Booklist Review: Healing Powers of Herbs & Spices: Timeless Treasures

By Cal Orey

BOOKLIST Review: Herbs & Spices: Timeless Treasures

In keeping with previous entries on foodstuffs like olive oil, vinegar, and chocolate, Orey's ninth title in her Healing Powers series is part cookbook, part healthy living reference. She begins by clarifying the anatomical difference between herbs and spices (herbs are from plant leaves, while spices come from bark, flowers, fruit, roots, and seeds) before explaining the benefits of 22 plant derivatives along with the history, medicinal discoveries and highlights, and healing notes for each. Two closing chapters delve into age-defying remedies and folk cures, like the uses of chicken soup and prescription of cloves for nausea. After the educational parts and charts, most pages are devoted to nearly 80 recipes for almost every possible eating occasion: whoopie pies, jumbo anise biscotti, cayenne spicy salsa, saffron baked custard, spicy meatless shepherd’s pie. Occasional color photographs spice up the dishes, though not every recipe is illustrated. An herb a day just might keep the doctor at bay. Includes glossary and resources. (The Healing Powers of Herbs & Spices: Timeless Treasures, published by Kensington, 2021; available at all online bookstores)