Herbal medicine is holistic in its approach: it aims to treat the underlying causes of illness as well as the actual symptoms. Herbs have always played a key role in physical and emotional health and wellbeing, and this book explains their diverse uses. Illustrated with over 180 photographs, it shows how herbs can help to ward off illness, promote health and cure minor ailments, whether used in food, herbal teas, decoctions, ointments, inhalations, essential oils, compresses or poultices. There are treatments for earaches, winter blues, headaches, hangovers, anxiety, indigestion, insomnia, stress and acne. A useful section on growing, harvesting and storing herbs completes this handy guide. The author, Jessica Houdret, has a passion for herbs. She has grown them commercially, run workshops on their many benefits and written many books on the subject.