Planetary Herbology: An Integration of Western Herbs into the Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedis Systems

This book provides remedies as well as source's for additional research.

This book is definitely not what I expected. The author is renowned and obviously knowledgeable, but what I was hoping from a book subtitled "An Integration of Western Herbs Into the Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic Systems" was just that: a book on Western herbs, used according to Chinese and Ayurvedic principles. As someone trained in Chinese herbology, while I have a great love for the principles and system of Chinese medicine and believe it can be applied to anyone anywhere in the world since it is based on natural laws, I have lately been drawn to using local, or at least American, herbs instead of Chinese. It makes sense to me that the plants available in our own region would be best suited for our healing, just as local and seasonal foods are the healthiest for us. I hoped this book would use Western herbs according to the Chinese system.Instead, many of the herbs in this book are Chinese and Ayurvedic, mixed in with western herbs. The formulas, too, contain a combination of Asian and Western herbs. To me, this simply confuses the picture. Yes, the meridian and organs that western herbs enter are given. And they are placed in broad categories, though even here I find the same east-west mix, with some of the categories ("Surface-relieving") being Chinese, and others ("Emmenagogues") being western. But as far as, say, categorizing Western herbs according to Chinese or Ayurvedic properties, or taking a Chinese or Ayurvedic pattern of disharmony and offering a formula to address it using western herbs, that does not happen in this book.Therefore, while good basic information is given for each herb, this book did not serve the purpose I had hoped for.

Thorough index of herbs

One thing you can say about this product- it is very full of information in a relatively short book. But, I would recommend it only to those who have at least a basic understanding of both Western and Chinese/East Indian herbalism to get the full effect (which is its intended audience I believe). Though the book does explain most of what it states, this knowledge is necessary to fully appreciate it. It reads like a textbook more than anything, which is great but may not make it a "page turner" for those that don't have this knowledge.This is an AMAZING handbook, and it explains energies of herbs (I believe over 400 of them!), some history, preparations, organs herbs effect, dosage, parts used, the properties of herbs, and even the methodology behind it all, without going in to too much detail. I especially appreciate the beginning, where he goes into food therapy, the types of preparations and why it matters, the eight methods of therapy, as well as the nature of herbs in Chinese, Western, and Ayurvedic systems and the roots of it all. Excellent! Also, extremely useful appendix/glossary!

This author sets out to bring about the integration of Western herbs into the Ayurvedic system and the Traditional Chinese Medicine system. In the area of Western Herbology he includes European, Native American and Eclectic traditions. He argues that herbalism is as much an art as it is a science and there is an energy and a spiritual side to herbalism. This integrated system he calls Planetary Herbalism.There is a section on the preparation and procssing of herbs, eight methods of Herbal therapy and Planetary Formulas as well as Ayuerviedic and Traditional Chinese formulas. In Part II of the book he has a Planetary Materia Medica. In Part III, the appendices he has information on herb energetics, herbal supplements for vegetarians and more about Ayurvedic and Chinese Medicine. I would not recommemd this book for the beginner or inexperienced. It is a great book for herbal practitioners and laymen who know quite a bit about herbs. -- Val Lull

I have started studying and not just reading this book. It is excellent in it’s presentation of the information provided.

A Great Herb Book. This Is A Replacement For One That Was Stollen Years Ago. I Was Lost Without It. I Can Not Wait To Get Mine In The Mail On Tuesday. I Am Getting Back Into My Bulk Herbs. Sure Teas And Essential Oils Are Great; But NOw That I Am More Settled In.. I'd Like To Get Back To My Bulk Herbs. THis Is A Great Book. It Covers A Few Topics That I Have Not Found In Other Herb Books.

One of the best "older" reference books for herbal medicine

I'm very happy with my book

Conosco l'autore e sono in possesso di ben altre 7 sue pubblicazioni.Esperto autorevole di Fitoterapie diverse , in coppia con la moglie ha scritto opere molto utili per lo studio, la ricerca , l'aggiornamento sia specializzato che hobbistico

Perfect companion to David Frawley's Yoga of Herbs. Very pleased.

Perfect, I love it.