National Geographic Herbal

Targeted to the millions of consumers treating common ailments with herbal remedies, this authoritative guide to 99 essential herbs is chock-full of crucial information for the health-minded consumer, gardener, or naturalist. Written by the executive director of the American Herbalists Guild, National Geographic Herbal features backyard weeds like dandelion and culinary herbs like rosemary, as well as less familiar medicinals like ashwangandha and shatavari. You'll learn the healing properties of herbs and spices like turmeric and shitake mushrooms, and which medicinals enhance skin care--not just arnica and aloe vera, but also horse chestnut and dragon's blood croton. Blending traditional lore and the latest science, this book ranges from the home apothecary to global activism. Illustrated with vintage botanical drawings and vivid contemporary photography, it highlights hallowed traditions, such as Appalachian fire cider and Gullah Geechee recipes reflecting an African past. Comprehensive and user-friendly, reporting the latest science, with this beautiful book readers will make sense of the ever-growing selection of herbal remedies on the market--and enhance their health through a deeper knowledge of the wonder of plants.