The Herbal Almanac [Hardcover]

Linda Ours Rago (Author), Marjorie Stodgell (Illustrator)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 80 pages
• Publisher: Starwood Pub (April 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0912347996
• ISBN-13: 978-0912347998
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,099,322 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars --Calendar of Herbal History and Folklore--, February 3, 2003

By 

Judith Miller (Bluemont, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Herbal Almanac (Hardcover)

In THE HERBAL ALMANAC, Linda Ours Rago gives us 366 days (includes Leap Year) of ancient herbal folklore, historic information and some lovely prose. This small book of calendar days is beautifully illustrated by Marjorie Stodgell and can be used year after year. Herbs are plants that can be used in medicines, seasonings, flavorings, and decorations. In this book, the author tells us which herbs are associated with the various days of the month. She also gives us the history or legend that is linked to the plants.

The best way for me to review this book is by quoting some of my favorite passages.

"JANUARY 26 - Wear a scarlet nightcap stitched up with lavender to shun winter melancholy.

FEBRUARY 3 - St. Blaise Day - The saint miraculously cured a boy with a bone in his throat so the day was named after him. Herbs to soothe a sore throat are hyssop, horehound, and sage.

MAY 9 - Violets are in bloom. Add them to your salads today.

JUNE 2 - St. Elmo's Day - St Elmo is the patron saint of sailors. Parsley and violets are special herbs to prevent scurvy --they are both rich in vitamin C.

AUGUST 4 - Sunflowers are in full bloom now. The sunflower is the symbol of constancy as its face follows the path of the sun.

OCTOBER 9 - The last herb stalk in the garden after harvest harbors the spirit of the garden. It should be tied up with ribbon and hung in the kitchen.

DECEMBER 11 - St. Andrew's Day - Serve fish today with dill, fennel, tarragon or bay".

This is a perfect addition to a gardener's library.