Traditional Western Herbal Medicine: As Above So Below

by Elisabeth Brooke

A users manual to guide the interested practitioner through incorporating Western Herbal Tradition into their practice. Complete with charts, diagrams, tables and cross-references, Traditional Western Herbal Medicine synthesises and elaborates on all the extant information on the Western Healing Tradition as recorded by William Lilly and Nicholas Culpeper in the 17Cth and from the author's own herbal practice. It shows how using planetary energies and the wheel of the year deepens our understanding of the action of medicinal plants on the body and establishes the practitioner within their environment, allowing them to use planetary energies to determine the peak times to harvest and use herbal remedies and to locate health and sickness within the holistic paradigm of Western Traditional Herbal Medicine. For ease of use, the book is divided into two sections. The first details the philosophical framework within which traditional western herbalists can operate; looking at the four humours, and seven planets and the use of the diagnostic tool of the decumbiture chart. The second part covers the practical application of the philosophy, how to collect, make and administer herbal remedies according to the planetary days and hours and the decumbiture chart. Examples of decumbiture charts will be included to show how the philosophy is used in practice. Lastly, a materia medica of common herbs is included. The work is so organised that the humoral system can be used without astrology, should that be the preference. This fascinating new title by the best-selling Elisabeth Brooke will be of interest to anyone involved in the theory or practice of herbal medicine, particularly those who have been inspired by her other classic works including A Woman's Book of Herbs and Herbal Therapy for Women.  

Genres: Health

340 pages, Paperback

Published February 18, 2019

Reviews

[Bethan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, I so wanted to love this book as much as I loved Elisabeth’s ‘a Women’s Book of Herbs’ but it just fell short for me, it’s completely personal opinion I can see why people would give it 5* but I preferred the descriptions and writings of AWBOH, I really wanted to like the astrology side of this book but I found it complicated and hard to understand at points and found the use of paraphrasing and lifting complete paragraphs of Culpepers work to be tedious and boring after a while, I get referencing him and his groundbreaking work but at the same time there was too much of his work attributed in the book to the point I was just reading parts of his book, if I wanted that surely I would just buy his book?

Anyways, I’m terms of herbalism it is a great companion to AWBOH as she talks about different herbs and their uses (spiritual, magical and medical)

[Ana Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is with great pleasure that I am writing a review for this book. I simply love it. Every chapter is packed with information. Firstly there is a brilliant overview of the history of herbalism in the UK. This is followed by a wonderful section outlining the various planets' characteristics from a Medical point of view and how they affect the body. I especially love the section on various herbs outlining the planets that they are linked with, and the variety of ways in which they are used medicinally and in ritual. Finally, equally wonderfully there is a section on Decumbiture which is simple to follow and very helpful to those interested in studying this fascinating branch of Astrology.

[Andrea Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book is to help me to deepen my understanding of the constitution and actions of herbs, in connection with astrology. I referenced my birth chart to gain an understanding of what this book has to offer. It will continue to be a resource in my herbal medicine practice.