The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism: Basic Doctrine, Energetics, and Classification [Paperback]

Matthew Wood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 10, 2004

The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism places the function of western herbs in their true historical context, apart from homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, and Ayurveda. Recently there has been a revival of interest in western herbalism, but practitioners haven't been able to explore its benefits due to a void of information on the topic—the system of medicine the herbs fit into had all but disappeared. To remedy the situation, herbalist Matthew Wood has researched the old-time practices and reconstructed them for modern use. In resuscitating western herbal medicine and bringing it up to date, he gives his readers a powerful tool for holistic theory and treatment. Wood makes the point that plant medicines, because they are made from a broad range of chemical components, are naturally suited for the treatment of general patterns in the body. He argues against the biomedical model of standardization, in which herbs are refined and advertised as if they were drugs suited to an exact disease or condition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism is a rallying cry to reexamine our vibrant past traditions and stay true to our roots. This superb book from an incisive mind states the options succinctly."
- Keith Robertson

About the Author

Matthew Wood is a registered herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild, and has maintained a private practice as an herbalist for twenty years. He lives and practices at Sunnyfield Herb Farm in Minnetrista, Minnesota.

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books (May 10, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556435037
• ISBN-13: 978-1556435034
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.7 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #140,642 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Now I Understand, April 9, 2008

By 

Sidney "Put It In Soup" (Olympic Peninsula WA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism: Basic Doctrine, Energetics, and Classification (Paperback)

This book, along with Vitalism, has given me a historical and practical context for Western Herbalism that makes sense to me. I've been a closet herbalist for decades, stumbling over what were to me, cryptic texts, out of context, and these books by Matthew Wood catapulted me out of said closet and into (herbalist) school.-!!- I had no idea what to expect when I ordered this book. Halfway through I ordered Vitalism, and half way through that I ordered The Book of Herbal Wisdom. Having not read a huge quantity of herbals I cannot rate this book against all the many others, but it lit a bonfire in me to move forward. Lights on. Five Stars.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary Book by an Extraordinary Herbalist, January 7, 2008

By 

Preston Foell "Wellness Advocate" (Portland Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism: Basic Doctrine, Energetics, and Classification (Paperback)

This book, as most of Mathew Wood's books is par excellence! Written with clarity, ease, brilliance Mr. Woods books are engaging, easy to read for both the budding herbalist or experienced practitioner. The Western Herbalism he espouses is based on his extensive experience as a practicing herbalist and his continued passion to study the great herbal masters of the Western World. His integrity, wit, and skill will leave you clamoring for more written works by this modern healing Master. I highly recommend all of his books not only for Western Herbalists, but for Chinese Herbalists and Homeopaths as well.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Herbal Remedies from the Old Ways, November 3, 2006

By 

Sharon Murphy "Herb Lady" (Louisiana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism: Basic Doctrine, Energetics, and Classification (Paperback)

Matthew Fox has brought the Old Ways of Herbal Medicine to our modern world. This book speaks in a language I can understand. His descriptions of the underlying imbalances within the tissue that results in symptoms made such an impression on me. He lists signs which we all can identify in our illness. The book gives a description of the plants that can favorably affect these tissue states. Once the underlying cause of an illness is brought back to normal, a balanced state, then the disease goes away. Makes sense to me!!!

Clear and to the point, but also has such a warm, personal touch. Buy this book, you won't be disappointed.