Herbs of the Bible: 2000 Years of Plant Medicine [Hardcover]

James A. Duke (Author), Peggy K. Duke (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1999

This is an informative, detailed, and entertaining 2000-year journey that explores the history of over fifty herbs, from their popular uses today in health food, aromatherapy, and alternative medicine. The fifty Biblical plants discussed in this handsome volume are accompanied by beautiful botanical illustrations, quotes and stories form the Bible, a list of recommended readings and extensive resource directory.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

One of the world's most recognized authorities on botanical medicine, James A. Duke, Ph.D., was born in Birmingham, ALabama, April 4, 1929. Dr. Duke is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where he completed his AB (1952), MA (1955),and Ph.D. (Botany, 1961). For nearly thirty years, he worked for the United States Department of Agriculture as a specialist in medicinal plants. He did post doctoral work at the Missouri Botanical Gardens and many years of ethnobotanical study and work in South America and Southeast Asia. He served as chief of the USDA Medicinal Plant Laboratory, seeking botanical cancer-fighting compounds, and is the author of The Green Pharmacy and co-author of The Amazonian Ethnobotanical Dictionary. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (December 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883010667
• ISBN-13: 978-1883010669
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,503,207 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

JAMES A. DUKE, PHD, held several posts in his more than three decades with the US Department of Agriculture, including chief of the Medicinal Plant Resources Laboratory. He is the author of numerous scholarly and popular books, including the bestseller The Green Pharmacy, and is on the board of advisors for Prevention. He resides in Fulton, Maryland.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good reference, October 1, 2004

By 

M. Coppedge (North Carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Herbs of the Bible: 2000 Years of Plant Medicine (Hardcover)

James Duke, a medicinal plant specialist, describes close to 60 plants used in Biblical times. Not all the plants he mentions are herbs, as the title of the book may suggest. He includes nuts, fruits, legumes, and spices.

In his introduction, he explains which plant names are used in the Bible, why the Bible does not go into detail about their medicinal values, and how translation errors have lead to misinterpretations of Bible passages.

The major portion of the book is dedicated to the plants themselves. Duke explains their possible benefits and their use in medicine and cooking. He offers folklore, and for some plants even recipes, such as a skin softener made with almond oil, a dandruff shampoo with olive oil, or a wart removal remedy with figs. It's not a book for herbal self-medication, but an herbal encyclopedia on a small scale. I really enjoyed it.

25 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "Must-Have" for Every Herbalist, Spiritual Healer, etc!, June 3, 2000

By 

Rev. Dr. Lisa Waltz - See all my reviews

This review is from: Herbs of the Bible: 2000 Years of Plant Medicine (Hardcover)

I was fortunate enough to be able to read this book before it went to press, as I was asked to give a quote for the back of the book. It is thorough, well researched, and is a valuable resource for scholars, healers, herbalists, historians, spiritual healers, students - well, for everyone! Herbs that were mentioned in the Bible are explained and includes a look at how they are still used today. Anyone familiar with Dr. Duke's work will want this on their library shelf!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Herbs of the Bible is Delicious!, October 17, 2010

By 

Mater lady - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Herbs of the Bible: 2000 Years of Plant Medicine (Hardcover)

This is one of the best books about Herbs that are mentioned more than 137 times in the Bible. The book is easy to read and has lovely illustrations throughout. The detailed descriptions and uses of herbs are entertaining as well as educational.
The reader can enjoy learning about past and present uses of some of these familiar herbs and plants.
Mr. Duke should be commended for his accuracy and yet delightful knowledge about herbs.
I take his book to show during my speeches about herbs mentioned in the Bible and have yet to meet anyone who doesn't appreciate his book. Even people who aren't interested in using herbs can learn how the chemical components of certain herbs have been the basis of our modern day medicines.
I always recommend that this book should be an essential part of anyone's garden library.