Rodale's 21st-Century Herbal: A Practical Guide for Healthy Living Using Nature's Most Powerful Plants

Rodale is a great company and I go to them for reference for information on my yard, conservation, and all things herbal. I have had a first edition of this book since the '70s and it has been well used. The new edition is even better. This is a weighty book and not made to read in one sitting. I use it as a reference for a comprehensive description of herbs, the excellent photographs, and the insights into using herbs in a range of purposes. It covers basic information on herbs, how to dry, use in cooking, make tisanes and remedies, as well as potpourris. If you can only buy one herb book - this is the one.

I really wanted to give this more stars but I just couldn't. I'm giving the two stars for the pictures alone. Most if not all of the content can be found at various places on the web. The writing is concise and factual but not 21st century. I was hoping for a bit more i.e where is ANY NEW research being done what are the findings, and how is it being applied clinically. The only instruction on how to use herbs can be found in the cosmetic and cleaning sections of the book. Better books for that information would be Stephanie Tourles Organic Body Care Recipes: 175 Homemade Herbal Formulas for Glowing Skin & a Vibrant Self and Hands-On Healing Remedies: 150 Recipes for Herbal Balms, Salves, Oils, Liniments & Other Topical Therapies. For the more medically interested look to David Hoffman's Medical Herbalism, James Green's The Herbal Medicine-Maker's Handbook: A Home Manual, Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health: 175 Teas, Tonics, Oils, Salves, Tinctures, and Other Natural Remedies for the Entire Family or Adaptogens in Medical Herbalism: Elite Herbs and Natural Compounds for Mastering Stress, Aging, and Chronic Disease by Donny Yance.

I'm completely revamping my garden plans because of this book! I was planning on making a large flower garden and a small culinary herb garden. I bought Rodale's 21st-Century Herbal to help me select the culinary herbs. Then I got this book, and I was blown away by the beautiful pictures, all the information on the uses for the herbs, and the wonderful garden plans. I never imagined herbs could be so varied and so useful! I will definitely be putting this book to a lot of use. I highly recommend it for any serious gardener and/or cook.

I bought this book as a Christmas present and the person I got it for loves it! He's reading something out of it almost every single day! I don't have any details or anything since I'm not the one reading it but he told me it's probably his most favorite gift that's he's ever received!

This is a very informative book. I love that you get a history on herbal practices along with an herbal encyclopedia and practical uses all in one. This is my go to book for a greener lifestyle. I would have appreciated more recipes to try, like a homemade lye soap recipe (not the melt and pour recipes that are in there)

This is an excellent source for anyone interested in herbs. Regardless of how much you may already know there is a lot of background information that is both interesting and useful. Topics are well covered even with relatively esoteric plants. My only reservation is that certain herbs, such as rosemary or basil could be further expanded to include more information about different cultivars and their adaptability to different climates. Nonetheless, this is a valuable book that should be in anyone's library as a go to reference book.

Great detail, covers a wide range of information. Great for a beginner or someone more experienced in Herbalism. Charts, tables, index, detailed usage, harvesting and preparation tips, and tons of great color photographs. Can be rented from the library to look through before you decided you want to purchase it.

I'm very interested in herbs so this book is just what I was looking for. Will be using this as a reference guide when buying and using herbs from my garden. Anybody interested in Herbs should have this booki

A comprehensive beautifully designed book with important historical and global research leading up to the 21st Century.The research is wonderful and the illustrations beautiful. I am so pleased to have found it and it has made a wonderful gift.

really great book

Fast delivery and easy to read!

Very informative and detailed.

Very good update on herbal commentary.