Healing Plants of the Bible: History, Lore & Meditations

Vincenzina Krymow, author of Mary's Flowers: Gardens, Legends and Meditations, extends his interest in the spiritual significance of flora in his new book, Healing Plants of the Bible: History, Lore, and Meditations. The Old and New Testaments mention more than 125 different plants, and Krymow attempts to group them into categories, explaining their history, associations and healing powers. This is a simple and informative book, offering little-known facts. Cumin and anise, for example, were ""tithing herbs"" in ancient Israel, and there are actually several different plants that can be called ""balm of Gilead."" (Aug.)