Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #358701 in Books
• Published on: 1996-03-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Synopsis
Covering European plants used in both traditional and herbal medicine, this book describes the key identification features of over 300 species, including their habitat and in which seasons they can be found. In addition, information is provided on how the plants are used in a variety of ways. Not only are medicinal uses described, but there are also tips on how various herbs and other plants can be used safely around the home - in cooking and teas for example.

Customer Reviews

Highly informative excellent guide
This excellent book seems to be unavailable online from the usual places, yet many bookshops I have visited recently still have copies of it in their bargain books section, which is where I got mine for £2.99 and what a bargain it truly is.

I am big fan of the Collins Nature Guides and Collins Gem series and this guide is true to their normal high standards. It lists over 300 herbs and healing plants of Britain and Europe used both in conventional, herbal and homeopathic medicine. This easy to use guide has the plants arranged by colour coding of the flower and indicates which plants are protected or even poisonous.

Each plant is shown by a good colour photograph, with a clear, concise description and gives details of its flowering season, its uses, home use tips (usually tisanes and teas) and the active ingredient within the plant that make it so useful. Also listed is the plants habitat and distribution within Europe. What isn't listed however and that I feel should be made clear on every plants use details is which part of the plant should be used, for some plants you would have to refer to elsewhere as to whether you want to use the leaves or the flowers for example. The back of the book contains brief information on botany, collection of herbs, their preparation and storage, and a short guide on how to use them. There is a very useful calendar too giving details of when to pick some of the herbs and the parts to collect.

The books primary purpose is as a guide to identification of the herbs and healing plants of Britain and in this it does not fail. However once you have recognised and collected your herbs then it will be a different kind of specialist book that you will require.

herbalist
one of the few modern books that is writen in simple plain english rather than so 200 year old gibberish. a great book if you want to start to forage a little more deeply than many other people