A City Herbal
by Maida Silverman
Ash Tree Publishing 1990
PB 181
ISBN# 1-888123-001
Review by Christina Francine
http://www.CFrancine.bizland.com
Live in the city, but daydream about harvesting
healthy herbs? You’d plant your own if only there
was a place to grow them. What is a city dweller to do?
Well, you go wild crafting (picking wild herbs) like country
folk, that’s what. Where, you say? No need to take
a long drive. Look around your area. Chances are those
plants crafty enough to sprout between slabs of concrete
or vacant lots are more than a “weed.” Now,
you say I see plants, but how do I know what is safe?
You need a reference, right? That’s where Silverman’s
book comes in.
Silverman longed for a fantasy garden once
from her city home and attempted a modest version, yet
it didn’t work out. Then, she realized one-day greenery
already grew around her, and so, her study and involvement
began. She realized later that there had to be others
who felt as she did and thus wrote “A City Herbal.”
Hardy herbs/weeds manage to grow in cities.
Silverman chose thirty-four plants special to her and
included them in her book. She’d like others to
realize that even in crowded areas with generous acres
of buildings, and blacktop, special plants are found.
These hardy inhabitants aren’t a weed to be spurned,
but often offer natural aide and beauty. Silverman narrows
the vast spectrum down to the most common.
Many herbal books are on the market, but
how many are specifically for city-folk?
The Book Contains:
| -Author’s Notes
-Acknowledgements
-Introduction
-Bittersweet
-Blackberry
-Bouncing Bet
-Burdock
-Butter-and-Eggs
-Chicory
-Clover, Red
-Clover, White
-Daisy
-Dandelion
-Dock -Golden Rod
-Ground Ivy
-Japanese Knotweed
-Lady’s Thumb
-Lamb’s Quarters
-Mexican Tea
-Milkweed
|
-Motherwort
-Mugwort
-Mullein
-Mustards
-Plantain
-Poison Ivy
-Pokeweed -Prickly Lettuce
-Queen Anne’s Lace
-Ragweed
-Shepherd’s Purse
-Sorrel
-Saw Thistle
-Wild Sumac
-Yarrow
-Appendix
-Glossary
-Selected
-Bibliography
-Index |
Silverman raises fine points and provides
information and sketches of herbs often found between
cemented dwellings. She offers inspiration for those aching
for access to natural plants.
Readers, whether city or country, will find
Silverman’s book useful in becoming acquainted with
wild herbs. She’s done her homework. Her compilation
is a useful and organized handbook in alphabetical order.
She thoughtfully provides a glossary for quick study with
meanings of herbal terms and a quick-find index.
I appreciate Silverman’s book, and
even though I live in the country, will use it.
Christina Francine's published
work has appreared in magazines, newsletters, newspapers,
and the Internet. Fiction includes Fantasy, Children's,
and Suspense. Non-fiction includes Herbs, Horses, Tips
and Public-Awareness. She's published multiple book reviews
for authors, publishers, and publications. Also software
reviews.
As an advocate for migrainers she offers
information, help and LINKS at
www.cfrancine.bizland.com
http://www.cfrancine.bizland.com/page18.html
Her Motto: "Pursue Your Dreams and Live!"
If you are interested in purchasing a copy
of A City Herbal by Maida Silverman
please visit Ash Tree Publishing
http://www.ashtreepublishing.com/
An excerpt from
Super Supplements for Skin, Body & Mind
by Dalia Santina, Ph.D.
From the chapter on the herb Dandelion
Dandelion is also restoring, preserving,
clearing, balancing and has anti-inflammatory properties
as well as some potential for fighting cancer (it stimulates
white blood cells). It helps reduce cholesterol levels,
and is good for anemia, gout, rheumatism, abscesses, fluid
retention, constipation, and breast tumors.
Dandelion contains high amounts of potassium
(an electrolyte and a natural salt) which is why it acts
as a good diuretic that helps the function of the kidneys.
In fact, dandelion’s diuretic and laxative effects
help stimulate excretion of urea, while its bitter qualities
help remove fats from the liver and the blood. Dandelion
is also high in calcium which makes it a good alternative
for those who can not tolerate dairy foods. It is also
rich in choline, a factor of the B-complex vitamin that
is so important for liver health. This is why dandelion
can greatly help the liver do its job properly, i.e.,
detoxify and purify the blood by filtering clotting substances,
drugs, hormones and any toxic accumulations.
Main benefits:
Dandelion enhances bile flow which is essential for liver
function and immune health. Studies have shown that dandelion
prevents or treats congestion and inflammation of the
liver , thus helping prevent cirrhosis, as well as the
gall bladder, helping prevent the formation of gallstones.
Due to its liver healing effects, dandelion has been used
in medical practice to successfully treat hepatitis, swelling
of the liver, jaundice, and dyspepsia with deficient bile
secretion.
Other uses: Dandelion
has the ability to help do the following:
• Strengthen the kidneys to remove
excess water from the body without the depletion of potassium.
• Stabilize blood sugar level that
may, otherwise, lead to unhealthy eating patterns and
hypoglycemic symptoms such as fatigue and irritability.
• Clear the complexion from blemishes,
age spots, and other skin problems caused by toxic liver
or digestive problems such as acne, blisters and warts.
• Relieve constipation, headaches,
joint pain, arthritis, spleen ailments, edema, chronic
fatigue syndrome (CFS), and anemia.
• Reduce the frequency of gall bladder
attacks.
• Improve appetite as well as heal
minor digestive problems.
• Facilitates absorption of fat including
fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K and the carotenes) which
is essential for energy and strong immune system.
• Help fight cancer.
In general, dandelion root is good for all
kinds of liver and gallbladder problems. It actually rejuvenates
the entire body....
About the author:
Dalia Santina, Ph.D., is a dedicated
international author, licensed aesthetician, nutrition
consultant, aromatherapist and iridologist. She earned
her doctorate in Holistic Nutrition from the Clayton College
of natural health, with an emphasis on natural healing
therapies. In keeping with her major interests in nutrition/beauty
research and education, Dr. Santina was awarded numerous
training diplomas and certificates from leading American
and European aesthetic schools and cosmetic companies.
Her many years of experience in running her successful
skin-care business "Dalia's Skin Club", led
to the publication of her two books "Holistic
Skin is…IN" and "Super Supplements
for Skin, Body & Mind". Other books on related
issues are to be published in the near future. Through
her well-received seminars, Dr. Santina updates both,
the public and professionals (skin/hair/nail) on the very
latest in nutrition and aesthetics. Dr. Santina has been
a welcome guest on KDOCTV. She has also been featured
in some of the most prestigious skin care and fashion
publications including Skin Inc., and Dermascope magazines.
Dr. Dalia Santina is listed in Marquis Who’s Who
for the year 2002.
Go to http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/november03/bookpreview.htm
to read an excerpt from Holistic Skin is...
In by Dalia Santina, Ph.D.