With 550 key herbs and their uses as natural remedies for nearly 200 common ailments. Information on habitat and cultivation, parts used, active constituents, therapeutic properties, and traditional and current uses are described in a unique photographic plant index, and instructions on growing, harvesting, and processing your own home treatments are detailed. With its jargon-free text, fantastic photography, and focus on safety, this guide enables ease of understanding no matter what your level of herbal expertise.

Includes bibliographical references (page 322) and indexes.

Introduction -- The development of herbal medicine -- How medicinal plants work -- Active constituents -- Quality control -- Early origins to the 19th century -- 20th century onward -- Herbal traditions of the world -- Key medicinal plants -- Other medicinal plants -- Herbal remedies for home use -- Growing medicinal plants -- Harvesting & processing -- Making herbal remedies -- Using herbal remedies safely -- Remedies for common ailments -- Consulting an herbal practitioner.