Contents of Herbs February 2008 Vol 33 No 1

• Plump Perfection.  Peonies have been the medicine of the gods and favourite's of Chinese emperors. Lesley Bremness looks at the history of these blowsy blooms.
  
  
• Drove Road Beauty.  A good living was to be had collecting the wild herbs growing alongside the old drove roads. Gabrielle Hatfield goes back in time to the root diggers craft. 
  
  
• On The Brink.  Food, medicine, status symbols - orchids are all of these. Dr Henry Oakeley continues his journey into their world and alerts us to the threats facing these stunning plants.
  
  
• Seaside Super Berry.  Andrew Chevallier separates the fact from the hype surrounding sea buckthorn berries, which may be the latest herbal miracle workers.
  
  
• Fresh Greens.  The young spring shoots of cleavers, nettles and dandelion once supplied the vitamins we lacked through winter. Jessica Houdret loves weeds and they are great for making new season tonics.
  
  
• Pick Up Pizzazz.  Take note of Penelope Ody's history of tonic herbs to put a spring in your step - but one or two might make you feel a little queasy.