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The Herb Book Paperback – July 1, 1983

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 659 ratings

Soothe your nerves, cure your cough, color your fabrics, perfume your bath, stimulate your lover, spice your sauces, stop your nightmares, freshen your breath -- with herbs... The most complete catalog of nature's "miracle plants" ever published.
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Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Soothe your nerves, cure your cough, color your fabrics, perfume your bath, stimulate your lover, spice your sauces, stop your nightmares, freshen your breath -- with herbs... The most complete catalog of nature's "miracle plants" ever published.

From the Inside Flap

nerves, cure your cough, color your fabrics, perfume your bath, stimulate your lover, spice your sauces, stop your nightmares, freshen your breath -- with herbs... The most complete catalog of nature's "miracle plants" ever published.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bantam (July 1, 1983)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 688 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0553267701
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0553267709
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.25 x 1.25 x 7 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 659 ratings

About the author

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John B. Lust
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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
659 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the information in the book invaluable, comprehensive, and helpful as a reference in herbal remedies. They also say the print is crisp, easy to read, and plain English. Readers appreciate the simple drawings of leaves, flowers, and stems for easy identification of plants. Opinions are mixed on the sturdiness, with some finding it excellent and reliable, while others say it's disappointing and outdated.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

78 customers mention "Information quality"78 positive0 negative

Customers find the information in the book invaluable and helpful as a reference for herbal remedies. They say it covers interesting topics such as the legend and lore behind some of the herbs. Readers also appreciate the illustrations for almost every herb mentioned within the book. In addition, they mention it goes at the subject from different approaches and has sections about health issues.

"...The book is the most thorough and easily accessible compendium of herbs I have found in the 50 years I have been taking herbal remedies." Read more

"...Part III is a very nice touch. It covers some interesting topics such as:- the legend and lore behind some of the plants- scents-..." Read more

"...It covers not just medicinal uses, but culinary, fragrance, craft, dyes, - and also has a section on basic botony, cross references for common and..." Read more

"It's a lot, but very helpful as a reference in herbal remedies. Highly recommend!" Read more

7 customers mention "Ease of reading"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read. They appreciate the wonderful descriptions and history.

"...and on much better paper - which means the print is crisp and easy to read...." Read more

"...There are line drawings of all the herbs he covers as well as easy to read info that isn't "dumbed down"...." Read more

"...The author's writing style is very easy to understand. This contributes to the usefulness of the book...." Read more

"...a new one, and the print is so much larger than my old one and easier to read. So glad I got this new one!" Read more

6 customers mention "Illustrations"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the illustrations in the book pleasing to the eye. They appreciate the simple drawings of leaves, flowers, and stems for easy identification of plants. Readers also mention the book doesn't have color pictures but has good pictures of plants.

"...There are line drawings of all the herbs he covers as well as easy to read info that isn't "dumbed down"...." Read more

"...Gives pen & ink drawings of leaves and flowers and stems for easy identification of plants...." Read more

"...very complete guide, illustrations for almost every herb mentioned within...." Read more

"great book ,no color pictures but good. pictures of plants. many things you can look up with this book." Read more

5 customers mention "Eye appeal"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book pleasing to the eye. They appreciate the simple drawings and say it has a nice touch.

"...Part III is a very nice touch. It covers some interesting topics such as:- the legend and lore behind some of the plants- scents-..." Read more

"...Nice, simple, well-organized book. A useful addition to your home-remedy library." Read more

"...The book itself is pleasing to the eye, I like the simple drawings. (old fashioned)" Read more

"Beautifully done...." Read more

10 customers mention "Sturdiness"6 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the sturdiness of the book. Some mention it's still in excellent condition, while others say it arrived in disappointing quality.

"...My copy was signed by the author in 1974 - and it's still in excellent condition, while all of my paperback copies are yellowed and brittle, falling..." Read more

"...Despite the disappointing quality it arrived in, this is a great reference book...." Read more

"...He was so happy to receive it and it practically looks brand new. Thank you so much! <3" Read more

"...the pages have turned light amber and are brittle...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2024
thrilled to get another copy of this book and glad they reprinted it unabridged. I had a copy that was stolen in the 80s and got another second hand copy to replace that one, finding that it was not in print anymore. The dog chewed (pup) my second copy up four days ago and I was upset, but thrilled to find that it had been reprinted. The book is the most thorough and easily accessible compendium of herbs I have found in the 50 years I have been taking herbal remedies.
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2010
My book came creased at the binding (as if someone flipped through it already) and looking slightly used already with creased cover etc. I'm a bit disappointed because this is the first time I got something 'sold by amazon' that is not the quality it's suppose to be in (new). Also the price on the back of the book is $8.95... I paid $9.95. I'm not going to send it back despite all this because it's too much hassle, and I guess it would eventually get worn like this as I use it anyway. :(

Despite the disappointing quality it arrived in, this is a great reference book. To give you a general idea, here's a brief overview of the contents.

