Whole Herb, The

The Whole Herb is an easy-to-follow guide to the many uses of these wonderfully aromatic plants. The book begins by looking at the history and benefits of herbs, while subsequent chapters focus on their many uses, including herbs and health, herbs in the kitchen, herbs around the house, and herbs in the garden. What comes next is an A-to-Z reference profiling over fifty common herb varieties. Each entry provides information on the herb’s background, benefits, and uses, along with helpful buying guides, growing instructions, preservation methods, and safety information. Throughout, insets highlight important facts and techniques, helping you fully enjoy the herbal experience.

Humankind and herbs. It's a relationship that spans the millennia—and what a relationship it is. Herbs have provided us with sustenance for both our bodies and our souls. Herbs have been our medicine and our food. They have been used to give thanks to the heavens and to celebrate the spirit. Their fragrance and beauty have delighted our senses. And we have passed down our knowledge of herbs to countless generations so that they, too, could understand, cultivate, and use these most precious gifts of nature.

Today, herbs continue to play an important part in our lives. Whether we use them for healing, in cooking, in crafts, or in a thousand and one other ways, our unique relationship with these valuable plants remains strong. The Whole Herb was designed for everyone who wishes to learn more about herbs and to incorporate them in daily life. Here is a complete, practical, and easy-to-follow guide to the many uses of herbs.

The Whole Herb begins by looking at the fascinating history and benefits of herbs. Each of the following chapters then focuses on a different use of herbs, including herbs and health, herbs in the kitchen, herbs around the house, and herbs in the garden. These chapters provide clear guidelines that enable you to use herbs both safely and effectively. Finally, the last section of the book offers detailed profiles of over fifty commonly used and affordable herbs. Each entry presents information on the herb's history, uses, and benefits, along with buying guides, growing instructions, methods of storage, and safety information. Included throughout the book are insets that highlight important facts and techniques, helping you to fully understand and enjoy the herbal experience.

From relaxing aromatherapy to refreshing herbal teas, from delicious sauces to cold prevention, from bug deterrents in your garden to potpourri on your counter, The Whole Herb has it all.

About the Author:
Barbara Pleasant is a lecturer, columnist, and best-selling author of over twenty books on plants and gardening. She received both her undergraduate and master's degrees from the University of Alabama. As a writer, her articles have appeared in numerous national magazines and newspapers throughout the country. In addition, Ms. Pleasant's work has twice won the Quill and Trowel's Certificate of Merit sponsored by the Garden Writers Association of America. Currently, the author resides in North Carolina.

Publishers Weekly

Beginning herbalists will find an expert's worth of knowledge in this holistic guide to everything one can possibly do with herbs. It's really two books in one, as the first section reviews the medicinal, culinary, ornamental and aromatic uses of herbs in general, and explains how to grow them (indoors and out); and the second part is an A to Z reference of specific herbs, with details on their applications. Beginning with healing uses, Pleasant (Controlling Garden Weeds; etc.) explores how herbs can be made into teas, tinctures, tablets and compresses; and used to soothe skin irritations, calm an upset stomach or ease depression, with a caveat about safety. Pleasant's later techniques on cooking range from basic to creative: she offers instructions on how to preserve herbs by freezing and drying, as well as recipes for herb-infused oils, herb butters, dry rubs and herbed ice cubes made with water and other liquids. Useful margin notes on how to revive dried spices, wash herbs before picking them and other tricks are helpful even for experienced readers. Pleasant's home projects include recipes for mixing potpourri, making sachets and building a wreath with fresh herbs. But the author doesn't recommend doing it all at home (e.g., although essential oils, concentrated herb essences, are ideal for baths and showers, the author guides readers to the store for them). Pleasant perks up her generally serious tone with enthusiastic asides, such as "Exactly what is an aromatic herb? Any herb that smells good!" (Apr.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Barbara Pleasant is a lecturer, columnist, and best-selling author of over twenty books on plants and gardening. She received both her undergraduate and master’s degree from the University of Alabama. As a writer, her articles have appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers, and her work has twice won the Quill and Trowel’s Certificate of Merit, sponsored by the Garden Writers Association of America.