Greetings to all! As you can see I am new to this community, I must add to does look like a great one at that. I have been using herbs for only about six months now for....err...to keep it short we will just say knee problems. I feel so much better using herbs then I did taking expensive drugs.
In the past month I have had a paradigm shift that changed my whole thinking of what I thought I knew and understood. One of the outcomes of this event is that I have decided to make a huge dive into the herbal culture (culture meaning a way of life). I have a little over a year before I plan to uproot my life and transplant it halfway across the country. Once there I plan to get into a 8 month course that will help me learn all that I can about herbs and plants in general.
I do have some quick questions that I am hoping that I can get answered here though. All my questions revolve around books, both plant and herbal books, and since there are so many out there I have to options 1. buy 200 books 2. ask for help.
1) I am needing books that talk about growing herbal plants indoors. Any information about this is great but the indoors part is very important.
2) I am needing books that are just general books about growing plants of any type in doors. I have for some here that I have my eye on but what ones do you think are a MUST have?
3) I am needing books that has a large list of plants into categories that describes what effects they have on the body. (ex. Analgestic, Anorectic, Antacid, Antiboitic, Diuretic, etc.) The books can be based on "folk lore" or "scientific proof" both are ok with me.
4) I am needing a book that is a must have on Chinese Herbs. It should be in English (of course), but it should have to Chinese name of the herbs in the book too. (ex "Bai Guo Ye" which is Ginkgo biloba leaf.
5) Lastly, I am needing any books that you think are so good that anyone should have, mind you I am just talking about books that deal with things to do with plants, herbs, or the like.
Any and all help that you can give me would be great, since the I do not think the people that worked at the book stores I went to even knew what a plant was...let alone what books where good. This one guy said "Umm...this one cost uh ton so it MUST be good?!", so I walked out...lol
Thanks;
Herby
Advice needed...
Hi Herby,
An oldie, but goodie, book is "Park's Success with Herbs." It is very good about starting herbs from seeds, showing photos of seedlings and listing growing conditions, mostly out, but some indoors.
One of the best herbal books I know of is David Hoffman's, "Medical Herbalism." It is very scientific, but with a spiritual bent as well. David is highly regarded. Any of his books are must-haves, but "Medical Herbalism" is his opus.
For Chinese herbalism books, consider "Herbal Emissaries" by Steven Foster or any of the books written by Michael and Lesley Tierra.
I'm an herbalist, an herb farmer (our gardens are a certified United Plant Savers Botanical Sanctuary), herb lover, etc. There are many more books out there that are fabulous...Rosemary Gladstar's "Family Herbal" is a great one as well, from a more down-to-earth, yet still scientific basis. All the authors above are practicing herbalists. They have actually used the herbs. Beware authors who have only done research and haven't actually used anything.
Best of luck in your venture!
Thank you for your reply I was hoping to get more input form more people though, since I am planing of spending at least 400 on books real soon, I like to read, what can I say.
Herby_Canopy does it have to be books?There is soooo much information on line for your questions. Sorry I didn't respond but I thought you'd get a flood of answers. My favorite herb book is not geared for growing indoors but it gives all the light and soil conditions; cultivation; culinary and medicinal uses. It's "The Complete Book of Herbs: Practical Guide to Growing and Using Herbs" Lesley Bremness. Mine is old and hard cover but friends have it in soft cover. It's published in Canada now but was first published in Great Britian. Hope this helps. Wonderful photos as well.
For the be all and end all general book on plants I recommend "Flora" published by Firefly Books Ltd. It's so big it comes with a carrying handle and includes a CD on how to use it to search out types of plants you're interested in. Again its not geared for indoor growing but is the best source book on plants I've seen.
Sorry not much help for indoor growing but my bibles for herbs and flora in general.
I contemplated responding also however you were very narrow in your literary desires.
I have many herbal books. Unfortunately, my interests are narrow in different directions.
An example would be for me, herbs that do well in the southern climate. You specified indoors. I have little reference on that. I also have little that covers Chinese herbals.
I am afraid the books I consider "good" would not be in the league that you are searching for.... best of luck with your endeavor. pod
dahlianut:
The first book that you talked about has been on my list to buy already. I ran across it in my seaching and I sounded like it might be good. As for your second book I really love the idea that it is so big they put a handle and the thing and have to make a "book" (cd) that tells you how to use the thing...lol. I must look into that book.
Thanks
Podster:
That is alright, I did happen to notice that most of the talk in this forum deals with growing herb plants and not as much about using herb plants. I knew that that my interest would be different then a lot of people in this forum because of the topics that where discussed. It was not meaning to imply anything negative about people that did not reply, but if it sounded like that then I am sorry and should have picked my words differently.
