Over the years - as tastes have changed and fads have come and gone - the gentle art of the herbalist has remained a constant, year round, source of joy for an incredible array of connoisseurs - from professoinal horticulturists and accomplished gourmets to enthusiastic suburban gardeners and city-dwelling naturalists. This versatile, handy reference provides these thousands of amateur and professional herbalists with the most compact and complete handbook on culinary herbs and spices possible. Here, in a throughly delightful labor of love, are detailed instuctions on how to plant, transplant, cultivate, harvest, use and preserve virtually every herb and spice available in North America today. Ms. Miloradovich takes us step-by-step through the various stages of herbal development, from preparing seedlings for early transplanting to drying, cutting and quick-freezing fragrant herbs for potpourris, medicinal lotions, pomanders, and even moth preventives.Hundreds of herbs and spices are included, each introduced with a fascinating anecdote detailing its historical background and legendry. Discover the power of cinnamon, one of the oldest spices known to man - used as a love potion by the Romans and a religious incense by the Hebrews and Ancient Egyptians. find out why Italians still use basil as a token of love and Hindus still consider it a sacred symbol of reverence for the dead. Ms. Miloradovich has found an intriguing tale for each of the hundreds of herbs and spices she discusses - from bitter unblanched celery to delicious roots of love parsley.Whether you'd like to grow perenials, biennials, or annuals in your apartment window box, or you need a convenient guide forpreserving rare herbs, or you just want to know more about the romantic histories, mysterious powers and legends behind your favorite spices and fragrances, you'll find this engaging book a stimulating source sure to lead to more and more adventures growing and enjoying herbs and spices.