Part I consists of:
- an intro to plants and plant names
- a glossary of botanical terms
- brief section on growing or gathering an keeping herbs
- brief descriptions of how to use herbs (making tinctures, syrups etc.)
- a nice index of medicinal effects and herbs that give those effects
- herbs listed according to organs and body conditions.

Part II consists of the plants and descriptions along with nice simple line drawings.

Part III is a very nice touch. It covers some interesting topics such as:
- the legend and lore behind some of the plants
- scents
- dyes in plants (with a cool chart of what plants create what color to dye cloths, mostly wool)
- plants for drinking (herbal teas, juices, alcoholic beverages)
- a section on diet, briefly describing some key minerals and vitamins and what plants contain them
- natural cosmetics (geranium leaves for cleansing oily skin?)
- a few recipes
- plants and astrology
- other cool bits of info.
It feels almost like a farmer's almanac but with only plant related wisdom.

If your interested in herbs in any way, get this.
19 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2017
I've had 4-5 copies of the paperback, but this hard copy is absolutely superb. The hardback is larger, and on much better paper - which means the print is crisp and easy to read. My copy was signed by the author in 1974 - and it's still in excellent condition, while all of my paperback copies are yellowed and brittle, falling apart. If you're looking for the best all-around herbal reference book, get the hard copy issue of "The Herb Book" - it's the best you will find. (I've got more than 40 herbal reference books and this is the best!)

It covers not just medicinal uses, but culinary, fragrance, craft, dyes, - and also has a section on basic botony, cross references for common and latin name, and much more.
23 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2023
It's a lot, but very helpful as a reference in herbal remedies. Highly recommend!
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2024
This was a very comprehensive book. I did not keep it because I needed less info for my use.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2012
This is the very first Herb Book I ever had. I got it years ago, right after it was published and it was such a great starting point for the herbal knowledge I was looking for. The book finally fell apart from all the use it got and after not being able to tape it together anymore I broke down and bought a new one.

In addition it has been my "go-to" book about herbs and natural healing when the other books just didn't have what I was looking for. There are line drawings of all the herbs he covers as well as easy to read info that isn't "dumbed down". He also covers mythology of herbs, folklore, fabric dyeing and many other subjects. I highly recommend this book!
4 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2010
Since everyone in the world is being affected by the negative information put out by the various medias, it is important to give people positive information. Because few people would make money advertising fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs, nuts, legumes and whole grains, there is not the same tantalizing ads, on TV and the other medias, that junk foods have. I bought this book because I always have been concerned with the health of my son and his family because of their unhealthy eating habits. This book has so much positive information in it. I sent the book to them yesterday. Hopefully, they will take advantage of the massive amount of healthy and informative information in it. it's been around for many years because it is such a good book. It's a classic.
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2012
This book includes a 333 page section with detailed listings of about 2000 herbs, their uses, where they grow, etc. It also includes a history of herb study and use, a glossary of botanical terms, how to grow and dry and store herbs, how to prepare herbs for medicinal use, tea recipes, dying information. There is so much useful information in this book, anyone is sure to find what they need.

The author's writing style is very easy to understand. This contributes to the usefulness of the book. If the information is difficult to understand then it is useless. This is not the case with this book. The information is presented in an easy to use format.

This Book is one of the best of my collection.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Jan
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Gift & to give those learning to cook❣️
Reviewed in Canada on August 28, 2024
Nana, being a brilliant cook, gifted 2 of these to aid her ‘20something’ Grandchildren to enjoy & learn cooking❣️
Julian Bublitz
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in Australia on August 15, 2020
Very comprehensive summary of herbs and plants. Inspiring to discover the real benefits the nature around us helds.
Robin Roper
5.0 out of 5 stars An Evergreen Classic Herbal
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 11, 2015
This is not a new book - I bought my first copy in the 1970s, lost it in the 1980s and was delighted to find a later edition through Amazon in 2015. With updated editions, it remains one of the most comprehensive and informative publications on the identification, collection, storage and use of medicinal, culinary and dye-craft herbs. It describes the properties, characteristics and active components of each plant, along with illustrations, tables and lists that help bring ancient herb lore and wisdom up to date with a practical overview relevant to modern day needs. Highly recommended for the budding herbalist and the established practitioner alike.
Mmaauuddee
4.0 out of 5 stars excellent
Reviewed in France on March 1, 2015
Bon livre, complet dans l'utilisation. il manquerait éventuellement une partie dédiée à la culture pour chaque plante. néanmoins excellent support.
Merlot
5.0 out of 5 stars Packed full of detail!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 29, 2020
I first bought a copy of this book in the 1970's. Whilst not the 'prettiest' of books, there is a huge amount of valuable detail in the descriptions. This copy is a gift and I hope the recipient will enjoy it as much as I have over the years