Remedies and Recipes, Regional Traditions, Illustrated Herbal Directory.
In an accessible text, with an abundance of practical examples and useful recipes, 'Healing Herbs' explores the many different ways in which we use plants to heal our bodies and our minds - from isolating particular chemicals that combat illnesses to planning herb gardens and herbariums for their calming and therapeutic effects.
The emphasis throughout is on the practical uses of herbs - their cultivation, functions and applications - as well as on their symbolic and cultural significance, and the roles they play in a vast spectrum of traditions and beliefs. The changing patterns of plant use throughout history are also reviewed.
The heart of the book is a richly illustrated portfolio of plants of European origin, many of which have medicinal uses throughout the world. Other chapters explore a wide range of subjects including Chinese and Ayurvedic healing; the herbal traditions of Africa, North, South, and Central America, Oceania and Australia; and the cultural context of hallucinogenic plants and their use in ritual.
A highly practical final chapter includes herb-based medicinal recipes, describes how we can cultivate, collect, and prepare herbs, and also explores their use in aromatherapy, perfumes and cosmetics.
A documentary reference section at the back of the book includes a regional gazetteer which summarises the role of plants in mythology and folklore across the world.
