Magic and Medicine of Plants [Hardcover]

Editors of Reader's Digest (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1986

The only book that brings together: an authoritative, stunningly illustrated field guide; a how-to book for identifying, collecting, and reserving plants; the fascinating story of the legends and lore of medicinal plants; and a do-it-yourself guide to planting and using herbs in cooking, cosmetics, and health. Illustrated. 6 1/2" by 11".

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA The modern equivalent of Grieve's Modern Herbal (Dover, 1971). The editors have done an amazing job of compiling information about medicinal plants from scientific pharmacognosy, folklore, botany, and myth. The core of the book is a ``Gallery of Medicinal Plants,'' organized in alphabetical order by the plant's common name. Each entry includes a photograph of the plant in a field setting, a beautifully rendered color illustration, the history of the plant's medicinal uses, identification techniques, habitat, and scientific name. There are also chapters on plants in myth and magic, growing herbs, recipes for cooking with herbs, making herbal cosmetics, dyes, and various medicinal preparations (digestive aids, gargles, liniments, etc.). Included are a good index and useful charts. The best book available on herbs and medicinal plants. Jennifer John Reavis, Episcopal High School, Bellaire
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

This pleasant, colorful book opens with a brief introduction to medicinal plants followed by a "gallery" of 282 species that includes some naturalized plants as well as North American natives. Each one-page entry shows a photo of the whole plant, plus a close-up drawing and a few paragraphs describing the plant and its uses. A final section on growing and using herbs includes recipes and craft ideas. The book is quite attractivegood quality paper and printing, color on every page, and an unusual but handy size (6w x 11h). Unfortunately, there is no focus for the bookit's just many bits of sketchy information on numerous topics, suitable for browsing. For solid information, get Barbara Griggs's Green Pharmacy ( LJ 1/15/82). Katharine Galloway Garstka, Intergraph Corp., Huntsville, Ala.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: Readers Digest (September 1, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0895772213
• ISBN-13: 978-0895772213
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 6.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #780,423 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Graphics But a Tad Thin On Text..., June 9, 2000

By 

M. Cloud "magialuna" (Deep woods, Ga.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Magic and Medicine of Plants (Hardcover)

Bright Greetings, In my humble opinion, there is no one book to encompass herbalism in its entirety...but if you are willing to combine two books may I suggest using this book in conjunction with Paul Beyerl's "A Compendium of Herbal Magick". Paul's book is full of information regarding Magick, history and lore...but contains no pictures. If you couple his book with the herbal guide Reader's Digest sells, you won't be disappointed. The RD book is loaded with both photos and drawings, and together they make a very informative team! May Your Path Be Blessed, Morgana

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Good pictures., September 19, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Magic and Medicine of Plants (Hardcover)

When I went to school for Herbal Medicine we used this book only as a picture reference. The info is incomplete as well as false in some instances and gives herbs a bad wrap. Probably written by someone affiliated with the FDA. Might as well buy the PDR for Herbal Medicines which is also a decent picture reference.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It was decent, October 25, 2001

By 

Firestorm (Centerville, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Magic and Medicine of Plants (Hardcover)

Well, the pictures certainly make it a little easier to identify stuff in the wild, and the dye references, and growing guides are helpful. I am not a very adept gardener so I need all the help I can get. What dissapointed me most was the fact that each herb is limited to a one page section (except for the exotic and poisonous herbs). I was hoping to actually have information on the medicinal uses and at least guidlines on how to prepare them for use. It amazed me that it gives instructions on the harvesting of opium, but has next to no information on the medicinal preparation of plants.