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The Encyclopedia of Herbs revises A. O. Tucker and T. DeBaggio's The Big Book of Herbs (2000), profiling more than 150 herbs commonly grown. Herb profiles, arranged alphabetically by genus, describe plant characteristics, identification, geographic distribution, culinary uses, and historic information such as derivation of plant names and how various cultures have used the herbs. Some medicinal information is included, along with the chemistry of important ingredients and safety guidelines for consumption. Comparisons of species or cultivars reveal some variations in the composition of chemical compounds. The work is strong on growing, cultivation, harvesting, and preservation information, but the treatment of individual herbs is inconsistent and the uses for herbs are not always clear. Nine introductory chapters detail the intricacies of herb propagation and cultivation, flavor and fragrance attributes, taste, toxicity, the FDA's "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) status, and the chemistry of plant compounds. Thousands of references to reviews and research papers support these chapters and the herb profiles. This work will serve as an excellent reference tool and guide to herb growing. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-level undergraduates through professionals/practitioners; general readers. T. McKimmie New Mexico State University |
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This is the second edition of the Big Book of Herbs (Interweave Press, 2000), which received an award for Excellence in Herbal Literature from the Herb Society of America. The new edition has the same format and text but with some additions and updates. Each of the 500 profiles provides information on growing, identifying, harvesting, and preserving herbs. The entries also give the history of the plant and its uses in landscapes, cooking, and crafts. The majority of entries are accompanied by line drawings of the herb. There are also detailed chapters on herb cultivation, propagation, and growing conditions. About 20 percent of the volume contains selected references, a number of which have been updated for this edition. The encyclopedia is definitely a scholarly reference source for botanists, but it will also be of interest to the weekend gardener. A recommended purchase for horticulture collections and especially libraries that do not own the first edition.--Bulson, Christine Copyright 2010 Booklist |