The Energetics of Western Herbs: Treatment Strategies Integrating Western & Oriental Herbal Medicine, Vol. 2 [Paperback]

Peter Holmes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 1999 | ISBN-10: 1890029076 | ISBN-13: 978-1890029074 | Edition: 3 Revised

The Energetics of Western Herbs, Volumes 1 and 2, are groundbreaking reference works for over 220 botanical remedies used in Western herbal medicine. Comprehensive and detailed, it draws on Chinese and Greek herbal medicine to integrate traditional herbal energetics with the latest findings in plant pharmacology. The traditional vitalistic and modern scientific systems of herbal medicine are complementary paradigms, not irreconcilable approaches. Using both systems simultaneously will greatly enhance the efficacy of herbal formulation in clinical practice, as well as provide a deeper understanding of each system. This fourth edition is a complete revision and expansion of the third edition in both text and layout. It includes fourteen new herbs, including Schisandra, Rehmannia, Rhodiola, Eleuthero, Devil's claw, White peony, Asian ginseng, Asian Buplever and Baikal skullcap. The introductions to each herb class, which explore the treatment strategies behind the various types of herbs, have been rewritten to include much new clinical material as well as to reflect current knowledge. In addition, the whole text has been re-typeset for greater user friendliness as a practical herbal medicine reference. The Energetics includes detailed practical instructions for preparing and using herbal remedies for internal and topical use. For each herb, it includes the most useful preparation forms, along with important dosage, caution and contraindication information. For this fourth edition, the detailed dosages for tincture, infusion and decoction preparations have been fully updated, based on current Western herbal medicine practice, and the tincture strength and ethanol content information have been added for every herb.

Product Details

• Paperback: 908 pages
• Publisher: Snow Lotus Pr; 3 Revised edition (December 31, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890029076
• ISBN-13: 978-1890029074
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #841,783 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best herbal books, combining East and West, February 6, 2012

By 

Richard Heft "Permanent Health and Happiness,... (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Energetics of Western Herbs: Treatment Strategies Integrating Western & Oriental Herbal Medicine, Vol. 2 (Paperback)

For the serious student of herbalism, East (Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine) and West, this book is a must. It is complex and sometimes overwhelming for those not educated in Western, Chinese or Ayurvedic medicine (biology, diet, nutrition and herbs) however the pearls of information are endless, comprehensive information more than compensate for any deficiencies. Each reading brings greater understanding as well as success in treating disease. From this book, for example, I discovered that peppermint oil really works in curing tooth abscesses, root infections as long as you change your diet (eliminate sugar, fatty, oily foods and overeating). My dentists wanted to do a root canal. I declined and seven years later my teeth are fine. The biological education via Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine is comprehensive as it covers all the bases. I highly recommend this book is addition to Yoga of Herbs and Ayurvedic Medicine by Dr. David Frawlety and Dr. Vasant Lad. The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal MedicineAyurvedic Healing: A Comprehensive Guide

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential book for serious herbalists, February 5, 2012

By 

Tiffany (WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Energetics of Western Herbs: Treatment Strategies Integrating Western & Oriental Herbal Medicine, Vol. 2 (Paperback)

It's truly refreshing to read a book on botanical medicines with such weight and depth; a book that clearly took years and years of clinical experience and research to create. This is one of the very very few textbooks on herbal medicine that can truly be called comprehensive. A genuine gift for the reader who wants up-to-date and reliable information on more than 200 important medicinal herbs used today.

The Energetics of Western Herbs by Peter Holmes is unique in so many respects, it's hard to list them all. But the key to this book is integration on many levels: pharmacology and energetics, Western and Chinese herbal medicine, modern phytotherapy and traditional empirical herbal practice. This is because the author is one of the very few truly integral thinkers in the realm of holistic medicine. He stretches himself and the reader into the newly emerging terrain of thought that not only bridges east and west, but also includes the relationships between culture and the individual, the macrocosm and the microcosm. And he does this in a concrete and rational way that transcends some of the New Age philosophies that lack depth when scrutinized.

This book goes well beyond its years and I can say with certainty that I've yet to find any herbal textbook that compares. As a holistic care provider I consider it essential for my practice. This is a book that any serious foreward thinking person should own with an interest in herbal medicines or the broader cultural history of herbal medicine itself.