Compiled By:
Suzanne DeMuth
Alternative Farming
Systems Information Center, Information Centers Branch
National Agricultural Library, Agricultural Research Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture
Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2351
See also:
Growing Herbs: Selected Information Sources, 1996-2003. Compiled and annotated by Rebecca Mazur, Research and Reader Services, National Agricultural Library. April 2004. http://www.nal.usda.gov/ref/herbs.html
Growing for the Medicinal Herb Market Selected Sources and Resources. Compiled and annotated by Suzanne DeMuth and Mary Gold, Alternative Farming Systems Information Center, National Agricultural Library. February 1998. http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/AFSIC_pubs/mherb.htm
What is an "herb"? The term itself comes from the Latin, "herba," meaning green crops. It originally referred to virtually all plants, cultivated and wild, and especially to their green and succulent parts. Today, the term has two distinct meanings. To the botanist, an herb is a non-woody plant that dies back to the ground in winter, hence "herbaceous." Herb is also used widely to mean any plant, or part derived from it, that has or once had useful properties beyond garden ornament. At the National Herb Garden at the U.S. National Arboretum, for instance, herb is defined broadly to mean just about any plant except vegetables, grains for food or forage, or plants used only to beautify the garden.
This publication deals with "herbs" in the second sense, as plants used for flavoring foods and beverages, for medicines, cosmetics, dyes, and perfumes, and for other household and economic uses. These "useful" plants include many types of vegetation, including the herbaceous, flowering plants that come especially to mind when we think of herbs (such as parsley, basil, or thyme), as well as non-herbaceous trees and shrubs, vines, ferns, mosses, and other plant groups. The useful herbs include plants whose life cycles are annual (such as anise and basil), biennial (parsley, angelica, and clary sage), and perennial, including bay, lavender, lemon balm, thyme, yarrow, and many others. Specific herbs may be valued for their leaves (such as basil, bay, thyme), flowers (chamomile), seeds (dill, fennel), stems (angelica, chives), or underground parts (garlic, chicory).
The notion of herbs as flavoring agents generally excludes those plants commonly known as vegetables, which are foods in and of themselves; that is, vegetables provide the substance, and herbs the seasoning. A related (and also imprecise) group of economic flora consists of the spice plants. These are generally understood to be plants, usually native to the tropics, that bear aromatic fruits, seeds, or woody barks, and that are used, although not solely, to season foods. (Cooking spices may also have medicinal, aromatic, or pesticidal properties.) Examples of culinary spices include cinnamon (consisting of the bark of a small evergreen tree native to Sri Lanka), black pepper (the unripe berries of a native Indonesian plant), and cloves (the dried flower buds of an evergreen tree from the Moluccas, known historically as the "Spice Islands.")
There is often confusion over which plants are herbs and which are spices. One example of the inconsistency in these designations occurs with Coriandrum sativum, a plant native to southern Europe, the Mediterranean region, and northern Africa, which yields both an "herb" and "spice." Its green leafy parts, known as cilantro, are generally considered an herb; while its aromatic seeds are typically deemed a spice. Since the two groups have much in common as "useful" plants, this bibliography encompasses both, but emphasizes those publications and other resources that deal with the plants that can be grown in U.S. gardens.
Herbs and spices have been used for many thousands of years. They provide a tangible link to ages past, when innumerable kinds of plants were an integral, daily part of home and community life. In Western societies prior to this century, people once turned to herbs to fulfill their physical and spiritual needs: to cure illness, season foods, and dye cloth; for their cosmetic properties and pleasing or repellent aromas; as well as for their magical or symbolic qualities.
Although interest in particular herbs has waxed and waned over time and across cul-tures, we have witnessed a general decline in herbal popularity in the industrial era. Botanicals and other natural products have been eclipsed by purified or wholly synthetic drugs, food additives, chemical dyes and pesticides, and other manufactured products. This trend has been partially reversed in the late 20th Century, however, as shown by expanding herbal interest and activity from many quarters. This renewed focus consists, in part, of rediscovery and reevaluation of our pre- industrial herbal heritage, along with new interest in beneficial plants as renewable, biodegradable, or less-toxic resources, and greater interest in the cultural traditions of other groups.
Plant-derived medicines have long contributed to human health and well-being, and today, plant materials are present in, or have provided the models for, a significant proportion of Western drugs. A number of commercially-proven drugs used in modern medicine were initially used in crude form in traditional or folk healing practices, or for other purposes that suggested potentially useful biological activity. Some examples include the muscle relaxant, curare; pain-killer, morphine; antimalarial, quinine; and heart- regulator, digitalis. In the U.S. and other developed nations, expanding popular interest, as well as professional and commercial interests, in herbal medicine (i.e., the use of crude, complex plant materials or extracts, rather than purified drug principles), have spawned an enormous and rapidly expanding literature on the subject, which includes controversy over the benefits and safe use of herbal medications.
In addition to their practical virtues, herbs are being newly appreciated for their beauty and versatility in the home garden. Many of our favorite ornamental garden flowers such as the rose, foxglove, and garden heliotrope are old-time herbs. Whether incorporated into the flower border, or herb or kitchen garden, herbs are being grown for their pleasing scents, interesting colors and textures, and their pest-deterrent properties. For our smaller living spaces, many herbs are suited to indoor culture and container gardens.
Beyond the home garden, market gardeners and small farmers seeking diversification are finding that herbs may be a profitable alternative to conventional cash crops. Rekindled interest in their natural pest-deterrent properties may also mean an expanded role for the plants traditionally considered "herbs" in commercial agricultural production.
Scope. This guide focuses on the published literature, organizations, and other information resources pertaining to herb gardens and gardening, and also the household uses of herbs for health, crafts, decoration, and other purposes. While the publication does not cover comprehensively the subjects of garden history or historical plant use, it includes some representative books, periodicals, articles, and other information on heirloom plants and early American plant usage. This information is intended to serve as an introduction to the plants, from immigrant as well as native cultures, that were valued in the early period of American history, and to portray the present-day interest in heirlooms, or antique plants. Several bibliographies on these topics are included also, to help the reader to locate this literature.
This publication lists a number of herbal resources available on the Internet, although it is not intended to be a comprehensive guide to the Net's offerings (which is a vast topic deserving its own treatment). A good place to start on the Net itself for locating gardening information is "GardenNet" on the World Wide Web at URL http://trine.com/GardenNet/home.htm. GardenNet's well- maintained site includes a subject guide to Internet resources, gardens online, garden associations, gardening publications' home pages, book reviews, and more, plus GardenNet Index. Currently, the guide to Internet resources provides links to several dozen herbally-oriented Web sites. Also, a recent article from The Business of Herbs (Nov./Dec. 1995, p. 40-41) highlights various Web sites that offer information on herb gardening and herbal medicine, including a discussion group and bulletin board for herb enthusiasts.
Availability. The books and other publications listed and described in Sections 2,3, 4, and 6, and the videos in Section 5, have, with few exceptions, been selected from the collections of the National Agricultural Library (NAL) and the U.S. National Arboretum Library. These publications are identified with NAL or ARB call numbers, respectively.
Information on the availability of these materials from other sources is provided at the end of each description. Books designated "out of print" may often be obtained at public or other libraries. Inquire at your public library for further information on availability, including interlibrary loan acquisition. Books that are no longer in print may be purchased from used or rare book sellers; consult the publications listed in Section 3, "Resource Guides," for information on some of these sources. Books designated "in print" may be available also from library collections, or can be purchased or ordered from book stores or other outlets, and in many cases ordered directly from publishers or distributors. Refer to Books in Print (Section 9), or other source, for contact information, or ask a librarian for help in finding publisher information.
A number of special horticultural libraries with extensive collections have interlibrary loan affiliations, so may be available as sources for either on-site examination or loan of hard-to-find or specialized books. Consult Barbara Barton's directory, Gardening by Mail (Section 3, "Resource Guides"), for a listing of libraries in the U.S. and Canada with special horticultural collections. Another source for this information is North American Horticulture, compiled by the American Horticultural Society (New York: Macmillan, 1992, NAL call no. SB317.56.U6N67 1992). A number of public, horticultural, and academic libraries have made their online catalogs available on the Internet.
Numbers that append each citation indicate selected mail-order sources for books currently "in print," and refer to the mail-order suppliers listed in Section 11. Book sources are provided for your information only and do not indicate or imply any endorsement or guarantee. Availability information has been obtained from the supplier's current catalog or otherwise directly, and is subject to change.
The majority of the current periodicals (Section 7) and indexing and abstracting publications and databases (Section 9) are available also at NAL. Subscription information, when appropriate, is provided also, as well as general information on availability.
Note: Line drawings of herbs included in this publication are from John Gerard's 16th Century work, The Herbal or General History of Plants (see Section 2C, "History of Herbs").
2.
ARB SB451.L4 1986
Early American Gardens: "For Meate or Medicine." Ann
Leighton. Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts Press, 1986.
441 p.
Recreates the gardens of early European settlers in
New England, depicting what plants were grown and why, with
insights into development of the American character. Subjects
include historic gardens and plants, influences of early
herbalists, and historic seed lists. With numerous period
illustrations, plus index and extensive bibliography. This is an
unabridged reprint of the 1970 edition from Houghton Mifflin,
Boston, with NAL call no. SB451.L4 and ARB call no. SB451.L4.
Currently in print.
3.
NAL BX9785.H6B43 1991
The Earth Shall Blossom: Shaker Herbs and Gardening.
Galen Beale and Mary Rose Boswell. Woodstock, VT: Countryman
Press, 1991. 263 p.
Explores the Shakers' herb garden heritage, with
colorful accounting of the religious communities' 19th Century
seed and herb businesses. Examines the business practices of
Shaker societies in the context of their religious beliefs, and
describes their modern-day gardening activities. Includes
practical garden lore, advice for creating one's own Shaker
garden, and a guide to existing Shaker gardens, with original
recipes and plant lists. The text is supplemented with color and
black-and-white illustrations, plus an index, authors' notes, and
extensive bibliography. (278,295)
4.
NAL SB451.34 V8J4
ARB SB451.34.V8 J4
The Garden and Farm Books of Thomas Jefferson. Robert C.
Baron, ed. Golden, CO: Fulcrum, 1987. 528 p.
Consists of printed copies of Thomas Jefferson's
60-year record of horticultural successes and failures, the
progression of seasons, and his thoughts on agriculture.
Includes selected letters and a list of the plants grown at
Monticello in Jefferson's time, plus discussion of the
restoration of the estate's gardens during this century. Text is
supplemented with a bibliography and index. (See also Laski's
article in Section 8A on restoration work at Monticello's
gardens.) Currently in print.
5.
ARB SB108.U5H68 1978
NAL SB108.U5H68 1978
Green Immigrants: The Plants That Transformed America.
Claire Shaver Haughton. New York: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich,
1978. 450 p.
An interesting account of immigrant plants that
became part of the North American landscape after Columbus. With
botanical notes, history, and folklore on 87 plants, including
herbs and other cultivated plants and weeds, from A (apple) to Z
(zinnia). The text contains decorative illustrations and is
supplemented with an index. Currently out of print.
6.
NAL SB407.G345 1992
The Heirloom Garden: Selecting and Growing Over 300
Old-Fashioned Ornamentals. Jo Ann Gardner. Pownal, VT:
Storey Communications, 1992. 240 p.
A guide to the diverse array of "heirloom
ornamentals," those plants many of them herbs in the broad sense
introduced to North American gardens from 1600 to 1950. With
advice on how to plan and preserve the heirloom garden and
profiles on specific plants. Includes listings of mail-order
sources, heirloom plant societies, and relevant periodicals.
