The Complete Illustrated Guide to Herbs

by Non Shaw

Herbalism—the use of plants for healing—is one of the oldest and most widespread medical therapies. Each day, more and more people are looking to treat their ailments or chronic conditions with safe and natural methods.

Fully illustrated with step-by-step color photography showing how to make simple herbal preparations, The Complete Illustrated Guide to Herbs makes it easy for anyone to practice herbalism safely and effectively in their home. It covers:

History of herbal medicines across many cultures and traditions Step-by-step information on how to make all forms of herbal preparations Detailed Materia Medica of the most useful herbs for home treatment Recipes and advice on using herbs in all areas of life The treatment of common ailments in a comprehensive reference section

Genres: Reference, Paganism

288 pages, Paperback

First published November 25, 2010

Reviews

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The last section describing the uses of plants and their properties is good but I personally disagree with some of the stuff said in this book

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful little book! I found this in a discount bin at Barnes & Noble and grabbed it on an impulse. Non Shaw gives a succinct introduction to herbalism and its history in various cultures, along with various herbalist theories. Not being particularly versed in herbalism’s history, this was all new to me, and I found it accessible and inviting. The sections on the chemical components of herbs and tips on growing, gathering, maintaining, and preparing herbs for use are detailed and incredibly useful. I’m particularly excited to try making my own infused oils. After the introductory sections, individual herbs are highlighted. The various parts of the plant are examined for their unique applications, and Shaw explains how and why it has beneficial effects. I think I’ll be referring to this regularly for the next few months.