Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

An illustrated edition of Hoffmann's earlier The New Holistic Herbal (Element, 1992), The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal offers a listing of over 200 herbs and detailed sections on their use in treating ailments associated with each major body system (circulatory, respiratory, digestive, nervous, reproductive, glandular, and urinary) as well as the major organs such as skin, ears, nose, and throat. In addition, an introduction to holistic medicine, instructions for making preparations, and a glossary are included. Hoffmann's effort is devoted almost solely to herbs found in North America (although this is not stated anywhere), with little information on habitat, growth, and gathering and no cautions on usage. For this latter type of information, one needs to consult The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants, which covers herbs from all over the world, giving their location and cultivation. The encyclopedia begins with a history of herbal medicine and the herbal traditions of different cultures. Following is a visual guide to 100 key herbs from around the world, with details of their habitat, actions, traditional and current uses, latest research, preparations, cautions about usage, and useful cross references to particular ailments. In addition, there are shorter descriptions of 450 other herbs, with their history, habitat, therapeutic properties, and medicinal uses. The final section covers growing, harvesting, and processing herbs; making remedies; dealing with common ailments; and a glossary. Both books are well indexed, profusely illustrated, and authored by established authorities in the field of herbal medicine. (Hoffman, incidentally, served as the American consultant for Chevallier's book.) The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants is a better choice as a reference manual, due to its comprehensiveness, habitat information, cautions, and cross references, while The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal is stronger on explaining the physiology and the role of herbs in general holistic health.?Valerie Vaughan, Hatfield P.L., Mass.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

This lavish book, with color illustrations on every page, focuses on the traditional and folkloric use of 550 plants and on their pharmacology. Chevallier has selected herbs that are commonly used and are considered to have particular health benefits. A small number are included because they are of historical interest. The presentation of "key" medicinal plants features 100 of the best known, including aloe, cayenne, cinnamon, lemon, clove, sage, and ginger, for example. The other 450 herbs include such familiar plants as oats, horseradish, tarragon, heather, and hemlock, and such exotic herbs as ylang-ylang, Iceland moss, and scurvy grass. Each of the 550 profiles includes details of the plant's history, cultivation, key constituents, therapeutic properties, and traditional and current uses. Herbal preparations for self-treatment are explained. George Cohen

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789410672
• ISBN-13: 978-0789410672
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #545,580 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hands on medicinal advice for herb growers, October 27, 1999

By	V.J. Billings (Mountain Valley Growers Squaw Valley, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This book is pretty enough for your coffee table. But it won't stay there. This is a dynamic book that summons herb gardeners to use the herbs they grow and herb users to grow the herbs they use. 550 herbs are profiled with photos and details of what they are used for, which part is used and how it is used. But, Mr. Chevallier doesn't stop there. He instructs you with color photographs and hands on instructions how to make the preparations needed. He not only tells you that a lotion of Lemon Balm is used for cold sores but how to make that lotion for yourself.  It covers everything from making your own tablets to making your own tonic wine. The emphasis here is on fresh from the garden potency.  There is a large chapter on specific ailments that is cross referenced with the plant pages. There is even a section on making an herbal first aid kit. This is the perfect book for those who want to rely on knowing the herb they are using is the correct one, and that it is fresh and organically grown.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent but not the most recent version...., December 10, 2000

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

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MEDICINAL PLANTS by Andrew Chevallier is a relatively comprehensive source of information about herbal uses for healing. This is not the most recent volume by this author, however. The 2000 version is more comprehensive and includes the most current information about research associated with herbal medicinal uses.

A less expensive and highly useful book on herbs and their uses is available from Rodale, entitled, ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HERBS. The Rodale book includes information missing from this version of Chevallier's book concerning negative effectives of herbs including accidental poisoning owing to misuse or problems with plant identification. Also, Rodale has been the the organic growing business for several decades and offers information about plant horticulture. Chevallier's book is better illustrated, and filled with many colorful photographs but relatively less text (ratio of 1:4 pages for each item).

Unlike Ody's book, THE COMPLETE MEDICAL HERBAL, the Chevallier book contains information about native American herbs such as Cimicifuga Racemosa (Squawroot, Black Cohash). THE COMPLETE BOOK OF HERBS by Leslie Bremmness does not contain the comprehensive coverage of medicinal uses, but it does provide much information about medicinal and other uses such as pot pourri and sachet making, paper making, and food preparation.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Definitive Where, When and How of Herbal Medicine, December 6, 1997

By	Deb Mason ([e-mail]) (Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews

This is a big, beautifully illustrated compilation of herbal information.I haven't found an herb yet that wasn't covered here.This book is a joy to have around. From the herbal history of the world to the practical tips for everyday ailments, preparing tinctures, decoctions and infusions, it has everything you could want. I highly recommend this book to the novice herbalist as well as the experienced. Interesting, easy to read, buy this book!