Copyright © 2014 by Stephen Orr All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Clarkson Potter/Publishers, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House LLC, New York, a Penguin Random House Company. www.crownpublishing.com www.clarksonpotter.com CLARKSON POTTER is a trademark and POTTER with colophon is a registered trademark of Random House LLC. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Orr, Stephen The new American herbal/Stephen Orr.—1st ed. Includes index. 1. Herbs—Handbooks, manuals, etc. 2. Herbs—Utilization—Handbooks, manuals, etc. 3. Herbals. I. Title. SB351.H5O77 2014 615.3′21—dc23 2013043040 ISBN 978-0-4498-1993-7 eBook ISBN 978-0-44981994-4 Interior and cover photographs by Stephen Orr Cover design by Marysarah Quinn v3.1 FOR CHAD, AS ALWAYS CONTENTS INTRODUCTION AN HERBAL HANDBOOK HERB BASICS Herbal Properties Get to Know the Major Herb Families What Gives Herbs Their Flavor? Harvesting Herbs Propagating Herbs Herb-Drying Techniques HERBAL PREPARATIONS Extraction Processes Working with Essential Oils GARDEN PROJECTS A Hanging Herb Garden for a Small Space Make a Tabletop Herb Garden How to Make an Herb Topiary KITCHEN PROJECTS Herbs for Vinegars and Oils Herbal Beverages Homemade Dried Spice Blends Salad Herbs SPECIALTY HERBS Native American Herbs Chinese Medicinal Herbs Trees and Shrubs Used as Herbs Herbs from Older Traditions Controversial Herbs Tropical Herbs HERBS A TO Z Agrimony Alexanders Alfalfa Alkanet Allspice Aloe Angelica Anise Anise Hyssop Arnica Artemisia Asafetida Astragalus Balm of Gilead Basil Bay Bayberry Bee Balm Belladonna Betony Black Cohosh Borage Burdock Burnet Butcher’s Broom Calamint Calendula Caraway Catmint and Catnip Chamomile Chervil Chives Chrysanthemum, Garland Cilantro/Coriander Colchicum Coltsfoot Comfrey Costmary Cowslip Culantro Cumin Curry Leaf Dill Echinacea Elecampane Epazote Fennel Fenugreek Feverfew Foxglove Garlic Geranium, Scented Ginseng Gotu Kola Hemlock, Poison Hop Horehound Horseradish Hyssop Indigo Jasmine Lavender Lemon Balm Lemon Verbena Lemongrass Licorice Lovage