Therapeutic Herb Manual: A Guide to the Safe and Effective Use of Liquid Herbal Extracts

by Ed Smith

The purpose of this book is to serve as a “ready reference” on the safe and effective use of liquid herbal extracts. Although much of the language used throughout this text is in the vernacular of modern orthodox medicine, and diseases are often referred to by specific medical names, it must be understood that in traditional herbal medicine disease is not seen as a separate entity and therefore is not treated as such. Disease is actually an interrelated set of underlying conditions manifesting as a specific set of symptoms. Modern medical science classifies these symptoms into collective categories, gives each category a name (e.g., eczema, allergies, hypertension, etc.), and then tries to cure the patient by treating the symptoms. The herbalist, however, is more concerned with treating the patient, not the disease, and does so by improving the overall health of the patient and by removing the underlying causes of the disease.

Herbs by themselves can only be expected to do so much. For optimal results they should be used in the context of a natural wholesome diet, ample exercise and rest, a positive attitude, fulfilling work, and a simple lifestyle. This combination will almost always have a favorable influence on one's health and often induces healing where modern medicine has failed. The information presented in the following pages has been gleaned from 30 years of experience as a medical herbalist and from extensive academic research of herbal literature that ranges from ancient herbal texts to modern phytopharmaceutical journals. However, it must be understood that there can never be any guarantees that herbs will always help or heal every health problem for which they are indicated. There is no form of medicine, herbal or otherwise, that can make such a guarantee.

Genres: Reference

131 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Ed Smith is an author and journalist, and a former international cricketer who has represented England, Cambridge University, Kent and Middlesex. Ed Smith's previous books include Playing Hard Ball, On and Off the Field -- the Wisden Book of the Year and shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year and The Cricket Society Book of the Year Award -- and the critically acclaimed, What Sport Tells Us About Life. After retiring from cricket Ed Smith became a leader writer for The Times. He lives in London.

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear instructions for the intermediate herbalist. I would not recommend this for beginners due to the lack of alcohol proof information for extraction which can greatly change the potency of herbs, adjusting the appropriate formulas.

The recipes are clear, to the point and it's nice that half the book is about the formulas to help you get an idea of many different blends using similar herbs. Worth checking out from the library just for the recipes!