Pocket Encyclopaedia of Herbs (DK Pocket Encyclopedia): Amazon.co.uk: Lesley Bremness: Books

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Product Description

A mini-reference book on herb growing providing step-by step instructions for every technique. Included are key hints and tips, charts, directories and diagrams.

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Customer Reviews

2 Reviews

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Average Customer Review

4.5 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Multum in parvo, or a Tardis of herbalism, 11 Jan 2011

By

Peasant (Deepest England) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Pocket Encyclopaedia of Herbs (DK Pocket Encyclopedia) (Paperback)

Such a small book that one would expect it to be trivial and slight; instead it is packed with splendid stuff which will be useful as a ready reference to the expert enthusiast as well as the beginner.

The first section is an alphabetical guide by Latin name; the common names are given prominently and any difficulty in finding what you want is covered by a comprehensive index. Each plant is illustrated with "cut-out" photos against a white background, with accompanying description, reminiscent of botanical illustrations. Dried leaves, seeds and roots are shown as well as the living plant. A snippet of history is given and a textbox adds the uses.

This takes up about 40% of the book. There follows a chapter on Cooking With Herbs with a selection of varied recipes, well laid out and illustrated with some good photos. The recipes are out of the usual and feature the herbs as a main flavouring, for example "Tagliatelli with marigold sauce aurore" and "Gooseberry and elderflower cream".

"Herbs in the Home" comes next with fresh and dried arrangements, "tussie mussies" (scented posies), wreaths, garlands, pot pourri, and such miscellania as herb pillows, furniture polishes and ways of repelling pests. "Herbs for beauty" has skin creams and lotions, herb baths, face packs and hair care as well as recipes for mouthwash, and so on.

"Herbs for health" has an introductory section on preparing herbal medicines, followed by a modest A-Z of treatments arranged by the disorder or illness. This section has been edited with care and an eye to safety; it is intended to be used by the untrained and there is nothing here to frighten the horses. I have tried several of the remedies and found them useful.

The last section covers growing herbs, and opens with an alphabetical guide to cultivation, arranged again by Latin name. A very brief description of soil preparation, growing from seeds and cuttings, herbs in containers and so on is well-written if compact. Finally harvesting, preserving and storing herbs get a page or so each.

This is a POCKET encyclopaedia and one cannot ask for everything in 238 fairly small pages. However the clear layout, well-edited text and good use of illustrations means it acheives a remarkable amount. If you aren't amassing a library of herbal books, and want just one to use on a daily basis, this is the best I've seen.

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5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars growing out of your ears, 30 April 2006

By

gabrial "radzradz" (oxford) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pocket Encyclopaedia of Herbs (DK Pocket Encyclopedia) (Paperback)

This is splendidly illustrated book of every herb you might dream of. The remarks on each are pertinent and I could hardly imagine more colourful artwork. A word of warning though; the slant is very much to the 'medical' ; less about cooking than some might want and certainly not enough about growing conditions for gardeners. There is a little too much of the 'may alleviate certain forms of cancer' for the liking of some and slightly too little botany. But any book that teaches one that alfalfa was given to Arab horses as they saw it gave them a fillip or finally sorts out which mint is which should be on any shelf; be it kitchen or bathroom.
First rate though.

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Amazon.com: 5.0 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The ONE book to own if you're at all interested in herbs, 2 May 2000

By Ana Hotaling "saotomeranchan" - Published on Amazon.com

This review is from: Herbs (RD Home Handbooks) (Paperback)

If you are curious about growing herbs, or already grow herbs and are interested in expanding your garden or your knowledge about these plants, this is the ONE book to buy. Gorgeous color photographs identify each herb (dozens upon dozens are listed) in its seed, flowering, and leafy stages -- popular varieties of herbs are included as well. Herbs are also listed accourding to use -- culinary, cosmetic, medicinal, decorative. Also included are step-by-step instructions for infusions, decoctions, and other herbal recipes. This book may not show you how to landscape your garden (try American Horticultural's Herb Gardens book) but aside from this, this will be your herb Bible.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good field guide style herb book, 20 Aug 2001

By Mark E. Miller - Published on Amazon.com

This review is from: Herbs (RD Home Handbooks) (Paperback)

This well-produced book has lots of small illustrations reminiscent of a field guide. It includes lots of varieties for each herb type - 17 kinds of thyme, for instance. Not very much detail on medicinal uses, and you won't find really exotic species like gotu kola. It is a small book, and packs in lots of information for its size. Information on cultivation is condensed but adequate.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific overview of herb descriptions, history, and uses!, 3 Jan 1998

By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com

This review is from: Herbs (RD Home Handbooks) (Paperback)

From cultivating and harvesting to remedies and recipes, this book has virtually everything you need to know about herbs. The historical background of each herb is given, listing genus, species, and family. Important information is provided with detailed full-color photographs of herb plants and plant parts, listing their decorative, culinary, household, cosmetic, aromatic, and medicinal uses. Indexed by common and botanical names as well as by ailment and other relevant terms, this book is useful and easy to use for novice or expert. Learn to make your own potpourri or beauty products. Grow your own garden with advice from the section on the A-Z of Cultivation. Find out more about cooking with herbs. It's all in "Herbs."

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