Thursday, January 19, 2012

An Herbal Adventure - Garden Book Review


Since one of my new year's resolutions is to foster good health, I have been reading some herbal books that I have on the shelf. One book, in particular, is a book I have had for many years. It is an illustrated guide to herbs that includes herbal gardening and cooking but also includes medicinal uses for herbs as well as some beauty treatments, such as facial masks. I refer to it often for one or more of these purposes.

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Title:  The Herb Book

Authors: Arabella Boxer & Philippa Back

Published in 1985 by Peerage Books (This book was first published in Great Britain in 1980 by Octopus Books Limited.)
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There are many reasons I find this book so helpful and informative. Having the illustrations and photographs of herbs has helped me over the years identify herbs with which I may not have been familiar. The authors break down the herbs into sections with detailed information about each. For instance, they list the botanical family and name of each herb.


A section, The Herb Garden, details various ways of planting herbs from a rock garden to a strawberry jar to planting herbs in troughs on a balcony. Herbs for a kitchen garden or a medicinal garden are listed. The book offers step-by-step instructions for preparing the site for the herb garden and planting from seed or purchased plants. On page 34, this book describes methods of harvesting and preserving herbs.


Horehound and coltsfoot teas were very helpful during my bout with bronchitis. In the medicinal section, these herbs are mentioned as helpful for coughs on page 62. Teas and infusion recipes are given for various ailments.

The recipes are delicious and specifically offer cooking ideas for various herbs--some of which I may have not considered in dishes. Recipes are near the end of the book that include sauces, soups, drinks, and meat and fish dishes. Measurements are given in metric and American measurements. One of my favorites is basil oil.



Basil Oil (from The Herb Book)

1/4 cup chopped basil
2 cups olive oil

Pound the basil briefly in a mortar. Add a little of the oil and pound again. Mix with the rest of the oil and pour into a wide-mouthed bottle. Seal tightly. Keep for 2 weeks before using, shaking every 2 or 3 days. Do not strain. This is a useful way of preserving the fresh basil flavour, especially for those who do not use much vinegar. It is good in salad dressings, or for adding to pizzas just before baking.

This is an old book and may not be found easily. However, I found an updated used version available for sale through Amazon.

I am joining Roses and Other Gardening Joys for this month's Garden Book Review.

Roses and Other Gardening Joys

© copyright 2012 Michelle A. Potter

32 comments:

  1. This book is right up my alley! And, I love when books have lots of photos too!

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  2. I am huge into herbs and using them for my health...i will be looking for a copy of this asap...thx Michelle

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  3. Oooo, I'm going to look for this. I have an herb book but it's not nearly as detailed as yours. Thanks

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  4. Oh great book rec! I tried making my own rosemary olive oil, but I'd love to have a collection of actual recipes and herb preservation tips. Thanks!

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  5. Thank you so much for joining me! This book sounds very informative. My husband uses some herbs for different maladies. I should think about growing them for him, and others for baking. I appreciate your review on this book - it sounds like a great one to have on the shelves, and that it would be pulled out often for reference.

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  6. The book must be lovely. I always love to use fresh herbs out of my garden. The oil recepy is great.
    Have a nice weekend
    Marijke

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  7. Sounds like a great book. I also have a wonderful herb book that's as beautiful as it is useful. Thanks for the basil oil recipe. :o)

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  8. Sounds like a great book! I love to grow a number of herbs, but I confess I don't know what to do with them! A book like this would be very helpful.

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  9. Dear Michelle, I have an extensive library of gardening books, but reading your review I realize I don't have one devoted to herbs. I will do something about this omission, starting with the beautiful book you recommend. Pam x

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  10. Thanx for sharing this wonderful book :)

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  11. Hi, I followed your book link from Holley's blog. In the last year, I've gotten more interested in growing herbs and making my own herbal creations. Am always looking for good herbal reference books. Thanks for the review - I'll have to check this one out!

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  12. It's nice to have these old books which become good companions on life's path. My problem is I have too many...I can't resist when I see another one I don't have especially if it's a second-hand bargain.

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  13. @Indrani it is interesting, and I find it so helpful.

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  14. @Karin / Southern Meadows Me, too, Karin. In those photos I can see so much to reference.

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  15. @Donna@Gardens Eye View Although this one is not strictly devoted to medicinal uses, I like having all the other info as well.

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  16. @Adele Many of my other herb books are not as illustrated and detailed as this either...it is a good reference.

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  17. @HolleyGarden Holley, this has been much fun...to read about all the books others have recommended.

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  18. @marijke It seems each herb book offers something different, but this one has so much to offer in one book.

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  19. @Casa Mariposa I have had to curb my compulsion to buy more herb books...too many I have...

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  20. @debsgarden Herbs are so attractive in the landscape....I would probably grow them no matter what.

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  21. @Pam's English Garden It is a good one to have...comprehensive. No matter how many books I have, there is always another I need.

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  22. @charlie b. I hope you are able to find it. The link showed several available.

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  23. This would be a great book for any gardener's library. While I grow a few herbs, I have never tried making teas. Last year I grew chamomile but then heard of possible allergic reactions so I never followed through with making tea!

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  24. Sounds like a great read! I actually just got an herb book for Christmas, and have had so much fun reading about herb medicinal uses and such. It doesn't sound nearly as in depth as your book though! That's awesome that it gives recipes!

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  25. @dorothy I have heard that chamomile causes allergic reactions in some people. I guess it is a matter of experimenting.

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  26. @Indie Your book sounds interesting, too. I love herb books.

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  27. How lovely to see an old friend - I have relied on this book too!

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