please recommend an herb how-to book

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Countryside : One Thread

I am looking for a good how-to book for growing and harvesting herbs and using them for cooking and medicine. Any recommendations?

-- Cathy N. (keeper8@attcanada.ca), July 25, 2001

Answers

I can recommend several, but not one that does the whole she-bang. Which ones have you looked at and are interested in?

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@wildmail.com), July 25, 2001.

I also find that no one book will do........some are great for cooking advice, some for growing and harvesting and some for medicinal qualities.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), July 26, 2001.

For medicine try "The Green Pharmacy" by James Duke (in paperback now) or the PDR Guide to Herbal Medicines ($60) is excellent and includes side effects, interactions, chemical make-up etc. James Duke also authored a Peterson (?) Field Guide to Medicinal Plants, which is excellent help to new wildcrafters.

Check out the Rodale book series for herb growing advice.

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@wildmail.com), July 26, 2001.


I also consult several books. My favorites include "Herbs" a Reader Digest Home Handbook, Rodale's Successful Organic Gardening: Herbs, and "the Herb Book" by John Lust. "The Complete Medicinal Herbal" by Penelope Ody is a DK book and has lots of great pictures showing you the steps to making medicinals. Carla Emery's book also has a brief description of most herbs usually followed by recipes.

-- Bren (WAYOUTFARM@skybest.com), July 26, 2001.

Moderation questions? read the FAQ