As a student of Chinese Medicine with interest in growing medicinal herbs, this book is a coveted companion and guide. Neatly organized and expertly explained. Peg cares to get reliable source information and has years of experience in a field where few have been brave enough to venture. Her farm and passion are sources of inspiration and I am so grateful for the guidance.This book is well thought out with the care and craft of a seasoned gardener. For casual readers, determined growers, students and savants, needs are met with a practical and informative approach, easily understood and absorbed for growing at any skill level. Photos clearly convey the important details and imagery that other texts have yet to provide. Helpful charts are included with information that would take years (if not lifetimes) to otherwise compile. Peg has done the extensive footwork for us and passes on informational seeds for us to grow beautiful, effective, healthy, healing botanicals.
For students, this is a priceless resource to deepen our studies and understanding of how the medicine grows and thrives. Understanding the process and background of cultivation is essential to a well-rounded education in herbal medicine.
THANK YOU PEG SCHAFER!!!
It is clearly written, beautifully and helpfully illustrated, and well laid out. The descriptions of the plants include Chinese names as well as Western ones, their uses in Chinese herbal preparations, recipes if the herbs have culinary uses, and extensive instruction on cultivation and processing. The many tables add to the book's usefulness, and include a table listing plants by invasive potential, which is a concern of mine, as it is a global problem as the immune system of local ecosystems becomes increasingly weakened by pollution and soil depletion. This table alone is witness to the author's thoroughness and care. An outstanding contribution to the field.See, this was the quandary. My wife loved gardening and I loved herbs--for their medicinal and tonic uses, but not growing them. It seemed that we were worlds apart in our interests.
But, along came this new book that tied together gardening (or farming) and Chinese medicinal herbs! I bought a few copies, one for us and one as a present, and, lo and behold! My wife and I were more or less on the same page concerning growing things for the first time in years.
This book is wonderful for several reasons:
1. The herbs are listed by their Latin names, their English names (if they have one), and several varieties of their Chinese names.
2. Ms. Schafer lists the common medicinal uses of each herb.
3. She gives the climate they like and which other plants they like to be near.
4. Clear color photos of each herb accompany the write up of each herb.
5. Sources of herbs, books, and affiliated organizations can be found in the back of the book.
6. Last but not least, Ms. Schafer is available for phone consultations at a reasonable price.
I consider this book a breakthrough for gardeners and farmers in North America and also an important reference guide for all who love herbs, especially Asian herbs.This is a beautiful book! It is a dream to own such a thorough and comprehensive guide to growing Chinese Herbs. Peg Schafer has surpassed anything I have ever seen or expected to see on the subject. What an amazing life's project filled with dedication. The pictures of the herbs in various stages and settings are delightful. The advice based on her experience of growing Chinese herbs is so appreciated. The tables and inserts have been immensely helpful, as has all the information on botanical names, description, propagation, culture, harvest, medicinal uses, special notes and so much more.
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