title: The Essential Herbal for Natural Health: How to Transform Easy-to-Find Herbs into Healing Remedies for the Whole Family
author:  Holly Bellebuono 
description: &ldquo;A balanced, basic introduction to creating herbal medicines; recommended.&rdquo;&mdash;<i>Library Journal</i> <br><br>&ldquo;Inspirational. This book is an excellent start for someone who is just beginning to use herbs.&#160; Beautifully produced on cream paper with soft green illustrations, it makes herbs and their remedies both accessible and appealing and encourages you to respect the lore of generations by passing on what you learn.&rdquo;&mdash;<i>Juno</i> magazine (UK) <br><br>&ldquo;Written in the warm open style of the best of the herb classics, <i>The Essential Herbal for Natural Health</i> embraces the art of kitchen and backyard medicine and anchors it firmly to hearth and home. An eminently practical guidebook filled with Holly&rsquo;s favorite herbal recipes, healthful hints, and practical suggestions, <i>The Essential Herbal</i> is also an inspiring and powerful treatise on this ancient healing tradition.&rdquo;&mdash;Rosemary Gladstar, author of <i>Rosemary Gladstar&rsquo;s Family Herbal</i> <br><br>&ldquo;A treasure trove of simple recipes and ideas for healthy living for the whole family. Holly&rsquo;s love of the natural world and of the healing power of the plants around her is contagious! It will undoubtedly inspire readers in their own backyard herbalism adventures.&rdquo;&mdash;Amanda Blake Soule, author of <i>The Rhythm of Family</i> <br><br>&ldquo;A fascinating compendium of herbal formulas for every common problem, from cradle cap to athlete&rsquo;s foot. Something for everyone here.&rdquo;&mdash;Susun Weed, author of the Wise Woman Herbal series
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  10  Essential Herbs for Lifelong Health
  Barbara Heller, M. S. W
  .
  
  CONTENTS
  W
  hy Use Herbs?
  Choosing and Using Natural Remedies
  Ten Essential Herbs
  Calendula
  Chamomile
  Echinacea
  Garlic
  Ginger
  Lavender
  Lemon Balm
  P eppermint
  St.  -J ohn’ s-W
  ort
  Valerian
  
  W
  hy Use Herbs?
  Throughout the ages, plants have served a multitude of uses for
  human survival. Ethnobotany, the study of plant lore and agricultural
  customs, has provided us with rich evidence of the ways different
  cultures have traditionally used plants to feed and nourish, house
  and clothe, inform and educate, and treat and heal bodies and
  spirits.
  These days, people increasingly are using natural remedies for
  health and healing. Polls show that more than 30 percent of the U .S.
  population has recently used one of the many alternative therapies,
  which include herbal medicine, chiropractic, acupuncture, and
  massage. In fact, N orth American consumers spend more than $ 3.2
  billion a year on herbal remedies, and that number conti