HERBAL

Few areas of contemporary life remain untouched by the beneficial use of herbs. Combining the expertise of well-known herbalist Deni Brown and London's Chelsea Physic Garden, Herbal is a guide to the 150 most important herbs in use today, presented as an A-Z, with the traditional Latin names complemented by the more accessible current or colloquial tags. With a foreword by Sue Minter, curator of the Chelsea Physic Garden (founded in 1673), and packed with essential facts on their cultivation and abundant medicinal, culinary and cosmetic, Herbal provides an intimate portrait of the histories and mysteries of each of these 150 herbs. In addition, Deni Bown explores, through sixteen special thematic features, traditional and contemporary uses for an even wider array of herbs grouped together as herbal relaxants, stimulants, aphrodisiacs, colourings, salads, tonics and more. Herbal is rich with images and anecdotes that bring each herb to life. Gloriously illustrated with photographs specially commissioned from the author and with botanical plates, many taken from the Chelsea Physic Garden's own historic herbals, this is a source book for mind, body and soul, as well as a guide for those who would like to cultivate their own herb garden. It will appeal to the expert and to the novice, and to all who appreciate the natural beauty of herbs.

Review :
Acclaimed herbalist Deni Bown has joined forces with that hidden haven of scented tranquillity, the Chelsea Physic Garden, to produce this impressive work on herbs. Founded in 1673, the Chelsea Physic Garden was created to teach apothecaries the ways of herbal medicines and it has survived through the centuries to become today a garden of world medicine, welcoming scientists and horticulturalists as well as the general public. Growing hundreds of varieties, many of Deni's photographs were taken here. Once handed down from parent to child, the lore of these herbal plants and their powers has been perpetuated, especially by the books published in the 1600 and 1700s such as the famous Gerard's "Herbal", and they are now of increased importance in today's climate of natural healing. Deni looks at 150 of these herbs in detail, giving portraits, history, uses and gardening notes for each, accompanied by either one of her own photographs or a botanical illustration from one of the many ancient herbals held by the Chelsea Physic Garden. Interspersed between these profiles are two-page thematic spreads on subjects such as poisonous plants, relaxants and stimulants amongst others. A fascinating, gloriously illustrated reference book, filled with anecdotes and the facts behind herbs occasionally peculiar common names. Medicinal information from days long ago still has a relevance today with herbs such as arnica and garlic popular alternative remedies. It is a history of plants that have been important to mankind from earliest history and whose mutual evolution with ourselves still benefits the human race today.