The Herbalist [Paperback]

Joseph E. Meyer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1986

This longtime best-selling book about herbs and their uses is now available in a newly revised and updated edition. It explains where different herbs grow; how to gather and prepare them; their medicinal values; and how to use them. Additional information has been added on beverage teas, spices and flavoring herbs, plant vitamins, plant dyes for fabrics, botanicals for dentifrices, gargles and cosmetics. Clear-cut illustrations of plants are found throughout the text and 291 plants are illustrated in full color.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Joseph E. Meyer and his son, Clarence Meyer, were life-long herbalists. Their company for selling dried botanicals and teas was founded in 1910 and is still in operation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Meyerbooks; Rev Upd edition (May 1, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0916638006
• ISBN-13: 978-0916638009
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #371,098 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best her book I have ever read!, November 30, 2000

By 

W. Lambdin "Two Bears" (Ellensburg, WA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Herbalist (Paperback)

This book is small, but it is PACKED with useful information.

This is only one of two herb books that were given places of honor in my personal library. I have been referring to this book for almost 10 years.

Page 5-147 Herbal Information.

Page 148-159 Herbs are listed by categories.

Page 162-163 Herbs are listed by mineral content.

Page 164-165 Herbs are listed by vitamin content.

Page 166-177 Herbs can be used in teas.

Page 178-188 Herbs for spices and flavoring.

Page 190-194 Herbs for Wines, cordials and whiskey.

Page 196-200 Herbs for Potpouri and sachets.

Page 212-222 Herbs can be used as dyes.

Page 224-227 Herbs for smoke mixtures.

Page 233-280 Color photos of herbs.

Extract the essential oils from plants

Prepare salves and ointments

Prepare tinctures

Prepare decoctions

Botanical mouth wash

Home made chewing gum

And MORE!

Please E-mail me if you have questions or comments. Two Bears.

Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I love this book, I want to get it for all my friends., February 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Herbalist (Paperback)

If you take time to read the beginning of this book, it will become exactly what the author intended an aid for the average person to take care of and heal him self, at home, with what he most likely allready has on hand.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FULL OF KNOWLEDGE, INTERESTING TO READ AND AN EXTREMELY USEFUL WORK HERE., November 6, 2010

By 

D. Blankenship (The Ozarks) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Herbalist (Paperback)

For most of my life I have had a fascination for herbs and herb lore. I was one of those kids that was constantly "experimenting" with plants; constantly smelling them, tasting them and attempting to find information about them. Lucky for me, and it was indeed pure luck; the worse thing that happened to me was an occasional belly-ache. Go figure.
This little book will be an absolute delight to anyone who has even the slightest interest in herbs; both domesticated and wild. Actually, anyone who has the slightest interest in the study of natural history, in particular plants will find this a great read. It is the type of book that can be read in brief spats and can be read over and over again, with new facts discovered upon each reading.

The review here by W. Lambdin gives a very nice overview of the table of contents and the organization of the book. Reading that review will give you a good idea of what subjects are covered.

It should be noted that the information found in this work dates back to its first publication date of 1918. Of course this is a completely updated version of that publication date along with the 1932, 1934 and 1979 versions.

There are 291 plant illustrations in this work in full color and literally hundreds of black and white illustrations.

Many of the short articles published here are from a different era and the publishers have seen fit to remain true to the original text so we are treated to some very nice post-Victorian writing...it is absolutely charming.

This work is also filled with extremely useful information which any herbalist will find not only interesting, but quite valuable.

Each plant here is listed by name, then scientific name and then a list of the various "common names" is given. The book gives us the parts of the plant to be used,, a full verbal description, properties, uses and dosage.

While not absolutely necessary, the reading of this work will be somewhat enhanced if the reader has some familiarity with plant nomenclature, plant anatomy and a wee bit of a medical background. The book covers these subjects, but it is helpful if you have a bit of a head-start.

It should be noted that this book (I am reviewing the hardcover version here) is on the smallish side and the print is very small. Those that have trouble reading normal print in a book will have great difficulties with this one.

Now I am not one to preach, nor am I one to throw wet blankets over the endeavors of any one, but I do feel a need to warn those who are unfamiliar with herbs and their usage to be very, very careful. Sometimes a little knowledge can be a very dangerous thing. Many of the herbs here have very useful medical purposes, but it should also be noted that many of these plants, in the hands of a novice, can be quite deadly, or at the very least, make you quite ill. Do be careful and do your research. Also be aware that many of the desirable properties of some of these plants, and the cures that are attributed to them, is nothing more than the wishful thinking on the part of some herbalist in the distant past.

Very much recommend this work...it is one of the best.

Don Blankenship