With a bibliography and indexes, illustrated with line drawings
and color plates. (278,293)
7.
NAL SB324.73.J33
The Heirloom Gardener. Carolyn Jabs. San Francisco, CA:
Sierra Club Books, 1984. 310 p.
Intended to inform gardeners, scientists, collectors,
commercial seed purveyors, and historians about the problem of
extinction of many old and endangered varieties of garden plants.
Offers an historical perspective on particular plants, with
discussion of various preservation efforts and how to find and
grow heirlooms. Although vegetable and fruit varieties (rather
than herbs) are the main focus, the book informs on the general
situation that currently threatens our garden heritage. Includes
a chapter on resource groups (including seed exchanges, heirloom
seed companies, federal repositories, living historical farms and
museums), with an index and extensive bibliography. Margins are
illustrated with drawings from 19th Century horticultural
sources. Currently out of print.
8.
NAL SB351.H5R44
A Heritage of Herbs. Bertha P. Reppert. Harrisburg, PA:
Stackpole Books, 1976. 192 p.
A well-researched and informative account detailing
the legacy of herbal wisdom brought to colonial America. Includes
discussion of specific herbs grown, updates of
old-time recipes, and public gardens of today. With a bibliography
and index, and illustrated with line drawings and
photos. An Early American Society Book. Currently in print.
9.
ARB SB319.H32 1988
NAL SB319.H32 1988
A History of Horticulture in America to 1860. Ulysses P.
Hedrick. With addendum to 1920 by Elisabeth Woodburn. Portland,
OR: Timber Press, 1988. 634 p.
A well-documented survey of the development of
horticultural arts and sciences in the colonial and post-
revolutionary periods, reprinted from the original 1950
publication. This scholarly yet highly readable volume discusses
regional developments and nationalistic influences, with focus on
native American gardens, botanical explorations, and plant
breeding. The original book has been augmented with Elisabeth
Woodburn's narrative summary of gardening books and other
publications covering the period 1860 to 1920. Includes indexes,
and black-and-white illustrations. The 1950 publication from
Oxford University Press, New York, has NAL call no. 90.51 H35 and
ARB call no. SB83.H4. (279)
10.
NAL BX9785.M4M54
Shaker Herbs: A History and A Compendium. Amy Bess
Miller. New York: Clarkson Potter, distributed by Crown
Publishers, 1976. 272 p.
Offers historical background to the Shakers'
successful herb industry, focusing on medicinal aspects.
Includes description of several communities active during the
period 1830-1890 and the names and properties of 302 plants
included in the pharmacopoeias of most societies. Provides
details from original catalogs, with updated botanical names.
Supplemented with a bibliography and index, plus color plates and
black-and-white line drawings. Currently out of print.
11.
NAL SB351.H5S576
Simples, Superstitions, & Solace: Plant Material Used in
Colonial Living. Asher T. Applegate and the National Society
of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Connecticut.
Wethersfield, CT: The Society, 1993. 146 p.
Provides a glimpse of the healing herbs that were
valued in New England gardens prior to the 19th Century.
Describes briefly more than 60 plants, with notes on botany and
historical uses and lore. Includes quotes and line drawings of
each plant from early herbals. With bibliography and index.
This publication, the Centennial Edition to mark the Society's
first 100 years, has been reprinted from the original 1970
edition, and was reissued in 1995 by Dover Publications, New
York, as Herbs & Herb Lore of Colonial America. (272)
12.
ARB QK99.A1E74
NAL QK99.A1E74
Use of Plants for the Past 500 Years. Charlotte
Erichsen-Brown. Aurora, Ontario, Canada: Breezy Creeks Press,
1979. 512 p.
An extensive chronicle of plants used for medicine,
food, and other purposes by native Americans and European
colonists. Includes ethnobotanical information on several hundred
plants, with extensive documentation from original sources
(dating to 14th Century records), presented chronologically in
original form and detail. Focuses on plants native to Canada and
the northern U.S., with entries grouped by plant type or habitat,
then arranged alphabetically by common plant name. Includes indexes
of botanical and common names, with line drawings of all plants,
and an extensive listing of sources cited in the text. The 1989
Dover Publications reprint is titled Medicinal and Other Uses
of North American Plants: A Historical Survey with Special
Reference to the Eastern Indian Tribes, with ARB call no.
QK990.A1 E742 [sic]. (261,272)
13.
ARB SB454.3.P5B75
NAL SB454.3.P5B75
The Vanishing Garden: A Conservation Guide to Garden
Plants. Christopher Brickell and Fay Sharman. London: John
Murray, The Royal Horticultural Society, 1986. 261 p.
A book intended "as a stimulant, to encourage
interest in our garden plants, old and new, and their continued
survival in the future." Following an explanation of the perils
of "the vanishing garden," the main section reviews important
threatened garden plants (herbs and ornamentals, perennials,
bulbs), including their garden merits, closely related plants,
and hybrids made from them. Covers 80 genera, 37 of which are
represented in national collections in Britain. Although the
focus is on British horticultural heritage, this publication
considers many fine garden plants that were brought to, and are
still suited for American gardens. Illustrated with line drawings
and color plates for each plant, with biographical notes, subject
index, and extensive bibliography. (279)
14.
NAL SB351.H5M35 1990
All About Herbs. James K. McNair and the Editorial Staff
of Ortho Books. San Ramon, CA: Chevron Chemical Company, 1990.
112 p.
A useful introduction to herb gardening, covering the
various ways herbs are used, plus basic culture and care.
Profiles the most popular herbs for home gardeners, focusing on
culinary or scented plants, with recipes, varietal information,
and abundant color photos. A significant portion of the book is
a reference guide to dried, commercially available herbs and
spices, also with color photos of each and notes on suitability
for the home garden. Includes mail-order source information and
index. (293)
15.
NAL SB351.H5B65
The Complete Book of Herbs: A Practical Guide to Growing and
Using Herbs. Lesley Bremness. New York: Viking Penguin,
1988. 288 p.
An attractive and informative volume with broad
coverage of the world of herbs. Contains an "Herbal Index"
depicting more than 100 of the most useful and easy-to-grow
plants Achillea to Viola with high-quality color photos of mature
plants, plant parts, and seeds. Includes chapters on gardening
with herbs, herbal decorations, herbal cookery, and herbs for the
household, cosmetics, and health. The cooking section features
80 recipes, with additional formulas for health and beauty
products, and the gardening section offers several plans and
suggested plants for herbal theme gardens. Illustrated
abundantly with color photos, and augmented with a suppliers
list, bibliography, and index.
(261,276,293)
16.
NAL SB351.H5G37
The Complete Book of Herbs and Spices. Sarah Garland.
New York: Viking Press, 1979. 288 p.
A comprehensive, well-illustrated guide to virtually
every possible herbal use in the home, from cookery to first-aid
and herb crafts. A major portion of the book is a "modern
herbal" highlighting the histories of and uses for 150 herbs and
spices, including those domesticated or found growing wild in
temperate North American climates. Herb gardening is considered,
with discussion of garden design and themes, organic growing, and
how to propagate, harvest, and store herbs. Includes recipes for
herbal cookery and other household uses. With bibliography,
index, and brief glossary of botanical and medical terms, plus
color and black-and-white drawings and photos. Reprinted in 1993
by Reader's Digest Association, New York. Currently in print.
17.
NAL QD415.L48
NAL QD415.L4 F&N B-2685
Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food,
Drugs, and Cosmetics. Albert Y. Leung. New York: John Wiley
& Sons, 1980. 409 p.
A unique reference work that assembles information
about the natural ingredients used in processed foods,
over-the-counter drugs, and cosmetics. Monographs for 310
substances, including many generally considered "herbs," include
data on chemical composition, pharmacological or biological
activity, uses and commercial preparations, and a comprehensive
reference list. Augmented with useful indexes to names and
chemical ingredients, plus a glossary of terms used in the
botanical industry. Useful for those with a more technical
interest in herbs used commercially. (A second edition from the
same publisher, revised and expanded by Albert Y. Leung and
Steven Foster, has NAL call no. QD415.A25L48 1996. (267))
18.
ARB SB351.H5E52 1979
NAL SB351.H5E52
The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism. Malcolm Stuart,
ed. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1979. 304 p.
A useful reference work recounting the history of
herbalism and medicinal plants, with botanical information and
suggestions for garden cultivation and design, and domestic
usage. Supplemented with many useful charts and diagrams. Fully
one-half of the text is a "reference section" describing 420
herbs garden as well as wild plants highlighting their specific
attributes, how to grow each one, and uses. Most plants are
depicted by line drawings or color photos. Includes an extensive
glossary of terms, plus an index and lengthy bibliography
organized by subject. Currently out of print.
19.
NAL SB351.H5B645
1995 Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Deni Bown.
London: Dorling Kindersley, distributed by Houghton Mifflin,
1995. 424 p.
Endorsed by the Herb Society of America, this is a
comprehensive volume that does much to advance the Society's
mission, "to promote knowledge, use, and delight of herbs..."
One section is an "Herb Catalog" with descriptions of hundreds of
herbs, A-to-Z by genus, with notes on distribution, botanical
characteristics, related species, and common names, plus color
photos of each plant. Following is an "Herb Dictionary,"
similarly arranged, offering for each plant data on current
research, historical uses, and folklore associations, with
details on parts used, properties, and uses. Featured also are
sections on growing and propagating herbs, herb gardening styles,
and uses past and present for seasoning foods, enhancing health,
and cosmetics. One chapter examines "herbs in the wild,"
particular herbs found in different regions of the world and
their uses by local cultures. Supplemented with a glossary,
bibliography on herbs and medicinal plants, list of herb gardens
to visit in the U.S., and general index. With abundant
full-color photographs throughout. A valuable,
visually-appealing reference for both beginners and herb experts.
(The book is sometimes known as The HSA Encyclopedia of Herbs
& Their Uses.) (261,267,271,293)
20.
NAL SB351.H5W74 1992
The Essence of Herbs: An Environmental Guide to Herb
Gardening. Ruth D. Wrensch. Jackson, MS: University Press of
Mississippi, 1992. 298 p.
Provides an environmental approach to herb gardening,
including attention to herbs in specific native habitats. Topics
include herbal history, botany and nomenclature, garden
design,
cultivation, harvesting, and uses, with a focus on natural
landscaping with native American herbs in the southeastern U.S.
Offers a descriptive catalog of several hundred herbs, with notes
on their botanical and garden characteristics, and historical or
contemporary merits. Contains a lengthy bibliography, index,
glossary of horticultural terms, and contacts for supplies and
further information. With a handful of color plates and black-
and-white line drawings. (261,295)
21.
NAL SB351.H5F43
Essential Herbs. The 100 Best for Design and
Cultivation. Derek Fell. New York: Crescent Books, 1990. 128
p.
Offers numerous ideas for imaginative herb growing,
with advice on cultivation, propagation, and uses. Includes
descriptions of 11 specialty herb gardens, with planting
diagrams. The "100 best" include culinary, medicinal, and other
herb types that are especially ornamental and readily grown.
These are arranged by botanical name and described in
encyclopedic format, with notes on the garden merits and uses for
each, plus color photos. (There are many color photos and
diagrams throughout the text, as well.) Supplemented with
several useful plant lists, plus plant name indexes. Currently
in print.
22.
NAL SB351.H5R63 1990
Fresh Herbs: Over 100 Uses for Growing, Cooking, Cosmetics,
and Garden Design. Barbara Radcliffe Rogers. New York:
Mallard Press, 1990. 144 p.
With emphasis on freshly-grown herbs, this book
presents recipes and household uses for several dozen herbs.
