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From: redsonja@olias.linet.org (Red Sonja)
Subject: Re: Herbal Questions
Date: 5 Jul 93 02:22:33 GMT

Over here right next to the chamomile and the cinquefoil! Jaguar is
right, don't start messing with herbs until you have read a broad
variety of books on the subject. If you're interested in the magical
uses of herbs a good book is:

The Master Book of Herbalism
Paul Beyerl
Phoenix Publishing Co, Custer WA, 1984
ISBN# 0-919345-53-0 (softcover)

If you want to explore various other uses of herbs, a good book to
check out is:

The New Age Herbalist
Richard Mabey
Coller Books/MacMillan Publishing Co, NY NY 1988
ISBN# 0-02-063350-5 (softcover)

Do not let the title fool you, this is actually a useful book which
explains how to make infusions, decoctions, essential oils, shampoos &
soaps, various foods, and even has a chapter on the uses of herbs in
dyeing. There is also a section on homeopathic medicine.

Culpeper's is a classic, but get a relatively recent printing. Mine
is:

Culpeper's Color Herbal
Sterling Publishing Co, NY 1983
ISBN# 0-8069-7690-X (softcover)

This has the herbs listed alphabetically, in color of course, and each
herb has both Culpeper's original observations and the modern uses of
the herb in medicine. Often this varies; things thought to be a tonic
in the Middle Ages have by today been identified as poisonous. This is
the most important reason for getting a recent printing.

Finally, get yourself a decent field guide. (I finally found
one...alas, it is beyond my means at the moment so I can't print the
information). Field guides take great pains to identify poisonous
plants in detail.

Obherb: My (Xian!) sister is suffering from various maladies this
evening: allergies which appear to be turning into a sinus infection,
and a two-year old little girl who "Loves to say No, No, No"! The poor
woman hasn't gotten any sleep in days; she also has quit smoking cold
turkey. I whipped her up a tea of the following: yarrow, chamomile,
catnip, teeny pinch o' valerian, majoram and peppermint for flavor and
7 cubes of brown sugar. She actually welcomed the tea, and this has
got to be the acheivement of the year. Not only is she Xian, she's
also a doctor's wife!!

-- 
From: ksm@abb-sc.abb-sc.com (Ashley)
Date: 8 Jul 93 00:16:57 GMT

redsonja@olias.linet.org (Red Sonja) writes...
> If you're interested in the magical uses of herbs a good book is:
>The Master Book of Herbalism
>Paul Beyerl
>Phoenix Publishing Co, Custer WA, 1984
>ISBN# 0-919345-53-0 (softcover)

	So you like this one? Hmm, I found it kind of hard to use
compared to Jeannie Rose's _Herbs and Things_ and Cunningham's
Encylopedia of Magickal Herbs. Those are my two favorites, one for
medicinal, the other for "other".  Of course, I guess I'm biased. I
picked up _Herbs and Things_ years ago and it's like a favorite well
worn in pair of jeans to me now...
===

From: hbates@milori.ccit.arizona.edu
Date: 9 Jul 1993 17:56:50 GMT

rikibeth@argyll.enigma1.com (Riki Beth Stein) writes:
> redsonja@olias.linet.org (Red Sonja) writes:
>> a tea of the following: yarrow, chamomile, catnip, teeny pinch o' valerian,
>> majoram and peppermint for flavor and 7 cubes of brown sugar. She actually
>> welcomed the tea, and this has got to be the acheivement of the year. Not
>> only is she Xian, she's also a doctor's wife!!
> 
> It'd probably take the full 7 cubes to hide the taste of that teeny
> pinch o' valerian... that stuff is NASTY.  I used to pack it into empty
> gelatin capsules so I wouldn't have to taste it.

I know this is a little late, but I know a while back someone asked
about books for herbs.  I have one called Rodale's (I'm pretty sure
that is the name) Herb Encyclopedia.  It is a really good book.  It
list descriptions of different plants, medicinal and cuilinary uses,
as well as saftey levels.  Oh, it also has pictures and drawings.
===

From: Amy Smith 
Subject: Re: Herbal Questions
Date: 13 Jul 1993 20:57:09 GMT

redsonja@olias.linet.org (Red Sonja)
I found Jeannie Rose's book offensive to women. She seems pretty fat
negative. I also didn't find the information in the book very
trustworthy. It seemed to conflict with the serious herbals I also
refer to.

Rodale's Encyclopedia of Herbs (mentioned elsewhere) is an excellent
reference put out the the publishers of Organic Gardening Magazine.  I
liked Beryl's book also, but haven't seen cunningham's so I don't have
a basis of reference. I just use Starhawks (Spiral Dance) and
Z. Budapest (Holy book of women's mysteries) for my magikal herbal
references usually. I strongly recommend Billie Pott's book (Witches
Heal) for medicinal uses of herbs. It is small and low cost but is
absolutely dependable, has a whole body outlook that is nice. Actually
tells how to make the teas, tissanes, tinctures, etc. And I like
her. It also is overwhelming to look through the "encyclopedia"s They
tend to have more than anyone would need if they are serious about
supporting themselves herbally. The other issue is that most of the
encyclopedias (Rodales is an exception) focus on European
herbs. Billie Potts is from Upstate NY, near me, making it more useful
for all that it has fewer plants.  Good luck on your browsing!
Smiles, Amy
===

From: greylady@artemis (Elizabeth Ditchburn)
Date: 14 Jul 1993 20:37:00 GMT

I'd like to second this recommendation of Witches Heal.  It's highly
readable, dependable, and practical.  It also contains some good
information about monitoring your own health, and some necessary
cautions about dangers of using herbs.  I've found it much more useful
than the larger, more scientific looking books.

Blessings,
Elizabeth
===

Newsgroups: rec.gardens
From: Moira_Carlson@mindlink.bc.ca (Moira Carlson)
Subject: ISO a good book on herbs
Date: Mon, 2 Aug 1993 19:02:20 GMT

In response to Robin: auer@stsci.edu who writes:
> I am looking for any suggestions on a good book or two to buy on
> Herbs.  Something with tips on growing, drying, uses for herbs in
> cooking, and tips for making potpourri.  Is there one book out there
> that covers all this or will I have to buy several books?

You will probably want several books.  I haven't come across one book
that I would consider really excellent on all the topics you mention
in your posting. If I had to choose only one book, I guess my choice
would be: "The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism", Edited by Malcolm
Stuart, Orbis Publishing, London. (Library of Congress Catalog Card
Number: 81-9750).

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