A volume that provides the information you need to use the earth's wonderful bounty of medicinal plants confidently, effectively, and above all, safely. It examines 100 of the most widely used, most easily available, most familiar and most fascinating medicinal plants, tracing their history, folklore, and healing properties and summarising the latest scientific research on their many benefits. It also explains where to find the herbs, how to take them, store and prepare them, even how to grow them. There is an easy-to-use A-to-Z herb encyclopedia, plus sections titled Prevention and A Fast-Action Guide to Using the Healing Herbs, Conditions - from ear infection to stress - A-to-Z conditions and the herbs you can use to treat and prevent specific symptoms and diseases; Healing Actions - from antibiotic to sedative; an A-to-Z list of medicinal uses with herbs as a natural alternative to certain medicines; Other Uses - some unusual uses for the healing herbs, for example as insect repellent or memory improvement. There’s also special precautions about certain herbs, whether in preparation, long-term use or short-term effects.