Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants

A less expensive and highly useful book on herbs and their uses is available from Rodale, entitled, ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HERBS. The Rodale book includes information missing from this version of Chevallier's book concerning negative effectives of herbs including accidental poisoning owing to misuse or problems with plant identification. Also, Rodale has been the the organic growing business for several decades and offers information about plant horticulture. Chevallier's book is better illustrated, and filled with many colorful photographs but relatively less text (ratio of 1:4 pages for each item).

Unlike Ody's book, THE COMPLETE MEDICAL HERBAL, the Chevallier book contains information about native American herbs such as Cimicifuga Racemosa (Squawroot, Black Cohash). THE COMPLETE BOOK OF HERBS by Leslie Bremmness does not contain the comprehensive coverage of medicinal uses, but it does provide much information about medicinal and other uses such as pot pourri and sachet making, paper making, and food preparation.


Best Source there is for medicinal plant information!!   October 14, 2000
 2 out of 4 found this review helpful

From its detailed descriptions of almost all medicinal plants, to its step by step instructions for different preparations, this book has it all!! It tells you where the plant is from even the history behind todays uses. If your interested in healing with plants... this book is for you!