New Herb Bible: Growing and Knowing Your Herbs--and How to Use Them (Hardcover)

~ Marcus A. Webb (Author), Caroline Foley (Author), Jill Nice (Author) "HERBS ARE STEEPED IN HISTORY AND ROMANCE..." (more)
Key Phrases: stronger remedy, pine kernels, fresh gingerroot, North America, Middle Ages, Warning Avoid (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

New Herb Bible offers a full directory of the best known herbs as well as comprehensive information on how to use them for a range of culinary, cosmetic and medical purposes. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

New Herb Bible, full of the most up-to-date and comprehensive information, offers sound advice on how to grow herbs easily, for both decorative and practical purposes-almost anywhere from windowsills to flower pots to beds and borders. It covers every stage from preparing and planting to harvesting and drying. A full directory of the best known and most popular herbs explains which are best for culinary use, which relieve common complaints or cosmetic problems, and which delight the senses with their lasting aroma. Included are recipes and remedies, a complete guide to cooking with herbs, and a special medicinal section by an expert in the field. Each herb is photographed in full color for easy identification, rendering New Herb Bible as beautiful as it is informative-ideal for both the longtime enthusiast and anyone who, intrigued by their increasing popularity, longs to be initiated.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Studio (February 28, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670030392
• ISBN-13: 978-0670030392
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,183,044 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good overview...., September 18, 2002

By	Dianne Foster "Di" (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

THE NEW HERB BIBLE was written by a garden designer, a beautician, and an osteopath/naturopath. The authors provide a much useful information about the major herbs used in cooking, cosmetics, and healing. Some of the material is quite good, but there are omissions and discrepancies the novice will not catch. The book is filled with many lovely photographs, a must for best selling gardening books these days, but not always an indicator the text is the most comprehensive, accurate, or current.

The "gardening" section of the book covers herbs that do well around London, but many of them may do better or worse in the States. For example, England sits on a nice chalk base and English Lavender does quite well along walkways. In the hot, humid, and acid soil found in many parts of the states, Lavender rots (does well in the Great Valley of Virginia which sits on a limestone bed!!). The authors suggest that the blue Cranesbill Geranium `Johnston's Blue' and the Lady's Mantle Alchemilla Mollis will bloom all summer, but they won't south of the Mason-Dixon line or in most of the west beyond the Mississippi. These plants bloom in the spring in the Upper South, and then they fry. Experienced gardeners know that certain roses do well in London, but others do well in the States.

The "cosmetic" section of this book is fun, and probably the best reason to buy it. However, making cosmetics is work, and if you have Fresh Fields next door, you may prefer to buy herbal cosmetics-I do. However, if you feel adventuresome, you too can make mint eye lotion and rose and basil perfume, provided you are able to grow the roses that produce the attar you need for the latter. You won't have any trouble at all growing the mint.

The "medicinal" section of this book is interesting, but I prefer Penelope Ody's COMPLETE BOOK OF MEDICINAL HERBS (she's English) or THE GARDEN PHARMACY by James Duke (retired from the USDA). RODALE'S ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HERBS is also a good bet (organic). You will probably want to own more than one book on the subject of medicinal herbs since some herbs can kill if they are misapplied. As the medicinal use of herbs is a tricky subject, I believe in a little cross-referencing. For example, the verdict is still out on Ginko, an "herb" recommended by this book (with caution). THE NEW HERB BIBLE mentions recent drug trials where possible, as does Dr. Duke and the RODALE book. Even when you are fully informed by books, a little trial and error will be required as all of us have different constitutions.

THE NEW HERB BIBLE is a useful survey work, but probably more useful for those living in England (5 stars) than the States (3 stars).

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Herb Bible Growing and Knowing Your Herbs, July 6, 2005

By	D. Powell - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book is well written and has excellent pictures detailing each herb. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know about many common herbs, their history and their uses.

4.0 out of 5 stars A must for the Herb lover, April 30, 2009

By	Deborah Pinker - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Great illustrations. This book is very helpful for those that know little or a lot about growing herbs and the many different varieties.