Mother Nature's Herbal (Llewellyn's Whole Life Series) [Paperback]

Judith Griffin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 8, 1997 | Series: Llewellyn's Whole Life Series

A multi-cultural bounty of folk remedies and herbal delights, this text takes the reader on an educational journey through the herbal world - from planting a herb garden and mixing natural herbicides, to working with folk remedies for common ailments and experimenting with more than 100 exotic recipes.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

I'm passionate about books that overflow with useful information, and Mother Nature's Herbal stirs my faculties on many levels simultaneously. Judy Griffin goes beyond "how-to" in her anthropological approach to the history, uses, and cultural significance of herbs in societies from West to East, yet her manner is still lighthearted and not overbearingly intellectual. This is a perfectly functional guide to herbalism, but it also engenders a respect and awareness of how important these plants have been to humankind.

From Booklist

Griffin asserts that every culture offers something to the herbalist and, accordingly, draws on Native American, Mesoamerican, colonial American, Arab, and other cultures. She gives historical, geographical, and mythical information as needed without being pedantic as she describes herbs and how to grow, harvest, and preserve them. Her recipes are clear, include suggested substitutes for hard-to-find ingredients, and are accompanied by medical warnings as needed. She specifies 40 plants for beginning herbalists to get to know, lists sources of further information and supplies, and gratifyingly includes information on landscaping with old roses and the use of essential oils. Furthermore, her herbal is both a nifty reference and a delightful read. William Beatty

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Product Details

• Paperback: 372 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (April 8, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567183409
• ISBN-13: 978-1567183405
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,341,582 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MOTHER NATURE'S HERBAL, December 18, 2000

By 

Cassandra Barnes "Cassandra" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mother Nature's Herbal (Llewellyn's Whole Life Series) (Paperback)

Dr. Judy Griffin provides a comprehensive guide to the herb world in Mother Nature's Herbal, her latest book. A master gardener, herbalist, and certified horticulturist, Griffin explains everything from how to start seeds in properly amended soil to harvesting and using the leaves, flowers, and berries of each plant optimally.

Her book is part of Llewellyn's Whole Life Series, which focuses on holistic living.

Griffin describes each herb fully, using common and botanical names. Delving into folklore, she presents historical and contemporary uses of many plants. She also provides cultural information on the use of herbalism (plant medicine) through the centuries, including Ayurvedic (Indian), Chinese, medieval, Mediterranean, and Native and South American remedies. Griffin wrote Mother Nature's Herbal for "those who are ready to learn and experience the beauty, knowledge, and synergy of everything that grows." She adds that "I emphasize companion planting, kitchen gardens, and herbal repellents."

Her book includes more than 200 recipes, ranging from Mango Salsa to Ginger Zucchini Carrot Cake to Pesto Genovese to the Nobody Loves Me Tonic, for when "life has let you down and no one seems to care." Health recipes encompass an abundance of tonics, as well as recipes for skin and hair care, therapeutic baths, and simple medicinal remedies. Food recipes include butters, vinegars, marinades, oils, and seasoning blends. She devotes one chapter to the use of essential oils and flower remedies.

Pen and ink drawings of 102 herbs garnish the pages, along with 24 color photos. Bits of wisdom, such as "Believe in your innate right to celebrate life through good health" and "The garden is the poor man's apothecary" are sprinkled throughout the book.

Griffin offers planting arrangements and directions for theme gardens, including a bee garden (which will also attract hummingbirds), culinary garden, romantic garden, fragrant garden, survivor's garden (herbs that will "tolerate poor, rocky soil"), shade garden, Biblical garden, and evergreen garden. Appendices include a growing chart with the conditions under which each plant will do best; information about nutrients; and a purchasing guide, with suppliers' addresses and telephone numbers. She provides an extensive glossary and bibliography.

Readers unfamiliar with the world of herbs will find a wealth of information for beginners in Griffin's book. More experienced herbalists will appreciate the thoroughness of her research. Everyone will enjoy the dozens of tips Griffin offers, like this one: "flavor salad dressing by soaking herbs in it for 30 minutes to an hour before serving. Use one teaspoon of herbs to one cup of dressing."

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have book for all herbal scholars!, October 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Mother Nature's Herbal (Llewellyn's Whole Life Series) (Paperback)

Judy Griffin goes beyond "how-to" in her anthropological approach to the history, uses, and cultural significance of herbs in societies from West to East, yet her manner is still lighthearted and not overbearingly intellectual. This is a perfectly functional guide to herbalism, but it also engenders a respect and awareness of how important these plants have been to humankind. 

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read, lovely Lore and Intriging recipies!, July 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Mother Nature's Herbal (Llewellyn's Whole Life Series) (Paperback)

This book is well researched and put together. It's like an *interesting* history lesson about herbs and how to use them, when, where, & why! There is herbal use from around the globe and it is just such a good book. Highly recommened if you love herbs and love making your own tinctures, tonics, and healing concoctions!