Basic advice for garden design, and growing and harvesting herbs
is included. "An Album of Herbs," the largest portion of the
book, highlights popular herbs, artemisia to violet, with several
recipes or ideas for crafts or cosmetics for each. In large
print, and supplemented with numerous, full-page color photos,
plus an index. Currently out of print.
23.
NAL SB351.H5M54
1986 Growing and Using Herbs and Spices. Milo
Miloradovich. New York: Dover Publications, 1986. 231 p.
A compact, comprehensive handbook for the herb
gardener and cook. Features historical background and recipes for
culinary and household herbs and spices, plus advice on garden
design and cultivation. The text is supplemented with an index
and glossary of botanical names for the plants mentioned. The
Dover edition is a reprint of the original publication first
issued in 1952; the latter was issued as The Home Garden Book
of Herbs and Spices (Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1952), NAL
call no. 97.21 M63. (272,295)
24.
NAL SB351.H5F57
Growing Herbs. Roberta Floden. New York: Avon Books,
1993. 79 p.
A basic "how-to" guide for cultivating a number of
herbs, considering indoor and outdoor settings, garden
requirements and landscape uses, and herbs for cooking or
crafting. Includes profiles of several dozen specific herbs,
with a reference chart outlining garden and use characteristics.
Suited to the beginning gardener, this is a colorful work with
photos of all herbs mentioned in the text. Includes an index.
This is a "Step-by-Step Visual Guide" from NK Lawn & Garden
Company, the seed supplier, which is sometimes known as NK
Lawn & Garden Guides: Growing Herbs. Currently in print.
25.
NAL SB351.H5H43
Hemphill's Book of Herbs. John Hemphill and Rosemary
Hemphill. Sydney, Australia: Landsdowne Publishing/Ure Smith
Press, 1991. 224 p.
An introduction to culinary, fragrant, and medicinal
herbs, with predominant focus on those used for cooking. Several
dozen herbs for seasoning and salads are described, with notes on
history, folklore, cultivation, processing, and various uses.
Includes chapters on herbal history, techniques for herb
gardening, herbs as medicines (with simple home remedies), herbal
teas and
beverages, and herbs for beauty, plus a selection of specific
recipes. With a reference list and index, plus numerous color
photos. The book is written for British, Australian, and
American audiences, and covers many herbs grown commonly in the
temperate U.S. It has been expanded from the authors' earlier
publication, Herbs: Their Cultivation and Usage (Poole,
Dorset: Blandford Press, 1983), NAL call no. SB351.H5H345, which
has been reprinted several times.
26.
NAL SB351.H5L9
The Herb Garden. Charles Lyte. Newbury Park, CA:
Haynes
Publications, 1986. 166 p.
An entertaining exploration of the history, lore, and
legend of herbs, considering salad and
culinary herbs, medicinals, and herbs for the flower border.
Topics range from the paleobotanic evidence of herb use, to
household herbs of yesteryear, and herbs most useful to modern
cooks. Focuses for the most part on plants grown or collected in
Britain, many of which can be readily grown or gathered in North
America. Not intended to be an in-depth "how-to" book on herb
cultivation, and other publications may be more useful for
specific instruction in preparing herbal products. With color
plates, plus an index and bibliography. Not currently in print.
27.
NAL SB351.H5H353 1994
Herb Gardening. Patricia Hopkinson, et al. New York,
Pantheon Books, 1994. 224 p.
A handsome volume stemming from the collaboration of
several professional herb experts, this book offers a historical
and botanical overview of herbs, with
discussion of garden design, cultivation methods, and profiles of
some 200 herbs, detailing garden and other attributes and uses.
It addresses special garden considerations, including organic
growing, enabling gardens, climate variation, and more.
Illustrated with color drawings, photos, and diagrams, and
supplemented with a glossary, suppliers list, and useful charts
and indexes. From American Garden Guides Series. (293)
28.
NAL SB351.H5L68
Herb Gardening: Why and How to Grow Herbs. Claire
Loewenfeld. London: Faber & Faber, 1964 (1989 printing). 256
p.
An informative, all-round guide for herb gardeners
and
enthusiasts. Part 1 covers general aspects of herbs: how to
grow, harvest, preserve, and use. Part 2 offers details on a
variety of herbs, particularly those used in cooking, that can be
readily grown in British (or many North American) gardens.
Contains text only, including useful reference charts on garden
attributes and herb uses in the home. A popular work reissued
numerous times since it was first published; this edition has an
updated listing of suppliers. The same title issued in 1965
(Newton, MA: Charles T. Brandford Company, 1965) has NAL call no.
SB351.H5L6. Currently in print.
29.
NAL SB351.H5F627
1993 Herbal Renaissance: Growing, Using & Understanding Herbs
in the Modern World. Steven Foster. Foreward by Richard Evan
Schultes. Salt Lake City, UT: Gibbs-Smith, 1993. 234 p.
A handsome, informative volume covering many aspects
of herb culture and usage, useful for home gardeners as well as
those with a commercial interest. Documents 80 herbs for home
use and the herb trade market, with the basics of garden
design, propagation, and harvest for each. Coverage includes garden
plants, as well as a number of native and naturalized North
American herbs. Offers information on traditional uses and the
latest scientific findings regarding medicinal properties and
health and safety data. Supplemented with an extensive
bibliography, resource information, and index, and
well-illustrated with color plates, line drawings, and
black-and-white photos. Expanded and revised from the author's
Herbal Bounty! The Gentle Art of Herb Culture (Salt Lake
City, UT: G.M. Smith, 1984), NAL call no. SB351.H5F627 1984.
(268,276,288,290)
30.
NAL SB351.H5S48 1990
Herbal Treasures: Inspiring Month-by-Month Projects for
Gardening, Cooking, and Crafts. Phyllis V. Shaudys. Pownal,
VT: Storey Communications, 1990. 312 p.
A month-by-month guide to hundreds of projects for
gardening, cooking, and crafting with herbs. This publication
contains numerous specific recipes for herb usage and is
supplemented generously with resource
information, including a chapter-by-chapter list of books and
other publications, herb organizations, and mail-order sources
for supplies. With black-and-white drawings and diagrams, plus
an index and authors directory. This book is a sequel to the
author's earlier work with similar theme and format, The Pleasure
of Herbs: A Month-by-Month Guide to Growing, Using, and Enjoying
Herbs (Pownal, VT: Storey Communications, 1986), NAL call
no. SB351.H5S52. (276,278,293,295)
31.
NAL SB351.H5B6585
Herbs. Leslie Bremness. New York: Dorling
Kindersley, 1994. 304 p.
A "visual guide" to more than 700 herbs, spices, and
related materials used throughout the world. The text is
arranged by source group, including trees, annuals, vines,
non-seed-bearing plants, and fungi, and subarranged by botanical
name. Includes botanical details, common names, and plant parts
used, with a smattering of notes (and cautions) on usage. Vivid
color photos of each material depicted make this a useful guide
to the visual properties of herbs and spices, although source and
background information is generally lacking. Includes a glossary
of basic botanical terms, and name indexes. From Eyewitness
Handbook Series. (261,293,295)
32.
NAL SB351.H5K73
Herbs. Martha E. Kraska. New York: Prentice Hall
Gardening, 1992. 96 p.
A useful, basic guide to growing and using herbs from
the garden. Subjects covered include planning the garden,
cultivation basics, dealing with pests and diseases, and
suggestions for cooking with herbs and other home uses. The
major portion of the book consists of vignettes of 65 herbs, with
varietal information and details on usage. Contains numerous
color photos, plus an index. From Burpee American Gardening
Series. (Sometimes known as Burpee American Gardening Series,
Herbs.). Currently in print.
33.
NAL SB351.H5M48
1993 Herbs. Patricia S. Michalak. Emmaus, PA: Rodale
Press, distributed by St. Martins Press, 1993. 160 p.
From Rodale's Successful Organic Gardening Series,
this book covers selecting, planting, maintaining, harvesting,
and using herbs grown organically. A "plant by plant guide"
describes in reference format the garden requirements of several
dozen culinary and ornamental herbs, plus varieties available and
harvesting and storing tips; each plant is depicted by a color
photo. Includes numerous "how-to" diagrams and color photos and
illustrations, plus an index. (277)
34.
NAL SB351.H5B4 1990
Herbs and the Earth. Henry Beston. Introduction by Roger
Swain. Boston, MA: David R. Godine, Publisher, 1990. 144 p.
Still popular since it was first published in 1935,
this delightful book is, in the author's words, "part garden
book, part musing study of our relation to Nature through the
oldest group of plants known to gardeners." Beston offers in
this classic, compact work sound gardening advice while
reflecting on "ten great herbs" grown at his Maine farm. Also
offered is an appraisal of two dozen more herbs worthy of a place
in the garden, and general notes on "the making and planting of a
garden." Includes a reference list of herbs with notable
garden attributes, plus an index. Illustrated with woodcuts. The 1935
edition from Doubleday, Doran, & Company has NAL call no. 97.21
Sh3. (261)
35.
NAL SB351.H5T6
Herbs: Gardens, Decorations, and Recipes. Emelie Tolley
and Chris Mead. New York: Clarkson Potter, 1985. 244 p.
A handsomely illustrated book with wide scope,
covering garden design, recipes, and herb crafting. Provides
background information, including horticultural advice, on 40 popular herbs.
Supplemented with an index and comprehensive directory of herb
gardens in the U.S., Canada, and Britain, and herb publications.
This is a stylish publication intended to inspire as well as to
inform, with numerous full-color photos. (261,276) (The same
authors and publisher have collaborated on a new book with
similar format that highlights gardens in North America, England,
and France, titled Gardening with Herbs (New York: Random
House, 1995). (271))
36.
NAL SB351.H5P37
Herbs in the Garden. Alan Paterson. London: J.M. Dent &
Sons, 1985. 370 p.
A "how-to" guide on growing and using herbs that is
also pleasurable to read, from the Director of the Royal
Botanical Gardens in Hamilton, Ontario. The body of the book is
an extensive A-to-Z (Acanthus to Vitex) catalog of
herbs for culinary, medicinal, and ornamental herb gardens, with
garden attributes and notes on history and uses, and including a
number of native American herbs. Other topics include mankind's
herbal heritage, and herbs in various garden settings, addressing
ornamental and ecological aspects. One chapter on herb garden
design offers plans for formal, classic gardens, courtyards,
ornamental borders, and culinary gardens. Also featured is a
section on culinary herbs, with 40-plus recipes, both standard
and unusual. With a handful of color plates and line drawings
throughout (although there are few illustrations in the herb
catalog section, the verbal descriptions are well crafted.)
Supplemented with informative charts that group herbs by their
predominant usage (culinary, medicinal, ornamental), with garden
aspects and requirements. Includes a bibliography, brief
glossary, and index. Reprinted in 1993 and distributed in the
U.S. by Trafalgar Square. Currently in print.
37.
NAL SB351.H5C53
Herbs: Their Culture and Uses. Rosetta E. Clarkson.
Foreward by Gertrude B. Foster. New York: Collier Books
(MacMillan), 1990. 226 p.
A lively and practical guide to herb gardening and
herb uses in the home. General instruction on growing herbs is
offered in the body of the book, along with advice for creating
thematic gardens, making herbal products, and cooking with herbs
(including recipes). Includes descriptions of "some hundred
herbs of maximum value," from acantha to yarrow, with useful
tables and details on the utilities of specific plants. With
black-and-white line drawings, and subject index. From American
Gardening Classic Series. This final work in Clarkson's classic
herbal trilogy was first published in 1942. A 1961 reprint of
the 1942 Macmillan edition has ARB call no. SB351.H5 C49; the
first printing of the 1942 edition, plus reprints from 1944 and
1945 have NAL call no. 97.21 C56H. (Other books in Clarkson's
trilogy are described elsewhere in this publication.) (290)
38.
ARB SB351.H5S55
NAL SB351.H5S55
Herbs Through the Seasons at Caprilands. Adelma Grenier
Simmons. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1987. 192 p.
Herbs to enhance everyday living are the topic of
this book from a well-known herbal expert, owner of Caprilands
Farm in Coventry, Connecticut. The author shares her herbal
interests, with advice on growing and using herbs for cooking and
decorating throughout the year, from Spring planting to Summer
garden care, Autumn harvest parties, and year-end holidays.
Includes a section on 47 popular herbs aconite to yarrow with
notes on cooking and other uses, and line drawings of each. With
sets of color plates for each season. Not currently in print.
39.
NAL SB351.H5P47 1994
Herbs You Can Master: A Primer for Herbal Enthusiasts.
Carol R. Peterson. Snoqualmie, WA: Mountain Garden Publishing,
1994. 221 p.
An introductory guide to growing and using ten
culinary herbs, providing an overview of historical aspects and
considering garden attributes, planting and care, harvest and
storage, and culinary uses in particular, with other uses noted.
Offers varietal information and recipes. The text is supplemented
with an index. Currently in print.
40.
NAL SB351.H5B6593
Little Herb Gardens: Simple Secrets for Glorious Gardens Indoors and Out. Georgeanne Brennan and Mimi
Luebbermann. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books, 1993. 96 p.
Intended to inspire and inform herb cooks on the
practical aspects of growing and using fresh herbs, this compact
volume offers stepwise details for growing the most popular
kitchen herbs. Includes suggestions for growing herbs on the
windowsill and indoor porch, and in outdoor situations, with a
chapter on herb uses in the kitchen. Includes an index, brief
bibliography, and source list for herbs and seeds, with abundant
full-page color photos. An introductory book for beginners with
minimal gardening experience. (293)
41.
NAL SB351.H5B63
The Macmillan Treasury of Herbs: A Complete Guide to the
Cultivation and Use of Wild and Domesticated Herbs. Ann
Bonar. New York: Macmillan, 1985. 144 p.
An informative and attractive work for the herb
gardener and herbal enthusiast. Describes cultivation, history,
and uses for 59 herbs from the garden and the wild with color
photos of mature plants and plant parts. Includes chapters on
cultivation and garden design, container gardening, fragrant
herbs, and more. Supplemented with a recipe selection, useful
charts, index, and list of suppliers in the U.S. Lavishly
illustrated with color photos and drawings. Currently in print.
42.
ARB QK99.A1M3
NAL QK99.A1M3
Magic and Medicine of Plants. Pleasantville, NY:
Reader's Digest Association, 1986. 464 p.
A handsome introduction to herbal history and
folklore, enhanced with contemporary research findings on
medicinal plants. Includes an overview of botany and plant study,
and a chapter on
growing and using herbs for health, beauty, and crafts. A major
portion of the book consists of profiles of 280 North American
medicinal plants both cultivated or growing wild, and including a
few with culinary uses with descriptions, lore, and uses. With
vivid color illustrations and photos of each plant. Appendix
contains a glossary of botanical and medical terms, and index.
(276,293)
43.
NAL SB351.H5.C514 1992
Magic Gardens: A Modern Chronicle of Herbs and Savory Seeds.
Rosetta E. Clarkson. Foreward by Sal Gilbertie. New York: Collier Books
(Macmillan), 1992. 369 p.
A classic work on herbs through the ages, rich with
lore and practical knowledge on herb gardening, cooking, and
medicine. Contains numerous
illustrations from ancient herbals and gardening texts, with
indexes to books and authors mentioned in the text. From
American Gardening Classics Series. Magic Gardens is the
first book in Clarkson's herb trilogy, originally published
by Macmillan in 1939; other titles are noted elsewhere in this
publication. A 1972 unabridged reprint from Dover Publications,
New York, was titled Herbs and Savory Seeds: Culinaries, Simples,
Sachets, Decoratives (NAL call no. SB351.H5C52 1972, ARB
call no. SB351.H5 C52 1972). The 1939 Macmillan edition, first
printing, has NAL call no. 97.21 C56. (272)
44.
ARB SB351.H5F625
NAL SB351.H5F625
Park's Success with Herbs. Gertrude B. Foster and
Rosemary F. Louden. Greenwood, SC: George W. Park Seed Company,
1980. 192 p.
A useful, well-organized guide to herb culture,
compiled by two herb experts. Includes an A-to-Z catalog
describing over 100 herbs, with history, cultural requirements,
and advice for culinary and household uses, with some less-common
and appealing recipes. Contains black-and-white photographs of
each herb at the mature stage, and also the seedling stage an
unusual feature. With an index. (295)
45.
NAL SB351.H5S76
Planning the Organic Herb Garden: From Pots on Patios to
Larger Layouts. Sue Stickland. New York: Thorsens, 1986. 127
p.
A practical introductory guide to organic herb
gardening, with chapters on garden design, botany, propagation,
pest control, and herb harvest and storage. Includes advice for
creating several types of gardens, including culinary, medicinal
and cosmetic, and potpourri gardens, with recommended plants.
There are some two dozen recipes for herb-flavored food and
drink. One chapter covers 50 "of the most useful and
easiest-to-grow herbs," from angelica to yarrow, with cultivation
and harvesting advice, and major uses whether for cooking,
medicine, fragrance, or other household use. With line drawings
and diagrams, plus color plates. Includes an index. Currently
in print.
46.
ARB SB351.H5R58
NAL SB351.H5R58
Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs. Claire
Kowalchik and William H. Hylton, eds. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press,
1987. 545 p.
An informative general reference book offering
horticultural advice and garden designs, plus coverage of herbal
cookery, dyes, medicinals, history, and lore. Provides
background information on garden traits and uses (historical and
current) for 140 herbs, presented in A-to-Z format by common
name. Supplemented with useful charts, plus numerous line
drawings and color photos. Includes a bibliography of books and
periodicals on herbs, including a number of specialized titles
omitted from this publication, plus an index. (273,276,277,295)
More recent books that adhere more-or-less to the herbal format are placed in the section immediately preceding, "General Aspects of Herbs." Books that offer more up-to-date information on the medicinal aspects of plants are grouped in Section 2K, "Medicinal Herbs and Health."
47.
NAL GT5164.M36
An Ancient Egyptian Herbal. Lise Manniche. Austin, TX:
University of Texas Press; London: British Museum Publications,
1989. 176 p.
Relying on original texts and classical authors, the
author (a Danish Egyptologist) reconstructs an herbal of 94
species of plants used in ancient Egypt. Descriptions of each
plant many of them familiar to American gardeners and cooks
include English, Latin, Egyptian, and other names, notes on plant
origin and special properties, and original recipes. Also
considered are Egyptian gardens and the ways plants were used for
ritual and everyday life in the age of the pharoahs. With
numerous black-and- white illustrations and line drawings, and
supplemented with an index, glossary, bibliography, and
references to plant names used by Dioscorides. (276)
48.
NAL SB351.H5M83
Garden Spice and Wild Pot-Herbs: An American Herbal.
Walter C. Muenscher and Myron A. Rice. Ithaca, NY: Comstock
Publishing Associates, 1978. 211 p.
For gardeners and gourmets, this "classic" modern
herbal first published in 1955 describes 85 common and exotic
kitchen herbs -how to recognize, identify, and harvest each, with
culinary and historical notes and garden attributes. Covers
herbs grown in American gardens and those native or naturalized.
Illustrated with handsome, full-page wood engravings. Contains
an index and glossary of horticultural terms and cross-references
to plant names, plus illustrations of the seeds of plants
mentioned in the text. The 1955 edition from the same publisher
has NAL call no. 97.21 M88 and ARB call no. SB351.H5M84.
Currently out of print.
49.
NAL SB451.C52 1991
Green Enchantment: The Magic and History of Herbs and Garden
Making. Rosetta E. Clarkson. Introduction by Tovah Martin.
New York: Collier Books (Macmillan), 1991. 328 p.
The author draws from ancient wisdom to enlighten
modern gardeners and herb enthusiasts in this unabridged classic
first published in 1940 as Green Enchantment: The Magic Spell
of Gardens. With centuries- old recipes for using edible
flowers and herbs in food and medicine, and supplemented with 100
facsimile woodcuts, plus indexes to books and authors mentioned
in the text. From American Gardening Classic Series. Green
Enchantment is the second book of Clarkson's herb trilogy;
Magic Gardens (1939) and Herbs: Their Culture and
Usage (1942) are described above. An unabridged reprint of
Green Enchantment was issued in 1972 from Dover
Publications with the title, The Golden Age of Herbs and
Herbalists, ARB call no. SB451.C5 1972. The 1940 edition
from Macmillan (with original title) has NAL call no. 97.21 C56G.
Currently in print.
50.
NAL SB351.H5K7
Herbal. Joseph Wood Krutch. New York: Putnam, 1965. 255
p.
A folio-sized volume depicting plants in artful prose
and illustration, meant "to entertain (and perhaps inform) those who
share the author's interest in the facts and fancies which
constitute our forefathers' knowledge of the world of plants."
Portraits of 106 plants, each found to be "useful, beautiful, or
wonderful" (or all of these), portray medicinal and other
virtues, word origins and taxonomic relations, and other aspects,
with quotations from ancient herbals and other texts. Text notes
for each plant (as well as a few non-plant substances valued by
the herbalists) are placed opposite a full-page, high-quality
woodcut from Mattioli's 16th Century work, Commentaries on the
Six Books of Dioscorides. The introduction discusses
the significance of herbals and their linkage to the developing
sciences of botany and pharmacology. A charming and handsome
work, augmented with a bibliography and index to species,
family, and common names. Alternatively known as Krutch
Herbal or Joseph Wood Krutch Herbal. Reissued in
1996 by David R. Godine (Boston, MA) and currently in print.
51.
ARB QK41.G3 1975
NAL QK41.G3 1975
The Herbal or General History of Plants. John Gerard.
London: Norton, 1597. The complete 1633 edition as revised and
enlarged by Thomas Johnson. New York: Dover Publications, 1975.
1630 p.
Still popular, this is the classic, frequently-cited
work by English herbalist, John Gerard, with Johnson's revisions.
It describes some 2850 plants with herbal virtues, with 2500
original illustrations. Includes indexes to Latin and English
common names, plus a "table of vertues." This is a reprint of
the edition printed by A. Islip, J. Norton, and R. Whitakers,
London, under the title The Herball, or Generall Historie of
Plantes, NAL call no. R Folio 452.G31 1963. (NAL Special
Collections holds earlier versions of this publication as well.)
(271,272,293,295)
52.
ARB QK14.5.A73 1986
Herbals: Their Origin and Evolution: A Chapter in the History
of Botany, 1470-1670. 3rd ed. Agnes Arber. Introduction by
William T. Stearn. New York: Cambridge University Press,
1986. 358 p.
A classic work that traces the evolution of the
printed herbal in Europe during the period in which botany and
herbalism evolved as distinct disciplines, with an emphasis on
botanical and artistic features. Contains numerous
illustrations, including photographic copies from originals in
the British Museum, with an index and extensive bibliography.
The 3rd edition, with new introduction and annotations, is a
reprint from Cambridge Science Classics Series, first published
in 1912 and revised in 1938. Earlier editions include a 1970
facsimile of the 1938 edition from Hafner, NAL call no. 452.6 Ar1
and ARB call no. QK15.A8 1953. Currently in print.
53.
ARB QK99.A1L4
NAL QK99.AlL4
A History of Herbal Plants. Richard le Strange. Foreward
by Anthony Huxley. London: Angus & Robertson, 1977. 304 p.
A well-researched volume conveying the union of
botany and plant- based medicine, including botanical notes and
historical lore on 750 herbal plants used through the ages.
Scrutinizes the historical literature and lore to distinguish real medicinal
properties from unverified folk usage. With cultivation advice,
plus a glossary of medical terms, index, and bibliography.
Entries are arranged by genus name, with indexes to the botanical
Latin and common names. Includes line drawing of most herbs
covered in the text. Currently out of print.
54.
NAL SB351.H5S25 1992
History of the English Herb Garden. Kay N. Sanecki.
Foreward by Anthony Huxley. London: Ward Lock, 1992. First
paperback ed., 1994. 128 p.
The author reviews the history of herb gardens in
Great Britain from Roman times to the present, considering the
beginnings of herbalism, the many uses of plants, major
herbalists and their works, and the current scene with respect to
herb popularity. Anthony Huxley calls this book "a unique work
which will surely become the most important source-book on
British herbal history." Appendix includes indexes to plants
mentioned in the text, a bibliography, and listings of plants
native to Britain, southern Europe, and the U.S., and of British
national collections. Contains many black-and-white illustrations
and photos.
Currently in print.
55.
NAL SB351.H5S65 1994
The Illustrated Earth Garden Herbal: A Herbal Companion.
Rev. ed. Keith Vincent Smith. Port Melbourne, Victoria,
Australia: Thomas C. Lothian, 1994. 157 p.
An anthology of herbal knowledge and lore drawn from
the original texts, these ranging from the works of Theophrastus
of ancient Greece to 17th Century writers, and including the
classic European works. One section considers the virtues of 40
herbs, with the author's commentary interspersed with text from
original sources. Includes a bibliography of sources, glossary
of archaic words, and indexes to plants and authors, plus
numerous black-and-white illustrations reproduced from original
sources. Revised from the first 1978 edition (parts of the book
were first published in the Australian magazine, Earth
Garden). Currently in print.
56.
NAL QK99.B69 1994
The Illustrated Herbal. Rev. ed. Wilfrid Blunt and
Sandra Raphael. London: Frances Lincoln, 1994. 190 p.
A biographic and bibliographic survey of herbalists
and their works, first published in 1979. Traces the evolution
of European herbal production, with emphasis on herbal artistry
and including manuscript herbals from classical times, woodcut
herbals appearing in the 15th Century, and important
metal-engraved works dating to the 16th to late-18th Centuries.
A high quality work containing numerous color plates and
illustrations reproduced from classic works. Includes an index.
The first edition (New York: Thames and Hudson: Metropolitan
Museum of Art, 1979) has NAL call no. QK14.5 B57 and ARB call no.
QK99.A1B55X. Currently in print.
57.
ARB QK99.A1A5
NAL QK99.A1A5
An Illustrated History of the Herbals. Frank J.
Anderson. New York: Columbia University Press, 1977. 270 p.
Surveys herbal literature for the general reader,
from the ancient Greeks to 17th Century Western herbalists.
Rather than a guide to herbal plants, this book focuses on 30 of
the most important Western herbals, considering their authors,
publishers, and illustrators, as well as content and style
aspects and circumstances surrounding publication. Contains
100 illustrations, with an index and lengthy bibliography. Reprinted
in 1985, and currently in print.
58.
ARB QK99.G84 1967
NAL QK9.G7 1967
A Modern Herbal: The Medicinal, Culinary, Cosmetic, and
Economic Properties, Cultivation, and Folklore of Herbs, Grasses,
Fungi, Shrubs, and Trees with All Their Modern Scientific
Uses. M. Grieve. C.F. Leyel, ed. New York: Hafner, 1967. 2
vol., 888 p.
An encyclopedic work with historical background,
cultivation tips, and varied uses for over 800 varieties of
plants. Considered a "classic modern herbal," first published in 1931.
Plants are arranged alphabetically by common names, with indexes
to common and scientific names. Outdated and unreliable with
respect to certain chemical and medicinal information, but still
a valuable source of lore and historical information.
Supplemented with black-and-white drawings. An unabridged
edition from Dover Publications, New York, was reissued in 1971.
The 1931 edition from Jonathan Cape, London, has NAL call no.
452.8 G87. (272,287,290,293,295)
59.
ARB QK21.G7 R6 1971
NAL QK14.5.R6
The Old English Herbals. Eleanour Sinclair Rohde. New
York: Dover Publications, 1971 (1989 printing). 243 p.
This unabridged reprint of the 1922 edition by a
noted early 20th Century herbarist recounts the history of the
herbal from early 10th Century Anglo-Saxon manuscripts to 17th
Century European printed herbals, and including American texts.
It provides an interesting account of historical plant uses,
botanical medicine, and folklore and customs. Supplemented with
an extensive, detailed bibliography describing more than 430
works. With black-and-white photographs copied from cited texts,
plus an index. (The original edition (London: Longmans, Green and
Company, 1922) has NAL call no. 452.6 R63.) (272)
60.
NAL SB454.3.B52.H47 1987
Planting a Bible Garden: A Practical Reference Guide for the
Home Gardener, Schools, Colleges, and Churches in all Climates of
the World. F. Nigel Hepper. London: Royal Botanic Gardens,
Kew, 1987. 104 p.
A practical guide to making a theme garden based on
plants mentioned in the Bible. Provides background and
growing information for 75 plants, which are grouped by life form (or
typical habitat or other feature) as annuals, perennials, shrubs
and small trees, large trees, water plants, and tender plants
numerous herbs as "useful plants" are contained in each of these
categories. Details for each plant, arranged by common name,
include biblical context and verse, cultivation notes, and
species name. With detailed line drawings of each plant and
color plates by the author. Supplemented with a bibliography of
books on general gardening and bible plants, a listing of some
bible gardens around the world, and indexes to biblical
references and plant names. Not currently in print.
61.
ARB BS665.M6
Plants of the Bible. Harold N. Moldenke and Alma L.
Moldenke. Waltham, MA: Chronica Botanica Company, 1952. 328
p.
An impressive, comprehensive study of the specific
plants mentioned in the Christian and Hebrew scriptures. In
separate monographs, each prefaced by one or more relevant
biblical verses, the author considers the botanical, linguistic,
and religious aspects of 230 plants, and in the process offers
abundant details on historical agricultural practices and plant
usage, plant legends and superstitions, and in some cases, the
debate among previous writers over which plants are actually
referred to. Many types of plants are covered, including trees,
fruits, vegetables, and grains, both wild and domesticated flora,
and including a large share of "herbs" in their broad sense as
useful plants. Illustrated with copies of artwork, including
paintings and engravings from old herbals, florae, and other
texts. Contains an extensive bibliography of the sacred and
secular sources used, plus supplemental notes, and comprehensive
indexes to Bible verses, plant names, and general subjects.
Reprinted in 1986 by Dover Publications, New York. (261,272)
62.
NAL SB466.U7C563 1985
Sweet Herbs and Sundry Flowers: Medieval Gardens and the
Gardens of the Cloisters. Tania Bayard. New York:
Metropolitan Museum of Art; Boston, MA: David R. Godine,
1985. 97 p.
"An introduction to medieval herbs and garden
practices by way of the gardens of the Cloisters," a division of
the Metropolitan Museum of Art that recreates the design of a
medieval European monastery. Relates the role of gardening in
monastic communities and particular herbs medicinal,
sweet-smelling, and culinary used in the Middle Ages. Includes
planting diagrams and lists dozens of plants from the Cloister's
three gardens, including the unusual Trie Cloister Garden whose
plants are based on the Museum's Unicorn Tapestries. Contains
lively illustrations from works in the Museum's collections.
Well-researched, of interest to historians as well as herb
gardeners, with author's source notes and reading list. Not
currently in print.
64.
NAL QK13.G68
A Dictionary of English Plant Names (and Some Products of
Plants). Geoffrey Grigson. London: Allen Lane/Penguin Books,
1974. 239 p.
A guide to the origins of the familiar
English-language names of hundreds of plants, offering insights
on how people have viewed the characteristics of particular
plants, and how they were once used. With broad coverage of the
plant world, from seaweeds to trees, and including wild plants,
domesticated crops and garden flowers, as well as the plants of
literature. Numerous herb and spice plants, as well as the
products from these and other plants, are included. Entries
include scientific names, other English synonyms, and approximate
dates of introduction to Britain, plus notes on the history and
language origins of each name. The author tells us that thyme,
for instance, derives from a Greek word, meaning "to make a burnt
offering"; while pennyroyal, historically used as an insect
repellent, is a garbling of terms derived from the Latin, meaning
"flea-plant." A few plants are depicted in line drawings from
old herbals or florae. The foreward includes a brief explanation
of the languages, dialects, or literary sources mentioned. Not
currently in print.
65.
NAL QK11.S56 1992
Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners: A Handbook on the
Origin and Meaning of the Botanical Names of Some Cultivated
Plants. Rev. ed. William T. Stearn. London: Cassell
Pub-lishers, distributed by Sterling Publishing, 1992. 363 p.
A standard reference volume that includes numerous
herbs used as medicinals, flavorings, and other products. Brief
entries include name derivations, history, language origins,
plant family (for genus names), common names, and associated
mythology or plant lore; some entries include notes on historical
plant uses. The parts of botanical names (genus name and
specific epithet) are treated separately, thus for the herb known
as yarrow, there are entries for its botanical name, Achillea
millefolium, under Achillea (honoring the Greek
hero Achilles) and millefolium (meaning many- or
thousand-leaved). This book is the second revision of A.W.
Smith's A Gardener's Book of Plant Names, first published
in 1963. As was noted in the preface to the second edition
(1972), the author intended it as "a source of reference and
pleasure for all gardeners, who, however keen, find themselves
wondering at the botanical names attached to their plants."
Includes an introduction to the botanical conventions regarding
plant naming and classification, with correct Latin
pronunciations and a section on the origins of English plant
names. Supplemented with a bibliography and listing of common
plant names and associated botanical names. Also known as
Stearn's Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners.
Currently in print.
66.
NAL SB351.H5D85 1992
Handbook of Phytochemical Constituents of GRAS Herbs and
Other Economic Plants. James A. Duke. Boca Raton, FL: CRC
Press, 1992. [18], 654 p.
An important reference volume that compiles data on
the phytochemical constituents of approximately one thousand
plants, including most of the "generally recognized as safe"
(GRAS) herbs, many of the "medicinally important foods"
(designated as GRAF or "generally recognized as food"), and also
the
"strictly medicinal plants" (designated as GRAP or "generally
recognized as poisonous" (or medicinal) species). The acronyms
are those assigned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA). Entries are arranged by plant species name, each
accompanied by the standard common name and an alphabetical
listing of constituents derived from original or secondary sources, the
plant part analyzed, and when available, quantitative data.
Source information, codes used, and background information is
included in the introduction. (Available from 267) Available
also on disk as Database of Phytochemical Constituents of
GRAS Herbs and Other Economic Plants, NAL call no.
SB351.H5D853 1992. (A companion product, also compiled by Dr.
Duke, is Database of Biologically Active Phytochemicals and
Their Activities, NAL call no. RM666.H33D853 1992.)
67.
NAL QK96.H47 1992
Herbs of Commerce. Steven Foster, et al., eds. Austin,
TX: American Herbal Products Association, 1992. 78 p.
A compilation of common names "standardized" to
botanical names, to reduce nomenclatural problems in the herb
products trade. Includes 550 species names and 1800 cross
reference synonyms. With discussion and bibliography. (267)
68.
