Wouldn't it be nice if someone boiled down all the magic and mystery of herbal medicine making into one tidy little book? Something manageable, something you would actually use? Oh, wait they did! It's right here.
The nice thing about Holly's book is that she focuses on thirteen basic herbs that she calls the essential herbs.
Recipes are arranged by person, which I like. If you don't have kids, skip the "For Infant and Child" section and move right on to "Especially for Men," or "Especially for Women." There's also a recipe section for new and expecting moms, several chapters on types of ailments that affects everyone (Sniffles, Wounds, Tummy Aches, Cleansing and Detox, and more). My favorite part is the section called "Recipes for Herbal Delights." Delightful sounding, no? Here's where all the delicious skin and body care treatments are found, plus some yummy and healthy edible recipes for drinks, dressings and other treats.
There are wonderful tips woven throughout the book. I often don't want the whole treatise on a subject, just a quick sidenote is enough. They're helpful bits that support the text without weighing it down. She manages to pack a whole lot of information into what is still a very readable book. I wish I had started it a little earlier in the season. It's the perfect book to get you through those last gray weeks of winter while waiting for spring. But now that spring is here, I'll keep it by my side to help me plan my garden and figure out what to make with all my healing herbs!
PS Speaking of making things, I'm making deodorant this week! I have a favorite brand that I always use, but I'm finally going to try making it myself!
