Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: The Definitive Home Reference Guide to 550 Key Herbs with all their Uses as Remedies for Common Ailments [Hardcover]

Andrew Chevallier (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dk Natural Health | Publication Date: December 1, 2000

Fully updated and authoritative, this revised edition of DK's Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine makes this classic, completely illustrated reference guide even bigger and better than the original. Featuring more than 550 medicinal plants and the most current scientific research, this volume provides a comprehensive guide to healing with the world's oldest form of medicine. A unique photographic index profiles over 550 plants, with detailed information on habitat and cultivation, parts used, active constituents, therapeutic properties, and traditional and current uses. A special section profiles 100 of the most common plants, featuring herbal preparations and recommendations for self-treatment. Guidelines on growing, harvesting, and storing medicinal plants also demonstrate making remedies for home use. In addition, accessible text offers fascinating insight into the chemistry of plants and their healing properties, explaining how and why they work as medicines within the body. The major herbal traditions of different cultures- Europe, India, China, Africa, Australia, and the Americas- are vividly described. A review of herbs from a historical perspective reveals the connection between medicinal herbs and cultural beliefs toward healing. Offering extensive coverage of all that herbs are- from cultural traditions to chemical components to self-treatments for common ailments-this Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine is the ultimate reference for anyone interested in exploring the healing benefits of medicinal plants.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This is the second edition of Chevallier's The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants (LJ 12/96). Although the title has changed, the format and contents are substantially the same. Careful comparison of the two editions, though, reveals that the text of the second edition has been revised to reflect the latest herbal research and includes some herbs not mentioned in the earlier book, such as cat's claw. The new edition also addresses the issues of quality control and the safe use of herbal remedies. But as with the original, initial and final chapters address the development of herbal medicine, world herbal traditions, and home remedies. Sandwiched between this material is an alphabetical listing by Latin name of 550 of the most commonly used individual herbs. One hundred key plants are given a full-page spread outlining their habitat and cultivation, related species, key constituents and actions, research, traditional and current uses, parts used, key preparations, and self-help uses. In a separate alphabetical list, an additional 450 plants are covered in less detail. A fine bibliography and index complete the book. As with all DK publications, the encyclopedia is lavishly illustrated with high-quality color captioned photographs and focus boxes. Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs (1998) is a similar title directed to a different audience. Although the Rodale book addresses briefly the medicinal uses of the listed herbs, there is a much stronger emphasis on the horticultural and culinary aspects. Deni Bown's Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses (1995) is more comprehensive, covering over 1000 herbs, but has less information regarding their medicinal use. Therefore, the new Chevallier volume remains a top choice for a library reference on the medicinal use of herbs for the public, although North American practitioners will find it lacking in the coverage of regional herbs. Recommended for both public and academic libraries. Mary Stout, Pima Community Coll., Tucson, AR
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Andrew Chevallier, FNIMH, is an experienced medical herbalist and Senior Lecturer in Herbal Medicine at Middlesex University. He runs a busy private practice in London and is involved in clinical and laboratory research in herbal medicine. He is a past president of the National Institute of Medicinal Herbalists, and author of several other books on herbal medicine, including Hypericum: The Natural Antidepressant and More and Flaxseed.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: DK Adult; 2nd revised edition (December 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789467836
• ISBN-13: 978-0789467836
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,163 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > Antiques & Collectibles
  • #43 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Reference

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource for medicinal uses....., December 10, 2000

By 

Dianne Foster "Di" (USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: The Definitive Home Reference Guide to 550 Key Herbs with all their Uses as Remedies for Common Ailments (Hardcover)

With the wide selection of books on herbal uses confronting the average herbalist or curious reader, how is one to choose which resource is best? The answer is that it is impossible to use only one resource. Chevallier's books come close to being the one resource to use for employing herbs for medicinal purposes, but because the misuse of herbs can be deadly, I rely on a variety of material and crossreference my applications. In other words, if anyone says an herb has proved poisonous, I am careful. ....

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HERBAL MEDICINE (EHM) by Andrew Chevallier is an update of his book THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MEDICINAL PLANTS (EMP). EHM covers most of the same plants as EMP, but contains more up-to-date information from various sources conducting research on the properties and uses of herbs, including herbal systems in other parts of the world such as the U.K. and Germany, (i.e. not exclusively reliant on the actions of the FDA or USDA for all it's information).

EHM, as did EMP before it, includes one of the largest selections of plants for medicinal uses. Not all the plants are botonacally speaking "herbs." Black Cherry, for example, is a tree, but like many other trees has constituent parts that may be used for medicinal purposes, and therefore viewed as an "herbal" remedy for certain conditions (chronic dry, irritable coughs!!)--or kill you if you ingest an excess. ....

EHM is not much concerned with the manufacture of floral sachets or assembly of ingredients for pot pourri, or how to lay out your herbal garden for that matter. In fact, my suspician is that the average EHM reader will probably consult the health food store for herbal items, and not grow herbs in the back yard or try to harvest them in the nearest park. ....

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but still lacking, May 9, 2010

By 

Lily "Thrifty Shopper" (Phx AZ) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: The Definitive Home Reference Guide to 550 Key Herbs with all their Uses as Remedies for Common Ailments (Hardcover)

I bought this book looking for a complete reference book for herbals for my family. I have two young boys, and it has been very challenging finding at home remedies for them when they have been sick. I don't like making too many trips to the doctor's office if I don't have to, and I'm more of a hands off, let nature take it's course kinda gal. However, when the boys or my husband are sick, I like to have something on hand that's not the most potent OTC you can buy, or even the herbal mixes they sell at the health food stores unless I am certain that what's in there is going to do no harm, and actually help them. That being said, this book falls short of what I was looking for. The full color pages are nice, and there is quite a bit of information available on each herb represented. It is also nice that there is a special section on kids in the back which tells you what the proper dosage is for little ones. However, I am concerned to find very little information on contraindications or cautions, for instance, herbs you should never take if you are pregnant are not noted except in a small section in the back. Kind of an awkward way to read the book. Specifically, the herb Lobelia has no mention of the fact that many herbalists don't use it because large doses can be fatal...might be good to know, eh? The organization is weird for the lay person (by scientific name), and there are some commonly found herbs in herbal remedies I have bought before that are not listed in the book. Overall, maybe good to have on hand, but not the one reference book you must have.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My medicinal herb bible, November 29, 2006

By 

Michelle - See all my reviews

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: The Definitive Home Reference Guide to 550 Key Herbs with all their Uses as Remedies for Common Ailments (Hardcover)

I have used herbal medications exclusively for about 10 years now, and I depend on this book as my herb "bible." It is always smart to double-check medicinal advice from several sources, but I have never found this book to be wrong or lacking in pertinent information. It is very well arranged, and information is cross-referenced which adds to the ease of use.