National Geographic Guide to Medicinal Herbs: The World's Most Effective Healing Plants Hardcover – Illustrated, March 6, 2012

Before buying this book I during many days was speculating between buying this book or the DK Natural Health Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicinal, in which we are getting a more complete international historical telling about the Herbs. But by looking more after science informations I think that I have been buying the right book by choosing the “Guide to Medical Herbs”.In any case I like the way the content of the book is divided. That is especially that besides the 4 sides we get about each of these 72 Herbs, which are sorted in groups after some group informations, then last in the book we have a Plant Index, containing recognition drawings, their names, and the side number for each of the plants. But especially on the side 352 starts the “Index of Therapeutic Uses”, which begins with the Acne and 9 sides later are ending with the Wounds, and there by helping us in finding which Herbs, and additional Herbs, and on which sides, that are related to these conditions. And furthermore we also back in the book are having a 5 sides Glossary.But concerning each of the 72 Herbs, we besides for each a 1 side picture are getting the same informations for each of them, among other for example, their dimension, which climate they like, when they were discovered and so on. And to me, a few of them which I knew by name, showed up being quit opposite in dimension than what I was expecting, that is either being extremely high, or extremely low. But especially in the last chapter with Herbs, the “Wellness and Perception”, I discovered particular many interesting Herbs, between the 9 in this chapter, and many of these first lately discovered by the western culture. For example Stevia, first available as a sweetener in USA since 2008, being up to 250 times as sweet as Sugar, and no problems or calories. The Rhodiola, used by the Vikings to combat fatigue, and now again studied by Russia and Scandinavia, and showing good results. Or the Schisandra, which already was used in China 5,000 years ago, and in the 1940s and 1950s the Russian researchers was so impressed, after research, that they started using it among other for the liver and kidneys.Today I was visiting a doctor, in quite a different case. When I told that I just had finished reading a book about Herbs he answered: “Never use Herbs!” Strange words, in any case being quite opposite to my thinking, as I highly would prefer first to look at the possibilities in Vitamins, Minerals, or Herbs, before starting on Drugs.

Very informative, good photos and covers a wide variety of plants and techniques.

It's been super useful and educational!

This is a great book if you are interested in making your own medicine. Written by a Dr. and a herbalist.

This book has a lot of the common herbs that popular in herbal medicine. I wish it had some more wildflower or medicinal weeds, like dead nettle or prickly ash. Overall, great book to get to learn some stuff about herbs and how to identify them. IF YOU ARE UNSURE OF AN HERB, DO NOT CONSUME OR USE WITHOUT PROPER IDENTIFICATION, EXTRACTION METHODS, OR CURING PROCESSES.

I liked the presentation of information including history of each herb. Applications were clear, and instructions for preparation and basic use of each herb were given. Loved the illustrations. A great gift for beginner herbalists and a solid guide for those of us interested in expanding our knowledge of the medicinal applications of many common herbs.

EXCELLENT quick guide to important herbs. Very readable, with very nice pictures. This is not a detailed-review kind of book. It's more like a quick illustrated overview of the major herbs, what they are used for, and their potential drawbacks. If you want a good introductory book on herbal medicines, this is a very good place to start. Please remember, this is ONLY the beginning. There is much more to know about every plant, herb and tree in the book. But National Geo did a very nice job with this book!!

I purchased this book along with the National Geographic Desk Reference. I am an herbalist and I have many books on the subject. This book does not disappoint and I wouldn't expect less from National Geographic. Great reference and beautiful photos!