Herbs

This title takes the reader through the magical world of herbs and spices and into the garden. Unlike other herb books, it highlights functionality, illustrating the multitude of uses to which herbs and spices can be put and offering practical advice on planting and maintaining a herb garden. Most people are familiar with the common herbs that we use in the kitchen, which add energy, vitamins and flavour to our cooking: chives, basil, rosemary and dill, to name a few. These herbs form part of the ingredients of several dishes, and are also used in herbal oils and herbal vinegar. Even some 'weeds', such as nettle or sorrel, can be eaten and used in soups and sauces and to spice up dishes. Certain herbs are poisonous, but in the right dosages even these poisons have healing properties. Other herbs are used as remedies for ailments or as a soothing balm on a painful wound. Others are used in soaps and detergents. Colour-giving herbs give fabrics a natural colour. Incense and potpourris of aromatic herbs repel bad odours.