This is an introduction to how herbal plants have been used around the world in every era. The emphasis throughout is on the practical use of herbs - their cultivation and applications - as well as their symbolic and cultural roles, and the light they shed on a vast spectrum of traditions and beliefs. The book includes a portfolio of nearly 40 key herbal plants with descriptions of their medicinal uses and preparation. This section combines information on gathering, storage, and current usage, as well as historical background. Other chapters explore such subjects as Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, the herbal traditions of Africa and Australia, and the cultural context of hallucinogenic plants and their use in religious ritual. A final chapter describes how we can grow, collect, and prepare herbs, and explores their use in aromatherapy, perfumes, and cosmetics.