I have made a study of herbalism--magical and medicinal--for some years, and this is one of the best books I've found. It's very clear, offers a clear picture of herbs, common and uncommon. It is cross-referenced and indexed by type of ailment, name of ailment, and name of herb, so it is VERY easy to find what you are looking for. It also discusses preparation, dosage, and interactions of these herbs. I highly recommend this one.