a very good one to add to your book collection. It is a great reference book. You can look up herbs by their common name, their scientific name and what ailments you want to treat. I also helps you to identify herbs. This book also tells you how to use herbs but it does not tell you how to grow them. I recommend this book. I look forward to more from John Lust.
August 13, 2012
I'm not an herbalist, but I've tried a few of the herbal remedies listed in this book. It's a good, thorough reference, and it has the best indexing of any book I've ever seen: the herbs are alphabetical, but there are indexes for types of illnesses, types of remedies, and more, making it easy to find something when you don't know much of anything. It even lists remedies for boredom.
December 14, 2012
The book was spectacular! In terms of information, that is.
The contents were almost herbs from America and Europe (though cultivated) but I there were only a few herbs in the list that are naturally here in the Philippines, so I kinda doubt that it could be very handy for me. But at the last pages, it contained etymology of the herbs. I like mythology, so it hit the spot for me.
The contents were almost herbs from America and Europe (though cultivated) but I there were only a few herbs in the list that are naturally here in the Philippines, so I kinda doubt that it could be very handy for me. But at the last pages, it contained etymology of the herbs. I like mythology, so it hit the spot for me.
September 18, 2014
Featuring historical data, lore and legend, as well as medicinal advice and practical usage, this book is near overwhelmingly informative. An excellent resource for serious beginners and established practitioners alike. This comprehensive encyclopedia is a must-have for anyone with a studious interest in herbalism.
[ARC received courtesy of Netgalley.]
[ARC received courtesy of Netgalley.]
August 13, 2014
This book is pretty intense with its information! I'll never get to remember 1/4 of the information the book contains, but that's a good thing as I'll have to continuously refer to it.
I was interested in this book as I was looking for more natural remedies for a chronic issue - I know many people that would be either interested or skeptical and I think this is a great book for both sides.
I was interested in this book as I was looking for more natural remedies for a chronic issue - I know many people that would be either interested or skeptical and I think this is a great book for both sides.
October 19, 2008
This book has just about everything you need to know about herbs, it's easy to find your specific ailment and it then lists over 20 herbs that heal for each. It teaches you how to use the herbs in everyday cooking, as well as recipes for teas and how to make tinctures.
March 17, 2009
This is one of the classics of herbal medicine. My copy is filled with highlighter underlines. A must for anyone who is serious about learning the medicinal properties of herbs, plants, flowers, vegetables, and fruits.
November 6, 2014
I couldn't say more, to sum up what you get, without repeating the complete title itself. If you want to learn about "everything" herbs, this is it! Descriptions (drawings are included to help identify) of plants, medicinal remedies with recipes. Expertly indexed!
May 29, 2015
Great reference book. with nice clear illustrations which help when out wild gathering. Formated like a dictionary, and as someone who enjoys herbal teas - this book was a wee gem - also very helpful for cooking as well.
May 13, 2008
One of my most useful books. Great information on many herbs, well organized.
January 5, 2011
A wonderful, comprehensive guide to herbs.
May 22, 2008
This is one of my favorites. I use it regularly for reference. I highly recommend this book for any herbalist's shelf and for those that only dabble.
June 13, 2008
my mama had this book and i used to read it for hours.
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