Customer Reviews

The Energetics of Western Herbs: Treatment Strategies Integrating Western & Oriental Herbal Medicine, Vol. 1

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This book, and its partner vol 2, form probably the most comprehensive herbal materia medica available. I find that I refer to it whenever I prescribe herbs to a patient and I would not be without it. Peter Holmes describes each herb from a Western and an Eastern viewpoint, including energetics, modern chemistry and historical perspectives. Uses are also described from both angles, with both Chinese traditional descriptive terms and modern western allopathic terms. He goes a long way towards a fully integrated world herbal medicine system. My favourite herbal medicine book - and I have a few!

My husband and I are both Acupuncture Physicians and have accumulated lots of books over the years. This two-volume book stands up because of the wide variety of information but especially due to the unique herbal information presented - Western Herbs explained through the Chinese Medicine concepts. It is a really unique tool for any herbalist - there are so many things covered in this book so I will highlight just a few of them for you. Not only it gives both Western and Chinese functions and indications, but it also gives different types of therapeutical preparations, including dosages and cautions. In addition, it presents aromatherapy qualities, chemical constituents, and Ayurvedic medicine explanation. Did you think that this was all of it? Not quite. Any of the common herb books would probably have the Botanical Name and Pharmaceutical name; this book however offers names in other languages such as German, Chinese, Japanese, French, Arabic, etc. Finally, the part that I love the most about this book is the Notes section from the end of each herb. The information presented there is varied and it depends from herb to herb, however, it usually discusses more about the Chinese Medicine aspects, gives research from both Chinese and Allopathic perspective and he even goes so far to compare an herb to certain acupuncture points. I should also mention the comprehensive introduction with impressive information that any respected herbalist would love to read. Definitely worth the money! Peter Holmes did an amazing job with this book.