Adele Dawson's "Herbs: Partners in Life" is a great garden companion. There is much detail on the art of gardening, cooking, and healing with wild plants. It serves itself up as a great read and a source for quick information.
I liked Dawson's voice. She conveyed much reverence--not only for the plants, but for the reader as well. I enjoyed the well-placed historical anecdotes, and came away feeling enriched.
One of my favorite stories centers around the 17th century pastor, Cotton Mather. During his time, if a woman was caught dabbling with herbs, she was accused of witchcraft and often hung or burned at the stake. However, Pastor Mather praised the 'gentlewoman' that kept a closet of 'harmless' herbs. He, himself, encouraged his congregation to chew on the 'Bible leaf' herb, costmary, because it had a stimulant effect and was often the only thing that would keep his listeners awake through his lengthy, and dare I say boring, sermons.
"Herbs: Partners in Life" brims with beautiful and detailed illustrations of each herb and flowering plant. Dawson also provides natural remedies for a spectrum of ailments from high blood pressure to bronchitis, with simple instructions and the occasional song or blessing.
Make "Herbs: Partners in Life" your partner in the garden, and start using wild plants to enhance your quality of life.
