Herbs for Health and Healing [Paperback]

K. Keville (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1998

All-natural treatments for:

* headaches * insomnia * digestive disorders * colds, flu, and allergies * skin problems * stress, depression, and addiction * PMS * infertility * and much, much more... Plus tips on choosing the best herbal products, a cooking guide with recipes, a special chapter on aromatherapy, and hints on using herbs for skin and hair care.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Keville, director of the American Herbalist Association, delivers an entertaining compendium of herbal medicine. Clearly and enthusiastically writing about the benefits of natural healing, Keville limits her coverage to those herbs that are safe; for the novice, she includes simple instructions for making herbal preparations as well as guidelines for buying them. Grouping ailments by body system?respiratory, digestive, etc.?she provides recipes for remedies that she has found effective in her 30 years of studying herbalism. Separate sections on men's, women's and children's health problems offer treatments for conditions ranging from baldness and impotence to menstrual cramps and teething pain. There's even advice on putting together an herbal first-aid kit and a list of beauty tips for women. This guide, however, is not for those who require scientific proof, for although Keville sometimes cities studies supporting use of particular herbs, her evidence is largely anecdotal. Personal stories of successful healing abound in the text, and, along with the history and folklore, are what make the text enjoyable.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Keville's experience with herbs has been long and broad, as her Herbs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia (1994) attests. With Korn's writing assistance, in her new book she observes that herbs exert special appeal because they don't require misusing or killing animals and polluting the atmosphere to be tested and produced. After furnishing general information, Keville turns to the uses of herbs in treating each of the various body systems. Each body-system section consists of an introduction, discussion of the treatment of specific problems, and recipes for several herbal formulations. She takes up, among the expected conditions, such infrequently discussed matters as "sugar blues" in children and enlargement of the prostate. She points out the potential dangers of using some particular herbs simultaneously with particular prescription drugs, and she forcefully urges immediate consultation with a physician under certain circumstances. Although she refers to herbs as a tap on the shoulder and drugs as a kick in the pants, she sees herbs and regular medicines as cooperative therapeutics. William Beatty --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Berkley; Reprint edition (December 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425163067
• ISBN-13: 978-0425163061
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #568,856 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best practical herbal guide I have found!, July 13, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Herbs for Health and Healing (Hardcover)

I have to give you my opinion of Kathi Keville's book, HERBS FOR HEALTH AND HEALING. My husband purchased this book for me, having no idea if I would like it or not. I have so many herbal references that I thought, "Oh well, I might be able to find SOMETHING new in here." I couldn't believe how well researched and thorough this is! Although I have many books, magazines, etc., I honestly don't know what I would do without this book. The reason I contacted this site in the first place was to try to get more of her books. This would be an excellent choice for any experienced or beginner herbalist (or for any one simply interested in a holistic approach to medicine) to have and use frequently; I HIGHLY recommend it

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reference any herbalist must have!, January 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Herbs for Health and Healing (Hardcover)

I absolutely love this book, and have yet to find one that rivals the information & layout of this book. Very informative, but easy to read--excellent for the beginner!!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply amazing for the price!!!, October 21, 2005

By 

ThePaperbackStash.com (FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Herbs for Health and Healing (Hardcover)

******This is a review of the paperback version*******

It's amazing that I can go out and buy several $20+ 'recommended' books, and the 5-8 dollar paperbacks end up being the best. Such is the case with Kathi Keville's Herbs for Health and Healing. While not an herbal that is the end all of every herbal out there, it's extremely informative, enlightening, easily digestible, and chocked full of useful information.

The author genuinely has a love of herbs and a belief in their performance; for a change we have an herbalist who really is one, and not just trying to cash in on the latest craze. This little gem is broken down cleverly, with each section as exciting as the last.

The introduction alone is useful, highlighting some of the common reasons to use herbs and natural remedies; she lists facts that are eye openers and refreshing.

Why Use Herbs? further demonstrates her reasoning, listing the troubles of combating side effects, the benefits of herbs, how they work, why they do, and more.

The second, Herbal Preparation, briefly touches upon various way to use herbal remedies and make your own. It's of course clear to see this should be included, and included in this order. She mentions main herbal preparations, with some brief illustrations. There is not outright detail, but it's clear enough to get the basic idea.

The third section, Herbal Medicine, breaks down the larger sections into various body systems, beginning with the Brain and nervous system, ending with The skin. Each system is introduced with the roles it plays, things that can go wrong, and why they do. From here on she lists major complaints, symptoms and causes, backs up the herbs recommended with various studies, then backs up further with personal experience, and THEN usually has a basic formula to recommend. Excellent quick resource for a variety of maladies, clearly and confidently written.

For part 3 we have Living with Herbal Wisdom. Here she devotes an entire chapter to Men's Health, then Women's, then Childrens. Everything from hormones and infertility, to colic, to male baldness is touched upon. The section for children is an especially welcome entry; teeting, earaches, sugar blues, you name it.

And....this isn't all. Chapter 14 lists Herbal first aid, helping you establish a 'first aid kit' , why the herbs are recommended, how to use them, etc. Here she goes into detail on poison oak, ivy, bug bites, stings, mosquito repellants, and sunburns.

Chapter 15, aptly titled Cautions and Considerations, warns about using things safely. Topics include essential oils, identification, contamination, endangered herbs, and rare reactions. 16 dives briefly into the huge pool of aromatherapy, something that is obviously a first love for Kathi. In fact, she has other books on this subject alone. Techniques and measurements are all laid out. The list keeps growing - chapter 17 brushes upon Skin Care - including hair of course. Homemade beauty recipes, as well as combating skin issues and problems - are mentioned. Great extra! Finally, chapter 18 is about cooking for health - delicious recipes are given for soups, oils, vinegar, spices, pestos, veggies, hot sauces, homemade coffees, ending with candies such as ginger and horehound drops.

I repeat, sometimes the more expensive, bigger, prettier book is skimpier. From skin and cosmetics to cooking to first aid to body conditions, it's all here. It's not the most advanced herbal out there but it's not too basic for those with experience. Beginners will easily understand, while those who know their stuff will keep learning as the page turns. At this price, it's a bargain, a steal, almost a sin if not purchased.