Herbal Handbook

Did you know woodruff was used as a room freshener in the Middle Ages; that crushed bergamot leaves can soothe bee stings; and that dried fenugreek seeds were found in the tomb of King Tutankhamen?

This delightful, informative gift book offers portraits and information for fifty herbs curated by experts at the New York Botanical Garden. The herbs are organized alphabetically, and each herb is portrayed with a rare botanical illustration showing the seed, stem, flower, and leaf structure. The accompanying text provides detail on the history of the herb, how to grow it, and how it has been and is now used in daily life. At the end of each profile is a recipe or project for anything from soups, salads, cocktails, and syrups to tinctures, teas, and shrubs to potpourri and sachets.

So cleanse your face with calendula when you wake up, sip a bergamot tea at breakfast, have a lovage tuna sandwich for lunch, and mix a caraway cocktail at the end of the day. Let these herbs delight your senses as they have done for thousands of years.