ARB SB45.B32 1976
NAL SB45.B32 1976
Hortus Third: A Concise Dictionary of Plants Cultivated in
the United States and Canada. Liberty Hyde Bailey and Ethel
Zoe Bailey, revised and expanded by The Staff of the Liberty Hyde
Bailey Hortorium. Preface by D.M. Bates. New York: Macmillan,
1976. 1290 p.
The standard, comprehensive reference work providing
"record of an astonishingly rich and diverse cultivated flora
from the botanic point of view for the horticultural community."
Included are more than 20,000 species (plus additional varietal
types) arranged in dictionary format by botanical name. With
common name and authority indexes and glossary of botanical
terms. Although more detailed than many gardeners need, this is
a useful source for the more ardent herb enthusiast seeking
botanical and taxonomic details. This massive work is the
culmination of research on the systematics of cultivated plants
that was initiated before the turn of the century by Liberty Hyde
Bailey. Updates Hortus Second (1941) and
Hortus (1930). (269)
69.
ARB SB407.G77 1994
NAL SB407.G77 1994
Index of Garden Plants. Mark Griffiths, ed. Portland,
OR: Timber Press, 1994. 1234 p.
Although it serves also as a freestanding work, this
comprehensive publication is actually an index to the British
work, The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of
Gardening. Its three aims (as cited in the introduction)
are to list currently accepted botanical names, synonyms, and
popular names for the 60,000 plants in cultivation, to briefly
described each one, and to demystify the ways that names arise
and sometimes change. In the main section, information on
species and cultivars is grouped with the respective genus, with
complete cross- referencing from common names. Entries include
family names, genus and species distributions, and synonyms, with
referral to the accepted name where the species is described.
Plant descriptions convey botanical and horticultural features,
including flower color and and flowering season, and notable
cultivars are
mentioned. This is an authoritative and invaluable guide for
comparing or verifying information on particular cultivated
herbs. Coverage is exhaustive; for example, the entry for
Artemisia names and describes 40 common and lesser-known
species of these useful or decorative herbs, plus additional
cultivars and varieties. Includes a section on the naming of
plants and detailed glossary of horticultural terms, with keys to
using the index. Known also as The RHS Index of Garden
Plants.
(267,271,279)
70.
NAL SB351.H5F435 1990
Artistically Cultivated Herbs: How to Train Herbs as
Decorative Art. Elise Felton. Santa Barbara, CA: Woodbridge
Press, 1990. 144 p.
A basic guide to the decorative possibilities of
herbs grown in containers, inside and out. Covers simpler
projects, such as herbs in a window box or strawberry jar, and
more challenging, including herbal standards, topiary, espalier,
and bonsai. For each topic there are step-by-step directions, a
listing of materials needed, and suggested plants and varieties.
Includes chapters on the principles and details of herb
cultivation and care, and propagation by seeds or cuttings.
Supplemented with a classified list of plants mentioned and list
of suppliers. Especially useful for (but not limited to) those
with small garden spaces. Text in large type with full-page
illustrations and diagrams. (261,276,293)
71.
NAL SB351.H5D43 1994
Growing Herbs From Seed, Cutting & Root. Thomas
DeBaggio. Loveland, CO: Interweave Press, 1994. 72 p.
Clear instructions on growing herb plants from an
experienced commercial grower. Topics include growing herbs from
seed (germination aspects, transplanting, and which herbs are
best from seed) plus vegetative propagation (stem cuttings,
layering, division the best methods and materials). Includes
many color photos and useful diagrams. Much useful data on
germination and growing characteristics is incorporated into
charts at the book's end. Contains an index and bibliography.
A good reference for the experienced home or commercial grower,
as well as beginners. (261,269,271,275,276,288,293)
72.
ARB SB351.H5S92
NAL SB351.H5S92
Herb Garden Design. Faith H. Swanson and Virginia B.
Rady. Hanover, NH: University Press of New England, 1984. 155
p.
Features more than 50 plans for simple, formal,
historical, and specialty gardens, with advice for design and
step-by-step creation and discussion of how to modify plans when
necessary. With detailed diagrams, the book is useful for the
novice as well as the more ambitious and experienced gardener.
Little emphasis is given to growing specific herbs or their uses.
Includes a bibliography, index to common and botanical names, and
glossary of horticultural terms. (261,293)
73.
NAL SB351.H5G54
Herb Gardening at Its Best: Everything You Need to Know About
Growing Your Favorite Herbs. Sal Gilbertie with Larry
Sheehan. New York: Atheneum (Macmillan), 1978; First Atheneum
Paperback ed., 1980. 245 p.
For novice and more advanced gardeners, a useful
single-volume work by an experienced, professional Connecticut
grower. Part 1 outlines briefly the utility of herbs. Part 2
tells how to create and maintain a basic garden of 15 culinary
herbs and how to propagate them. Part 3 offers advice and
simple designs for more than two dozen specialty gardens that
feature plants grown for a particular purpose or theme (for
instance, a mint garden, honeybee garden, or colonial garden). Part 4 is a reference
section with "vital statistics" for several dozen plant types and
varieties mentioned throughout the book, plus specific harvest
and storage details for the 15 basic culinary herbs covered in
Part 2. With numerous useful reference charts and diagrams
throughout. An appendix includes suppliers of herb seed and
plants, an index, and other useful information. (295)
74.
NAL SB463.G34 1992
Herb Topiaries. Sally Gallo. Loveland, CO: Interweave
Press, 1992. 63 p.
An attractive, diminutive work that explores the
decorative possibilities of herbs trained and trimmed into
ornamental shapes. Covers topiary basics, propagation,
maintenance, and suitable plants and containers. Includes
history and lore, plus culture details for a dozen suitable
herbs. With a bibliography, plus line drawings of each plant by
the author. (271,275)
75.
NAL SB351.H5A32
Landscaping with Herbs. James Adams. Portland, OR:Timber Press, 1987. 223 p.
A comprehensive, well-illustrated guide to herbs as
landscape plants, with emphasis on culinarily-useful plants.
Considers six garden themes, among them fragrant gardens, formal
gardens for beauty, informal landscapes, and wild landscapes.
For each theme, the text is divided into three sections. The
first section offers an overview of the style, with garden plans
and how herbs are used. The second describes herbs that might be
used in each garden, and the third depicts the features of a real
garden in each category. Supplemented with numerous color photos
and diagrams. Appendices include useful charts on garden
characteristics and landscape and herbal uses, plus an index and
bibliography. For the more experienced gardener. (279,295)
76.
NAL SB351.H5W52 1994
Landscaping with Herbs. Jim Wilson. Boston, MA: Houghton
Mifflin, 1994. 220 p.
An experienced grower and garden writer shares his
ideas on herb gardens intended mainly for their aesthetic and
sensory qualities. Design elements and suitable plants are
discussed for herb borders, fragrant gardens, container gardens,
kitchen gardens, and herbs grown in walls and pavings. There are
chapters on gray and silver herb gardens, gardening basics, and
herb harvest and preservation. Includes details on several dozen
plants especially effective in ornamental gardens, with
recommmended varieties. There are vivid full-page, color photos
throughout. An inspirational book for intermediate to advanced
gardeners; novices may need to supplement with a basic gardening
text, and some readers may be disappointed by the absence of
explicit, "how-to" garden designs or diagrams. Appendix provides
listings of common and botanical names of plants mentioned, mail-
order sources, USDA hardiness zone map, and index. (261,271,293)
77.
NAL SB351.H5K57 1992
Using Herbs in the Landscape: How to Design and Grow Gardens
of Herbal Annuals, Perennials, Shrubs, and Trees. Debra
Kirkpatrick. Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 1992. 232 p.
A practical, informative guide that focuses on the
ornamental properties of herbs. Includes information on herb
culture and garden design elements, with detailed profiles of
dozens of plants. Also offers plans for more than 20 herbal
theme gardens, including gardens featuring fragrant plants,
culinary herbs, historical herbs and vegetables, plus gardens for
"the five senses," container plantings, natural gardens, and
more. Supplemented with black-and-white drawings and diagrams, plus a
bibliography, list of suppliers, and index. (261)
78.
NAL SB351.H5P737 1994
Growing Herbs: For the Maritime Northwest Gardener. Mary
Preus. Seattle, WA: Sasquatch Books, 1994. 95 p.
A compact book that focuses on the special growing
conditions of the region west of the Cascade Range, from British
Columbia to northern California, for gardeners who wish to create
a low- maintenance herb garden or to integrate cooking herbs into
existing gardens. Covers two dozen specific herbs chosen mainly
for their culinary appeal, with garden designs and tips on
usage. Emphasizes "natural" methods for pest control and soil-building.
With color photos, and supplemented with listings of herb farms
and gardens in the region, commercial plant sources, and index.
From Cascadia Gardening Series. Contact the publisher for
availability (Sasquatch Books, 1008 Western Ave., Suite 300,
Seattle, WA 98104, telephone 206-467-4300).
79.
NAL SB351.H5L55
The Harrowsmith Illustrated Book of Herbs. Patrick Lima.
Camden East, Ontario: Camden House, distributed by Firefly Books,
1986. 175 p.
An informative guide to herb culture and usage,
especially suited to gardeners in the northern U.S. and Canada.
Discusses kitchen herbs and herbs for shade, gardening for
fragrance and color, and enhanced with garden plans and
descriptions of dozens of species. With numerous color photos
and illustrations, plus an index and list of suppliers in the
U.S., Canada, and England. This popular book has been reprinted
several times since first published in 1986. Currently in print.
80.
NAL SB351.H5M358 1992
Herb Gardening in Texas. 2nd ed. Sol Meltzer. Houston,
TX: Gulf Publishing Company, 1992.
87 p.
An introduction to general growing requirements
suited to the region, growing herbs indoors, propagation methods,
and harvesting herbs, with suggestions for using herbs in various
ways for fragrance, cooking, and health. Includes brief
descriptions of some 90 herbs, arranged by common name, including
remarks on specific culture and uses. Contains several charts
with reference information and vernacular names in several
languages, and an index, plus numerous illustrations, including
black-and-white photos and drawings and color plates. Currently
in print.
81.
NAL SB351.H5S26
Herbs for Northern Gardeners. Dave Sands. Edmonton,
Alberta: Lone Pine Publishing, 1992.
63 p.
For novices, a brief survey of herbs suited to Canada
and the northern U.S. For some two dozen herbs there are details
on varieties available and garden characteristics, plus an
historical overview, general cultivation notes, and advice on
using herbs in the kitchen. With a brief bibliography, plus
black-and- white drawings. Contact the publisher concerning
availability (Lone Pine Publishing, #206, 10426-81 Ave.,
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6E 1X5).
83.
NAL SB351.H5M57 1991
Herb Gardens in America: A Visitor's Guide. Karen S.C.
Morris and Lyle E. Craker. Amherst, MA: HSMP Press, 1991. 191
p.
Offers detailed descriptions of the major herb
gardens in the U.S., plus more condensed accounts of "all known
herb gardens open to the public." For each group, entries are
arranged by state, with background on history, special
attractions, and very detailed contact and access information,
including locations keyed to state maps. Information has been
gathered from personal visits and mailed surveys. (276)
84.
NAL SB351.H5T7 1988
Travelers' Guide to Herb Gardens: Over 500 Gardens in the
United States and Canada Featuring Herbs. 2nd ed. Mentor,
OH: Herb Society of America, 1988. 59 p.
This guide from the Herb Society of America (HSA)
lists public and herb private gardens by U.S. state or Canadian
province. Alphabetical entries are briefly annotated and keyed to
state or province locations. (Currently being revised; contact
the Society (see Section 9) for availability.)
86.
