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Planetary Herbology: An Integration of Western Herbs into the Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic Systems
Practical handbook and reference guide with over 400 medicinal herbs, integrating herbal traditions of entire world.
490 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
29 people are currently reading
617 people want to read
About the author
Michael Tierra
32 books40 followersA pioneer in the study of traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine in the West, Michael is credited with bringing the hugely popular herb echinacea back into common usage in the United States. His expertise comes from over 30 years of practice and study in North America, China, and India.
Dr. Tierra is the founder of the American Herbalists Guild, author of numerous books on health and herbal healing including The Way of Herbs, The Natural Remedy Bible and The Way of Chinese Herbs, (Pocket Books), Planetary Herbology, Chinese Traditional Herbal Medicine, Vol. 1 & 2 Biomagnetic and Herbal Therapy Lotus Press) and The East West Course of Herbology.
Dr. Tierra lives in Ben Lomond and practices nearby at the East West clinic in Santa Cruz at the northern end of Monterey Bay in Central California.
Dr. Tierra is the founder of the American Herbalists Guild, author of numerous books on health and herbal healing including The Way of Herbs, The Natural Remedy Bible and The Way of Chinese Herbs, (Pocket Books), Planetary Herbology, Chinese Traditional Herbal Medicine, Vol. 1 & 2 Biomagnetic and Herbal Therapy Lotus Press) and The East West Course of Herbology.
Dr. Tierra lives in Ben Lomond and practices nearby at the East West clinic in Santa Cruz at the northern end of Monterey Bay in Central California.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 21, 2017
I have read about 3 dozen herbals in order to find a handful of bibles (I was hoping for one bible but that ain't happenin'). I have settled on books from David Hoffmann, David Hoffmann, Stephen Harrod Buhner as well as this book.
When I read an herbal I generally require
1) Number of herbs covered
2) Is there a bullet point for constituents
3) Is there a bullet point for actions
I also like
1) covers herbs that other herbals don't
2) Points to scientific studies
3) Has good precautionary information
This book meets all of the requirements and contains many herbs that other books don't. The new herbs I've enjoyed were Ayurvedic herbs, but I think there was a good selection of TCM herbs as well. The Ayurvedic herbs were especially useful as they aren't covered in most of the herbals I like (Penelope Ody has some good TCM information so if it wasn't for the Ayurvedic herbs I probably wouldn't buy this])
When I read an herbal I generally require
1) Number of herbs covered
2) Is there a bullet point for constituents
3) Is there a bullet point for actions
I also like
1) covers herbs that other herbals don't
2) Points to scientific studies
3) Has good precautionary information
This book meets all of the requirements and contains many herbs that other books don't. The new herbs I've enjoyed were Ayurvedic herbs, but I think there was a good selection of TCM herbs as well. The Ayurvedic herbs were especially useful as they aren't covered in most of the herbals I like (Penelope Ody has some good TCM information so if it wasn't for the Ayurvedic herbs I probably wouldn't buy this])
December 15, 2022
Inspiring and insightful!
March 29, 2015
(also on my site The Paperback Stash)
I had always eyed this book, and now wish I had broken down and bought it earlier. Tierra has put so much information in these pages its breathtaking, a wonderful way to blend Ayurveda, TCM, and Western herbalism. With the popularity of the internet and with herbalists exploring different cultures and enjoying different aspects of various paths, this book should become a welcome addition to libraries everywhere. Tierra digs into the background of all three branches, breaking down the basics of each area of thought, including more than 400 herbs and their details. It gives Western herbalists another way to view herbs and their actions, which makes the book worth it on its own. One of the very best out there, it blends TCM, Ayurveda, and Western flawlessly; chocked to the brim with information, priceless and worth every cent!
With all lined up beside each other in "The Nature of herbs", it's easier to see similarities between each. If you're in the market for a book that enables you to accurately learn about an herb in whichever culture, this is the one to go to. Tierra and his wife, Leslie, run a school that teaches the same principle of thought called the 'East West School of Herbology'.
I had always eyed this book, and now wish I had broken down and bought it earlier. Tierra has put so much information in these pages its breathtaking, a wonderful way to blend Ayurveda, TCM, and Western herbalism. With the popularity of the internet and with herbalists exploring different cultures and enjoying different aspects of various paths, this book should become a welcome addition to libraries everywhere. Tierra digs into the background of all three branches, breaking down the basics of each area of thought, including more than 400 herbs and their details. It gives Western herbalists another way to view herbs and their actions, which makes the book worth it on its own. One of the very best out there, it blends TCM, Ayurveda, and Western flawlessly; chocked to the brim with information, priceless and worth every cent!
With all lined up beside each other in "The Nature of herbs", it's easier to see similarities between each. If you're in the market for a book that enables you to accurately learn about an herb in whichever culture, this is the one to go to. Tierra and his wife, Leslie, run a school that teaches the same principle of thought called the 'East West School of Herbology'.
August 30, 2008
Definitely not a book for beginers! It covers some pretty heavy stuff and borders on a technical medical book. But for some one who's looking to dive right in, it's a fantastically informative book. I, personally, am a beginer, and have had to go back and re-read a few passages (there are some pretty complex theories), but I'm determined to thoroughly learn all I can on this subject, and this book, so far, has been very enlightening.
July 29, 2015
Interesting crash course in both Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. Lots of stuff I already knew here, but more scientific data, strangely, than most of my hardcopy reference.
It makes me want to find better source on both of those schools of traditional medicine, or maybe go back to school... which, at the moment, is a financial pipedream, but still a thought.
It makes me want to find better source on both of those schools of traditional medicine, or maybe go back to school... which, at the moment, is a financial pipedream, but still a thought.
February 21, 2010
Great introduction to Dr. Tierra's foundational principles of Planetary Herbology. Includes energetics of Western, Ayurvedic, and Chinese herbs from primarily TCM paradigm. Includes formulas based on these principles based on ancient principles.
February 2, 2008
Comprehensive, but not always as useful as i am hoping when i use it for reference. I have been using it, however, since 1997.
July 17, 2016
another interesting tome of knowledge from Michael Tierra. I do not practice herbology mist of the time, so I cannot vouch for the efficacy of his recommendations.
Read
December 23, 2018Great synthesis of information, but leaving a little ghost of lack haunting the mind, as it ultimately feels like a primer or introduction to an almost-complete marriage of Eastern and Western herbal modalities. Interesting layout; seems to need multiple interlocking indices to chart the path of this probing work’s progress.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews