Herbs for All Seasons

This comprehensive guide to herbs will intrigue the casual reader and delight the true enthusiast with its wealth of folklore and factual information. Freeman, a food and gardening writer, details the long and venerable history of the medicinal (and magical) use of herbs, p. 14 which many believe originated in ancient Egypt, Sumeria and China. One bit of herbal astrology stated that each part of the body was governed by a different planet, as were the herbs employed to treat ailments in the corresponding body parts. Freeman offers many home remedies along with sensible caveats (``bear in mind . . . that in taking botanicals, one is still dealing with chemicals'') p. 44 . She provides a ``kitchen cure'' for the common cold and the herb feverfew as an antidote to migraine headaches; arthritis, she suggests, can be treated with dandelion and stinging nettle. Freeman even supplies tips for lowering cholesterol and high blood pressure. Included are food recipes where herbs are prominent, and herbal preparations for skin and hair care. (Mar.)