Michael Tierra

(also on my site The Paperback Stash)

I had always eyed this book, and now wish I had broken down and bought it earlier. Tierra has put so much information in these pages its breathtaking, a wonderful way to blend Ayurveda, TCM, and Western herbalism. With the popularity of the internet and with herbalists exploring different cultures and enjoying different aspects of various paths, this book should become a welcome addition to libraries everywhere. Tierra digs into the background of all show more three branches, breaking down the basics of each area of thought, including more than 400 herbs and their details. It gives Western herbalists another way to view herbs and their actions, which makes the book worth it on its own. One of the very best out there, it blends TCM, Ayurveda, and Western flawlessly; chocked to the brim with information, priceless and worth every cent!

With all lined up beside each other in "The Nature of herbs", it's easier to see similarities between each. If you're in the market for a book that enables you to accurately learn about an herb in whichever culture, this is the one to go to. Tierra and his wife, Leslie, run a school that teaches the same principle of thought called the 'East West School of Herbology'. show less

While I give this book high marks for its thorough knowledge of herbology, I cannot agree with Mr. Tierra about some of his other ideas. For example, on page 274, Mr. Tierra comments that "Headaches are usually caused by bowel and stomach disorders, or may be due to tension, stress, weak kidneys or sluggish liver function." and then goes on to suggest taking a laxative to cure them! While I understand that he works from the Chinese Herbal system where all parts of the body are connected, show more this is medically inaccurate save for his mention of stress and tension.

I am interested in his mention of chemosurgery for surface tumors, even though it is controversial. However, the above makes me really question the accuracy or applicability of his treatments, especially since he spends most of the book bashing Western medicine. In my opinion, complimentary medicine can and should work hand in hand with Western medicine, and his attitude is the attitude that makes it hard for this to occur. show less

Excellent descriptions of applications and practical uses. There's an entire chapter on supplementing traditional medical cancer treatment with herbs.

Concise and easy to understand introduction to TCM.