ARB SB434.A75
NAL SB434.A75
Herbaceous Perennial Plants: A Treatise on Their
Identification, Cultivation, and Garden Attributes. Allan M.
Armitage. Athens, GA: Varsity Press, 1989. 646 p.
A reference guide to more than 2700 herbaceous
perennials, many of them "useful herbs," that is especially
valuable for gleaning information on particular cultivars and
varieties. The entries, which are arranged by botanical name,
are very detailed and often include quick reference tables and
keys to differentiate closely related
species. With literature references for the specific plants or
plant groups considered, and books for general reading, plus a
glossary of horticultural terms and plant name indexes.
Supplemented with color plates and line drawings. (269,271,279)
87.
NAL SB324.3 D46
1994 The Organic Gardener's Home Reference: A Plant-by-Plant
Guide to Growing Fresh, Healthy Food. Tanya Denckla. Pownal,
VT: Storey Communications, 1994. 273 p.
Covers organic methods for growing herbs, vegetables,
fruits and nuts. Includes discussion of garden stewardship and
organic strategies for maintenance, and pest and disease control.
Several dozen herbs are treated individually and in reference
format, with details on growth requirements and harvesting and
including varietal availability and recommendations, and whether
they are open-pollinated. Supplemented with resource information
on suppliers of plants, seeds, and equipment, and state gardening
associations, plus a bibliography and index. Revised from the
author's Gardening at A Glance: The Organic Gardener's
Handbook on Vegetables, Fruits, Nuts, & Herbs (Franklin, WV:
Wooden Angel Publishing, 1991), NAL call no. SB324.3.D46. (278)
88.
ARB SB117.R46
NAL SB117.R46
Park's Success With Seeds. Ann Reilly Dines. Greenwood,
SC: George W. Park Seed Company, 1978. 364 p.
A useful reference for the herb gardener (and even
more so the gardener with interests extending beyond herbs).
Specific advice on individual herbs is provided in both of the
book's two main sections, the first covering "ornamentals," which
include a number of herbs of various types, and the second on
"edibles," this part including vegetables, fruits, and some three
dozen culinary herbs. For each plant there are notes on specific
germination requirements and culture, with brief notes on garden
habit, native distribution, uses, and harvest. Plants for
beginners are marked "easy." Each is pictured in color at its
seedling stage, and also as a mature plant. There are general
instructions and materials needed for sowing, germinating, and
transplanting. Supplemented with plant reference lists, plant
name indexes, plus a glossary and pronunciation guide for Latin
names. Although some aspects are dated (such as the U.S. and
Canadian hardiness zone map), and the color photos appear
washed-out by today's standards, the text is still practical and
timely. Currently out of print. (A book from the same publisher
that covers herbs exclusively is Park's Success with
Herbs, Section 2B.)
89.
NAL SB351.T37 1987
Taylor's Guide to Vegetables & Herbs. Gordon P. DeWolf,
Jr., ed. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin, 1987. 479 p.
A useful manual from Taylor's Guides to Gardening
Series, based upon the fourth edition (1961) of Taylor's
Encyclopedia of Gardening. Several dozen herbs, mostly
culinary, are described; color photographs with brief cultural
notes for each are linked to descriptive sections offering
specific advice on growing and harvesting. The latter section
includes a line drawing of each herb or vegetable. Includes
cultivar and varietal information and numerous charts detailing
garden attributes, cultivation needs, and herbal uses.
Supplemented with notes on dealing with particular pests and
diseases, plus a glossary of gardening terms, guide to plant
suppliers, and index. This book was reissued in 1995 by the
publisher (with sole focus on herbs and with greater coverage of
herb cookery, landscaping, and herbs for health) as Taylor's
Guide to Herbs, edited by Rita Buchanan, NAL call no.
IPM951206650. (Both available from 271)
90.
NAL TX819.H4B4
Cooking with Herbs. Susan Belsinger and Carolyn Dille.
New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1984. 261 p.
A collection of more than 200 recipes using common
herbs from the kitchen garden, also featuring herb cultivation,
harvest, and processing. The appendix lists mail-order herb
sources and includes an index and brief bibliography. With color
plates and black-and-white illustrations. Currently out of
print. (A newer book on the same topic from these authors is
Herbs in the Kitchen: A Celebration of Flavor (Loveland,
CO: Interweave Press, 1992). (275))
91.
NAL TX819.H4R6
Cooking with the Healthful Herbs: Over 300 No-salt Ways to
Great Taste and Better Nutrition. Jean Rogers. Emmaus, PA:
Rodale Press, 1983. 279 p.
Offers several hundred recipes using flavorful herbs
in place of sugar, salt, and fatty ingre-dients. Includes
background information on 40 culinary herbs, plus discussion of
health benefits of herbs and guidelines for growing and
preserving herbs. Supplemented with an index, bibliography, and
a handful of black-and-white drawings and color plates.
Currently out of print.
92.
ARB SB351.H5G75 1971
NAL SB351.H5G75 1971
Culinary Herbs and Condiments. M. Grieve. New York:
Dover Publications, 1971. 209 p.
A concise, practical guide to herbal cookery by a
well-known English herbarist, first published in the U.S. in
1934. Part 1 describes 33 sweet or culinary herbs, from angelica
to walnut, and offers general instruction on cultivation and
propagation. Part 2 consists of 63 recipes for making herbal
wines, beers, liquors and teas, and Part 3 considers some of the
more common condiments (mustard, peppers, oils) used
traditionally in English cooking. Includes an index. The 1933
first London edition from W. Heinemann, London, has NAL call
number 91.47 G87C. (The Dover edition is an unabridged reprint
from the 1934 edition from Harcourt, Brace and Company.)
(272,287)
93.
NAL TX406.S57 1994
Dictionary of Herbs, Spices, Seasonings, and Natural
Flavorings. Carole J. Skelly. New York: Garland Publishing,
1994. 484 p.
A comprehensive and detailed listing of hundreds of
herbs, spices, and other substances added to foods for flavor,
color, or other purposes. Entries are arranged in A-Z format by
common name; summaries range from a few lines to several
paragraphs, and include botanical names and additional common
names, with
extensive cross-referencing. Descriptions include notes on
historical uses, medicinal and other properties, toxic qualities,
and whether substances are "generally recognized as safe" (or
GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Includes
substances mentioned in old cookbooks that, for health reasons,
should not be used in foods. Supplemented with a listing of
flavorings associated with plant family names, and also botanical
genera, plus a bibliography of sources consulted. A useful
reference, especially for finding information on lesser-known
flavorings, identifying ingredients in spice mixtures, and
tracking down materials when only common names are known.
Currently in print.
94.
NAL TX406.E54 1992
The Encyclopedia of Herbs, Spices, & Flavorings: A Cook's
Compendium. Elizabeth Lambert Ortiz, ed. New York: Dorling
Kindersley, distributed by Houghton Mifflin, 1992. 288 p.
Designed with the cook in mind, offering
comprehensive coverage of the world of flavorings, encompassing
herbs, spices, vegetable and fruit flavorings, edible flowers and
leaves, sauces and condiments, and more. Provides detailed
culinary information on an extensive array of flavor enhancers,
with advice on usage and selected recipes. Includes description
of seasonings used in a number of specific cuisines, from the
Middle East to the South Pacific. Numerous color photos are a
valuable supplement to this handsome and informative volume.
Includes an index. (276)
95.
NAL TX819.H4G56 The
Flavor Secret: Using Herbs & Spices to Put Flavor Back into Low-
Fat, Low-Calorie, Low-Cholesterol Cooking. Judy Gilliard and
Joy Kirkpatrick. Minneapolis, MN: Chronimed Publishing, 1994. 248
p.
Emphasizes simple, time-saving recipes using herbs,
spices, and flavor extracts for preparing healthful and flavorful
foods. Recipes are organized by food category and include herb
spreads and appetizers, salads, pasta, seafood, poultry, meats,
pasta, vegetables, breads, and desserts. The text, without
illustrations, is supplemented with an index. Currently in
print.
96.
ARB TX819.H4 L49 1986
Herbal Delights: Botanical Information and Recipes for
Cosmetics, Remedies and Medicines, Condiments and Spices, and
Sweet and Savory Treats for the Table. C.F. Leyel. New York:
Gramercy, distributed by Crown Publishers, 1986. 429 p.
First published in 1937 with the more apt (but now
somewhat dated) title, Herbal Delights: Tisanes, Syrups,
Confections, Electuaries, Robs, Juleps, Vinegars, and
Conserves. According to the author's prefatory note, this
volume covers herbs "pleasant to the taste and that are used
either for culinary purposes or for brewing, distilling,
flavouring or for making tisanes." Herbs noted for "more
definitely medicinal properties" are not considered. The herbs
are grouped by their predominant use in the author's day (as pot
herbs, spices, perfumes, cordials), with notes on history, lore
and associated symbolism, where cultivated, and recipes based on
traditional English usage. Each description includes several
names in English vernacular, French, Italian, German, and
botanical Latin a unique feature. Of historical as well as
practical interest. With full-page line drawings of 30 herb
plants, plus an index. This edition is a reprint of the 1938
edition from Houghton Mifflin, Boston. NAL owns the first
limited edition (London: Faber and Faber, 1937), NAL call no.
452.8 L59, and several subsequent editions. Reissued in 1987
(with original title) and currently in print.
97.
NAL TX819.V5O84 1994
Herbal Vinegar. Maggie Oster. Pownal, VT: Storey
Communications, 1994. 172 p.
A definitive guide to cooking with vinegar and other
household uses. Topics include vinegar's ancient origins and
distinctions among present-day vinegar products, with step-by-
step directions for creating herb-, floral-, and fruit-flavored
vinegars, and dozens of suggestions for an array of practical
uses, including health aids and cosmetics. Growing the "best
vinegar herbs" is covered in a few pages only. More than 100
pages are devoted to recipes containing vinegar as an ingredient,
including sauces and pickles, as well as main dishes, appetizers,
desserts, and other foods. Includes sources for supplies and
herb plants and seeds, plus a reading list and index. With
black- and-white drawings. (261,271,273,276,293)
98.
NAL TX819.H4H4 F&N B-2727
Herbs and Spices, The Pursuit of Flavor. Waverly Root,
ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 1980.
191 p.
The culinary aspects of herbs and spices are the
topic of this informative book. Approximately 100 plants are
described, with geographical distributions, historical aspects,
and botanical and garden traits. For the temperate zone herbs,
there is advice for cultivation, propagation, harvest, and
storage. Supplemented with useful reference sections that
outline garden and usage characteristics, and specific recipes
for cooking with herbs and spices. Includes a guide to
seasonings used around the world. With an index and glossary
of botanical terms, plus black-and-white photos. Currently out of print.
99.
NAL SB351.H5D8
Living Liqueurs. James A. Duke. Lincoln, MA: Quarterman
Publications, 1985. 109 p.
This slim volume, packed with information on using
herbs from the home garden to make flavorful liqueurs, portrays
fifty herbal ingredients that the author has found to be "most
promising." For each herb there is information on cultivation,
common and esoteric uses, and folklore, including folk medicinal
usage, plus remarks on herbal safety and chemical constituents.
With line drawings for each plant covered, plus an index to folk
medicinal properties and uses, and bibliographic references. The
reader is treated also to Dr. Duke's herbal light verse.
Currently in print.
100.
NAL TX819.H4M83
Minnie Muenscher's Herb Cookbook. Minnie Worthen
Muenscher. Ithaca, NY: Comstock Publishing Associates, 1978. 241
p.
Contains hundreds of recipes featuring 40 herbs from
anise to thyme from the kitchen garden, plus suggestions for
cooking with 22 more herbs. Includes some of the lesser-known
cooking herbs and some unusual recipes, and offers general advice
for growing and preparing herbs for culinary use. With a
bibliography and indexes, plus black-and-white drawings. (295)
101.