It sounds like you're going to be attending a school on Chinese herbalism. I'll bet they have a reading list. Why not ask them for it? Then at least you would have the recommended book(s) for Chinese herbalism covered.
I haven't seen any books on growing herbs indoors.
My favorite herbalism book is James Green's The Herbal Medicine Maker's Handbook. He describes a lot of 19th-century botanical medicine methods for working with herbs. This book is out of print, but you can probably find it used.
The school I am looking into I will be learning some about Chinese herbalism but it is only a small part of it. I am just interested in Chinese herbalism, will I just would like to learn the basics for now. The school I been looking at does have a long list of recommended books, and the one that are about plants in general are not that hard to find but the ones that deal with herbology are mostly older thus harder to find.
Have you looked at abebooks.com for used books? I use them a lot for old books. I got a book being sold on Amazon for $450 for only $4.50 through abebooks.
Great idea paracelsus. I've found alot of my books at used book stores just by browsing. Some used book stores will seek out books you want if you ask them.
Thanks for the information I will look at abebooks. I always use "better world books" first, then barnsn noble. lastly amazon.
dahlianut, You got me interested in your recommendation of "Flora"! I checked online here and there and the issue put out by Firefly Books shows it to be a huge 10 X 14" book (with CD!) and is editored by Wendy Thomas. GREAT reviews and I want one! However, $149.00 (Canada) got me to look around.
The closest I found looks identical but shows a slightly different title, "Flora. A Gardener's Encyclopedia with CD Rom" and shows Sean Hogan as editor (and Timber Press as publisher). http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?inkey=62-9780881925388-0
(Their only reviewer states she loves this "2 volume set". I wonder if she considers the CD to be the second volume or wonder if this book is the original Canadian "Flora" broken into two books?)
Question I have is: The synopsis of both books are the same, both boasting 10,000 color photos, etc. I'm trying to make sure both books are the same. If you have one can you compare it and see if one is just titled different due to being in different countries (or something)?
And by the way, there is also one on Ebay right not with a buy it now price of $49.95 Not a bad price, eh?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Flora-The-Gardeners-Bible-gardening-plants-care-guide_W0QQitemZ190196318929QQihZ009QQcategoryZ378QQtrksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewItem
Any info offered will be greatly appreciated! Thanks for recommending what certainly appears to be a great source of plant info.
Shoe
This message was edited Feb 9, 2008 10:15 AM
Shoe the one I have is the Firefly Book, 2003, Publisher Gordon Cheers. I found a picture of the 2 volume set + CD(2004) on line.Definitely 2 volumes + CD. The cover is similar but not the same. It claims over 20,000 plants which is what mine has. It may just be that Timberline has re-published it in 2 volumes. LOL yes mine is the HUGE book. I call it the "tome" and it has its own table in the office to sit. Besides the CD, it has a great index and glossary. Amazon also has the 2 volume Flora for $69.97 on line now. Hope this helps.
Thanks a gazillion, dahlianut! I sure do appreciate your reply.
However, now I'm itchin' to have the "tome" (with the suitcase handle!!) like you have. (The two volume set seems to have plenty of info but just carries no clout or character like your issue does!) *grin
I'm determined to find the single volume, w/CD, and try to organize a yard sale to raise the moola for it!
Again, that sure looks like a great book! Thanks!
...and now, back to the regularly scheduled topic. Sorry to have gone astray, HerbCanopy!
And might I add, to Dahlianut and HerbCanopy...
A hearty WELCOME TO DG! Hope to see you around the site!
Shoe
you could always go online and check for degree programs for herbal medicine, naturopathy, etc and see if their required reading list is available-or, if you're fortunate enough to have a Dr of Naturopathy in your area, simply ask them to recc books, dvd's, classes, etc that might meet your interests- I too became quite disenchanted with my lifestyle many years ago and made rather drastic change-my only regret was not making it sooner... I've enjoyed many of the recc from Mother Earth news and Organic Gardening...I spent today enjoying my beautiful, yet chaotic 3 acre organic farm, and transplanting many flats of seedlings I started in Feb in my makeshift greenhouse- this year I have 25 varieties of basils (so far),10 varieties of mint, 10 varieties of sage & thyme and an assortment of 30 other herbs I grow- ( and 42 varieties of tomatoes...lol) I hope you will find your new direction as fulfilling, and delicious as I have mine.
Herby-go online to Amazon and peruse their books on herbs,herbalism and herbal medicines.I've found some great ones,and at Amazon you can look into parts of the book.I usually buy used,and have never been misled at the listed condition of the book.You can save up to 75% buying used.