Customer Reviews

The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants: A Practical Reference Guide to over 550 Key Herbs and Their Medicinal Uses

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is pretty enough for your coffee table. But it won't stay there. This is a dynamic book that summons herb gardeners to use the herbs they grow and herb users to grow the herbs they use. 550 herbs are profiled with photos and details of what they are used for, which part is used and how it is used. But, Mr. Chevallier doesn't stop there. He instructs you with color photographs and hands on instructions how to make the preparations needed. He not only tells you that a lotion of Lemon Balm is used for cold sores but how to make that lotion for yourself.  It covers everything from making your own tablets to making your own tonic wine. The emphasis here is on fresh from the garden potency.  There is a large chapter on specific ailments that is cross referenced with the plant pages. There is even a section on making an herbal first aid kit. This is the perfect book for those who want to rely on knowing the herb they are using is the correct one, and that it is fresh and organically grown.

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MEDICINAL PLANTS by Andrew Chevallier is a relatively comprehensive source of information about herbal uses for healing. This is not the most recent volume by this author, however. The 2000 version is more comprehensive and includes the most current information about research associated with herbal medicinal uses.

A less expensive and highly useful book on herbs and their uses is available from Rodale, entitled, ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HERBS. The Rodale book includes information missing from this version of Chevallier's book concerning negative effectives of herbs including accidental poisoning owing to misuse or problems with plant identification. Also, Rodale has been the the organic growing business for several decades and offers information about plant horticulture. Chevallier's book is better illustrated, and filled with many colorful photographs but relatively less text (ratio of 1:4 pages for each item).

Unlike Ody's book, THE COMPLETE MEDICAL HERBAL, the Chevallier book contains information about native American herbs such as Cimicifuga Racemosa (Squawroot, Black Cohash). THE COMPLETE BOOK OF HERBS by Leslie Bremmness does not contain the comprehensive coverage of medicinal uses, but it does provide much information about medicinal and other uses such as pot pourri and sachet making, paper making, and food preparation.

This is a big, beautifully illustrated compilation of herbal information.I haven't found an herb yet that wasn't covered here.This book is a joy to have around. From the herbal history of the world to the practical tips for everyday ailments, preparing tinctures, decoctions and infusions, it has everything you could want. I highly recommend this book to the novice herbalist as well as the experienced. Interesting, easy to read, buy this book!

A herbologist borrows my book for its fine information.

So many people are looking for alternative remedies to every day ailments. Going to the doctor is expensive and very time consuming. I found this book purely by chance and have been impressed beyond beliefe. From the history of herbalism to the future of holistic medicine, this book has it all. It is easy to read and understand making it perfect for anyone and everyone looking for a more homeopathic way to heal ones self. I highly recommend this book to every health conscious individual who wants to take control of his own healing. 5 stars!

As a student of herbal medicine myself, I find this book is more practical than any on the market. It is written so that even my cat can understand it, and oh... the information is very up-to-date, something us both future and already herbalists have a hard time finding. I even have caught my boyfriend reading it. So if your looking for a book that will help you discover how to make your fridge fuller than what it really is, this is it!

I have been looking for this book for over a year, and hadn't been able to find it. It is just what I was looking for and has great information, and really nice pictures.

This book has been on my most used shelf for over ten years. It has some shortcomings that are easily augmented by anyone with a good herbal library. I love the layout and medicinal information as well as the history of the different herbal systems in the world. Great Book!

If you want to know about herbs, you have come to the right place. The format of this book allows the reader to find all the pertinent information that he could want on any herb. Each page breaks down information on history and folklore, research, common uses, the part of the plant that is used, and beautiful photography of each herb. You will love it!!

The danish publisher Politiken asked me about my opinion of this book, as I am an monography author, and I recommended the book so heartily, that it became my task to translate the book into danish and be consultant on the work. What more can I say? Buy it!