NAL SB324.3.H57 1992
The Moosewood Restaurant Kitchen Garden. David P.
Hirsch. New York: Fireside Book/Simon & Schuster, 1992. 288
p.
Reviews the vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers
used at Moosewood Restaurant in Ithaca, New York, which
emphasizes fresh, locally-grown, and organically-grown produce.
Offers information on growing and harvesting requirements,
ornamental aspects, and culinary tips for a number of the more
common herbs and edible flowers, and explores garden design.
Includes 65 pages of recipes featuring specific herbs and
vegetables. Supplemented with an index, bibliography, and
mail-order source list. Currently in print.
102.
NAL TX819.H4O88 1993
Recipes from an American Herb Garden. Maggie Oster. New
York, Macmillan, 1993. 160 p.
A handsome publication offering a selection of
specific recipes using herbs to enhance a variety of foods;
arrangement is by food category. Includes general advice on herb
cultivation and usage, with brief descriptions of the utilities
of 51 culinary herbs. Augmented with resource information for
obtaining herbs and other supplies, plus a bibliography and
index. Illustrated with color photos and line drawings.
Currently in print.
103.
NAL TX406.F37 1990
Spices, Condiments, and Seasonings. 2nd ed. Kenneth T.
Farrell. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1990. 414 p.
Intended as a text book as well as technical
reference source on the uses of herbs and spices in food
technology. Part I consists of an overview of the history of
spices. Part II provides detailed information on 58 important
spices (including many popularly considered "herbs"), with names,
sources, physical and sensory characteristics, ingredients,
household and commercial uses, and more. Includes a photo of
each spice and drawing of each spice plant. Part III covers the
characteristics and uses of spice extractives and soluble spices.
Part IV deals with condiments and sauces, and Part V with
seasonings. (Each of these categories of food additives or
flavorings is defined from the food technologist's viewpoint.)
Includes a wealth of data on these topics, with useful charts and
synopses, and an extensive bibliography. The first edition
(Westport, CT: AVI Publishing, 1985) has NAL call no. TX406.F37.
Currently in print.
105.
NAL SB454.3.F7W55 1990
The Fragrant Path. Louise Beebe Wilder. Foreward by
Allen Lacy. New York: Collier Books (Macmillan), 1990. 407 p.
An influential work on the scented garden by a
highly-regarded American garden writer, first published in 1932,
and according to Allen Lacy, "a fine blend of the personal and
the scholarly." In Part 1 the author outlines the fragrant year,
with chapters on fragrant annuals, hardy shrubs, and climbers,
and on flowers for night-scented gardens, rock gardens,
attracting bees, and more (including "plants of evil odour").
Chapter 12 in this section covers aromatic herbs the
"nose-herbs." In Part 2 she considers wild scents, aromatic
grasses, ferns, mushrooms, and miscellaneous others; in all,
more than 1000 plants are depicted.
The text is supplemented with a bibliography and index.
Macmillan's 1932 edition, titled The Fragrant Path: A Book
About Sweet Scented Flowers and Leaves, has NAL call no.
97.2 W64F. The 1974 reprint from Dover Publications, reissued as
The Fragrant Garden, has ARB call no. SB454.W63
1974.
(271,272,287,290,295)
106.
NAL 450 P694 v.45 no.3
Gardening for Fragrance. Tania Bayard, ed. Brooklyn, NY:
Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, 1989. 96 p. (Handbook no. 121, Fall
1989, from the series Plants & Gardens, Brooklyn Botanic
Garden Record, vol. 44, no. 3.)
Consists of two dozen articles by noted herbal
experts on various topics relating to aromatic garden plants and
their uses. Topics include the biology of scent, a discussion of
plant types, landscaping considerations, preserving plant
fragrance, recommended books, and more. Contains color photos
and black-and-white illustrations. (270,271,295)
107.
ARB SB405.C6 1970
NAL SB405.C6 1970
Gardening for Fragrance: Indoors and Out. Nelson Coon.
New York: Hearthside Press, 1970.
239 p.
Provides an account of the history and role of
fragrance and fragrant plants for the human species, including
the use of scented plant materials in religion and therapy, and
with a chapter on "invisible gardens" designed for visually
impaired persons. One-half of the book consists of description
of a vast array of scented flora for garden and home use,
including trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, annuals, "heady
herbs," bulbs, and more. This portion includes plants for the
greenhouse, the evening gardening, and the malodorous garden.
With black-and-white photographs, plus an index and bibliography
of older works. This book was first published as Fragrance
and Fragrant Plants for House and Garden (Grandview, MI:
Diversity Books, 1967), NAL call no. SB405.C6 and ARB call no.
SB405.C728. Not currently in print.
108.
ARB SB351.H5B75 1978
Herbs and the Fragrant Garden. 3rd ed. Margaret
Brownlow. London: Darton, Longman, and Todd, 1978. 223 p.
A classic work on fragrant plants, first published
privately in Great Britain in 1957, then revised and enlarged
commercially in 1963. The book offers descriptions of more than
300 plants, including trees, shrubs, and herbaceous flora, in
alphabetic sequence by common name, with notes on their garden
attributes, uses, distribution, and culture. Includes chapters
on herb garden design, the quest for fragrant plants, and the
history, culture, and uses of scented herbs. Contains also a
reference section with flowering times for northern hemisphere
plants, and lists of aromatic shrubs and North American herbs.
Both charming and informative, with the author's poems and her
color illustrations of mature plants (32 plates). With indexes to
common and botanical names. The second editon (New York:
McGraw-Hill, 1963) has NAL call no. 97.21 B82. Not currently in
print.
109.
NAL TT899.4.D84
Natural Fragrances: Outdoor Scents for Indoor Uses. Gail
Duff. Pownal, VT: Storey Communications, 1989. 153 p.
A practical, idea-filled guide for preserving the
essences of fragrant herbs and flowers. Contains directions for
making potpourri, sachets, moth deterrents, scented candles, and
other useful and decorative items, with descriptions of various
potpourri ingredients and more than three dozen specific recipes
and general guidelines. Useful garden plants as natural sources
for aromatic materials are noted, although otherwise there is
little emphasis on the garden aspects of scented plants.
Includes an index and list of craft suppliers in the U.S.,
Canada, and the U.K. Supplemented with color photos. (295)
110.
ARB SB301.G46
NAL SB301.G46
Scented Flora of the World. Roy Genders. New York: St.
Martin's Press, 1977. 560 p.
An interesting account of scented plants, with
encyclopedic coverage. Part 1 covers the history of
fragrant flora and classification of scents, and the extraction
of scented principles. Part 2, the body of the book, is an
alphabetical guide to hundreds of types of plants and their parts
(including trees and shrubs, flowers, herbs, and bulbs), each
entry arranged by plant genus name. Contains black-and-white
photos, plus a bibliography and index. Not currently in print.
111.
ARB SB454.3.F7V47 1981
NAL SB454.3.F7V47
The Scented Garden. Rosemary Verey. New York: Van
Nostrand Reinhold, 1981. 167 p.
A handsome and informative portrayal of the scented
garden, from a well-known English garden writer. Plants featured
include roses, flowering annuals, biennials, and perennials,
bulb-forming and similar plant types, herbs, shrubs, trees and
climbers, and "fragrant exotica" suited to greenhouse conditions.
Special topics include bee and butterfly plants, container
gardening, herb garden designs, and "herbal receipts and
conceits," the latter consisting of protocols for preserving and
using herbs in the home. An appendix offers lengthy lists of
plants with special features (such as scented leaves or flowers)
or for particular seasons or purposes. Includes a plant source
list for the U.S. and U.K., with a bibliography citing a number
of older publications on fragrant plants, and an index. With
full-page color illustrations and black-and-white photos.
Reissued in 1989 from Random House, New York, as The Scented
Garden: Choosing, Growing and Using the Plants That Bring
Fragrance to Your Life, Home and Table. Currently in print.
112.
NAL SB454.3.F7S68
The Scented Garden: How to Grow and Use Beautiful Plants to
Create a Harmony of Fragrances for Garden and Home. David
Squire and Jane Newdick. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1988 (1989
printing). 205 p.
The plants considered in this book are grouped according to
their uses in particular situations, and unlike other
publications described in this section are classified also by
scent type (such as sweet, fruity, mint, honey, resin). Topics
include plants for daytime or nighttime scent, for pathways, rock
and water gardens, herb gardens, flower borders, indoor gardens,
and more. Supplemented with useful charts for each section, and
includes a chapter with ideas for using fragrant plants inside
the home. With a source list for plants and seeds, plus index,
and numerous color photos throughout. (277)
113.
NAL TT899.4.O47 1986
The Scented Room: Cherchez's Book of Dried Flowers,
Fragrance, and Potpourri. Barbara Milo Ohrbach with Anne
Marie Cloutier. New York: Clarkson Potter, distributed by Crown
Publishers, 1986. 132 p.
The author shares her knowledge of and delight in
growing and using fragrant plants, with primary emphasis on how
to use them once they're in hand. Topics covered include making
potpourris, wreaths, pomanders, scented waters, and other items,
and decorating with herbal and floral materials. The basics of
growing, gathering, and drying garden herbs are covered in a
single chapter. Includes a lengthy bibliography on herbs and
fragrant plants, and also gardening in general, with lists of
gardens in the U.S. and Britain, plus an index and listing of
mail-order suppliers. Supplemented with numerous color photos.
Author Orhbach is owner of Cherchez, a New York firm that sells
dried flowers and herbal essences. Currently in print.
114.
NAL TT854.3.M38 1993
Colors from Nature: Growing, Collecting, and Using Natural
Dyes. Bobbi A. McRae. Pownal, VT: Storey Communications,
1993. 160 p.
For beginners and also those more experienced, this
book is intended to serve as a guide to experimentation with
natural plant dyes, rather than one offering specific recipes.
It covers the materials and principles of dyeing fibers, and
particular dyes and where to get them, including those that can
be gathered wild, garden-grown, or purchased from a grocery store
or by mail. Included are directions for a dozen craft projects,
with mail-order suppliers and a bibliography. Contains
black-and-white drawings and diagrams, and color plates, plus an
index. Step-by-step instructions make this a more practical book
for getting started with natural dyes than is Buchanan's text
(no. 116 below), which offers broader historical and botanical
narrative on traditional dye and textile plants. (261,293)
115.
NAL 450 P694 v.46, no.2
Dyes from Nature. Rita Buchanan, ed. Brooklyn, NY:
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1990. 96 p. (Handbook no. 124, Summer
1990, from the series Plants & Gardens, Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Record, vol. 46, no. 2.)
Consists of 30 articles by experts on various aspects
of natural dyeing and dye plants. Topics range from dyeing
traditions around the world, to historical aspects, growing your
own indigo, dyeing with wild plants, weeds, flowers, and
mushrooms, safety aspects of dyeing, and more. Includes a
bibliography and source list for dye supplies and dye plants.
With color photos. (270)
116.
NAL TT848.B76
A Weaver's Garden. Rita Buchanan. Loveland, CO:
Interweave Press, 1987. 230 p.
The plants traditionally associated with weaving and
textiles are the subject of this book, intended for the gardener,
artisan, or historian. The text covers plant-derived fibers,
dyes, soaps, fragrances (for scenting or preserving fabrics), and
tools. Each topic is discussed in terms of the botany,
chemistry, and history of each product group, with clear
presentation of technical aspects, plus guidelines for use (how
to dye yarn or to make soap, for instance), detailed descriptions
of the plant sources and their garden attributes, and a useful
reference list for further re