Few areas of contemporary life remain untouched by the beneficial use of herbs. Combining the expertise of well-known herbalist Deni Brown and London's Chelsea Physic Garden, Herbal is a guide to the 150 most important herbs in use today, presented as an A-Z, with the traditional Latin names complemented by the more accessible current or colloquial tags. With a foreword by Sue Minter, curator of the Chelsea Physic Garden (founded in 1673), and packed with essential facts on their cultivation and abundant medicinal, culinary and cosmetic, Herbal provides an intimate portrait of the histories and mysteries of each of these 150 herbs. In addition, Deni Bown explores, through sixteen special thematic features, traditional and contemporary uses for an even wider array of herbs grouped together as herbal relaxants, stimulants, aphrodisiacs, colourings, salads, tonics and more. Herbal is rich with images and anecdotes that bring each herb to life. Gloriously illustrated with photographs specially commissioned from the author and with botanical plates, many taken from the Chelsea Physic Garden's own historic herbals, this is a source book for mind, body and soul, as well as a guide for those who would like to cultivate their own herb garden. It will appeal to the expert and to the novice, and to all who appreciate the natural beauty of herbs.