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A major work integrating the herbal traditions of the East with those of
the West by the bestselling author of "The Way of Herbs". This practical
handbook and reference guide is a landmark publication in this field. For
unprecedented usefulness in practical applications, the author provides a
comprehensive listing of the more than 400 medicinal herbs available in the
west, classified according to their chemical constituents, properties and
actions, indicated uses and suggested dosages.
Review:
"Presented here are two books that address the healing
qualities of herbs. The New Age Herbalist is an attempt to "form a bridge
between orthodox medicine and herbalism . . . ." The authors believe that no
herbalists should regard their treatment as beyond scientific explanation and
analysis . . . ." The attractive book has many black-and-white drawings and
color photos which clearly show the various parts of each herb described. The
"glossary" of herbs is designed to be used with chapters on nutrition, healing,
and body and home care; it also has a section on growing herbs. The authors
provide basic psychological information and practical advice on using herbs, and
include recipes for both foods and household preparations. A good, comprehensive
work with sound advice on what conditions are treatable herbally, and when to
obtain traditional medical treatment. Tierra, author of The Way of Herbs ( LJ
10/1/80), has compiled an impressive work that covers the philosophies of
traditional Eastern herbal medicine along with describing the herbs and their
uses. He compares these systems to Western herbal traditions, aiming at a
synthesis to create a "planetary" herbalism. Tierra's basic assumptions, that
because the Eastern systems have existed for centuries, they must work, and that
"all plants must have potential therapeutic application," are unproven and
probably unprovable. He sees herbalism as a religion of nature, intuitive rather
than precise and scientific. The book may be of interest to Eastern herbalism
researchers, but not for the practical herbalist, as the information is often
contradictory or of marginal use." - Katharine Galloway Gartska, Intergraph
Corp., Huntsville, Ala. Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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