As ususal, Llewellyn's almanac explores a topic with broad appeal - herbs for 2004 - discussed from many perspectives, some very informed some not so informed. Those with a strong background may find less of interest than those just beginning to grasp the complexities of `herbs' which can actually be almost any plant. The amazing thing about any plant is that it may be an herb waiting to be discovered or as is more frequently the case a plant that was known in past times for medicinal or other health and beauty related properties. Most of us think of rosemary, thyme, parsley, sage, and lavender as herbs, but dandelions, nettles, nasturtiums and sweet violets also may be classified as herbs owing to their various uses. Furthermore, although cloves, cinnamon, and olive oil are not technically herbs (from a "scientific" standpoint) at least one author in this compendium lists them as such.
The almanac contains these sections - `Growing and Gathering Herbs'; `Culinary Herbs'; `Herbs for Health'; `Herbs for Beauty'; `Herb Crafts' and `Herb History, Myth and Magic'. Selected essays in each section are useful, although I would recommend one consult a second (Rodale's ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HERBS); third (Penelope Ody's COMPLETE MEDICINAL HERBAL); or fourth (Andrew Chevallier's ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MEDICINAL PLANTS) source before using herbs for medicinal purposes.
The most interesting section from my perspective can be found in the `Herbs for Health' section where Scott Appell's essay "Growing the Medicinal herbs of Latin America" appears. According to the biography in the almanac, Appell is formerly director of education for the Horticultural Society of New York and currently is director for the St. George Village Botanical Garden on St. Croix, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Appell is also a board member of the American Violet Society, and has a few things to say about that lovely plant.
Although these Llewellyn almanacs appear dated (this for 2004) the dated material only fills 20 pages of a book 300+ pages long. The Llewellyn almanacs are compindiums of essays on a particular topic (this year herbs) written by various authors many of whom have published elsewhere. This is a good place to start reading about herbs and getting to know new authors.
