THE ONE EARTH HERBAL SOURCEBOOK

Alan Tillotson's new book ,The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook, published by Twin Streams, (Kensington Publishing Corp, www.kensingtonbooks.com) is authoritatively written by a dedicated and accomplished fellow colleague and I count it as one of the best herb books written in recent years. In the spirit of Planetary Herbology, it integrates in an easy-flowing way complex systems and concepts from four great herbal traditions, 1) traditional Western herbal medicine, including the work of the USA 19th century Eclectics, 2) the latest findings on herbs, current research, herb-drug interactions, etc.,  that seems to flow seamlessly within the context of easy-to-follow basic scientific physiology, 3) with practical dietary and herbal applications for specific conditions and systems of the body, it dips into the deep wellspring of Ayurvedic medicine imbued with its ancient psychological, spiritual and constitutional approach (so many Ayurvedic texts as well as TCM books seem to get lost in a jungle of ethnic jargon to the point that one wonders if anyone can understand the stuff), and 4) Traditional Chinese Medicine. To my mind these represent the four essential parameters or pillars of contemporary herbal medicine traditional Western, contemporary scientific, TCM and Ayurveda. These are so all encompassing that other systems limited to a more regional or ethnic base can easily be incorporated into these.

Both the Chinese herbal medicine and the Ayurvedic teachings in Alan's book come derive from two direct and high sources. Ayurvedic teachings emanate from the clinical work of Alan's esteemed Nepalese teacher, Dr. Mana, at whose feet and clinic in Nepal Alan spent considerable time as an Ayurvedic herbal apprentice. As if that were not enough, somehow Alan found  Nai-shing Hu, a wonderful wife and ongoing connection to the great herbal traditions of China. Nai-shing happens to be an accomplished TCM doctor, herbalist, acupuncturist and former professor at Chengdu University of Traditional Medicine, Sichuan, China, where she taught Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture. Presently Alan and Nai-shing work side by side at their clinic-pharmacy called "Chrysalis Natural Medicine" in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A. While Nai-shing practices TCM, Alan practices his own eclectic Planetary mix, admirably represented in his book. Nai-shing is listed on the cover as a direct collaborator along with Dr. Robert Abel Jr., M.D., an Ophthalmologist and holistic physician. Nai-SHING is the person I first think of when I have some intrepid TCM question to unravel. She and Alan are both professional AHG members, with Alan currently serving on the board of directors.

Perhaps the days when any one of us have the feeling that we need to compose an herb book in complete isolation from the experience and support of our peers and colleagues is thankfully past. As we can see from Herbal Hall (The professional herbalists internet discussion group), we are no longer isolated herbalists scattered here and there, but with many of us located throughout the US, and indeed the world.  We are united both spiritually and electronically. As such we are learning to respect each other as we offer  feedback for our individual views and endeavors. Today we represent a growing body of collective experience and information upon which each of us can and should unashamedly draw. Alan credits many people as advisors in his book, including David Winston for his knowledge about the 19th century Eclectic herbal movement, Robyn Klein, James Duke, Ed Smith, Aviva Romm, K.P. Singh, Roy Upton, Steven Dentali, as well as myself and Lesley. Alan says he learned this approach from the example of the venerable and generous herbal author, Jim Duke. The point is that today's new herbal really need not be written in a vacuum and can benefit from our support for each other's work.  I hope this continues to be a future trend with forthcoming herb books.

This said, The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook is Alan's conception and creation, peppered throughout with many of his own personal clinical experiences. 

Like any good book, its intention is not only to answer questions but to help us form our own individual opinions. Perhaps some aspects of the book, such as the integration of diverse systems or his applying a "gold and silver standard" to herbal classification, may seem too ambitious or eccentric to some of us.

I am happy that Alan did not write a dry formulaic work such as some of the TCM and Ayurvedic herbs that are being published, or a few of the Western herb books that seem to be overly theoretical with little practical experience being conveyed or represented. As such the book assumes its part as an active participant in a world system of herbal medicine (The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook) that whether we consider ourselves as active participants or not is happening and influencing each of us in our work. I have always found a problem in the rote classification of herbs that refrains from assigning a personal judgment by the author, however subjective, where herbs are 'weighted' in terms of the strength, efficacy and frequency of use. Thus one unique feature, whether it personally appeals to you or not, is Alan's classification of herbs in terms of their use, relative safety and efficacy. Those that are most used and considered as very safe and effective are given the "gold standard," others with somewhat more limited use are classified as "yellow," herbs with limited efficacy and use are given the "silver standard."  His purpose was to amplify the good reputation for safety and efficacy of time-honored herbs, to raise the red flag for the very strong herbs, and counteract the fear-mongering about herbs now seen so frequently in the news media.

This book reaffirms the notion that ours is not an age to remain stuck in one or another system, I count about 93 herbs described in his "Important Herbs from Around the World." These range from the Ayurvedic rock pitch called "shilajit" which is one of the most important of all Ayurvedic tonics and indeed tonics throughout the world. While American herbalists pursue their often exclusive love affair with North American herbs, our own precious reserves of North American shilajit remains oozing from the Rocky Mountains and other North American Mountain ranges unutilized and untouched. Probably thus its use would be further hampered, warranted or not, by FDA concerns of heavy metal toxicity, that seems to not be an issue with the quality Himalayan shilajit. A select number of Chinese Ayurvedic and Chinese herbs totaling over 90 are presented in this chapter. I greatly appreciate the current research highlight's  that he has as part of the description of each herb in his materia medica.

The largest part of the book is occupied with a presentation of herbs and treatments based on the different systems of the body.

Alan has done a lot of research to put this book together, but many will appreciate his giving the internet resources for this in the lengthy appendix where 100's of herbs are listed by their physiological action, contraindications (there are seven pages of herbs listed as contraindicated during pregnancy), Latin Name, herbs to be avoided unless prescribed by a doctor (I presume he means herb doctor or someone experienced in the use of herbs), common poisonous indoor and outdoor plants with their related symptoms, associations for herbal professional herbalists, herb companies, internet resources, publications and journals, poison control centers throughout the USA, and a long list of, quality manufacturers of herbal and nutritional supplements. Unfortunately Alanís deadline did not allow him to include the new American Herbalists Guild Journal (For information, how to support professional clinical herbal medicine in North America, journal subscriptions, etc, call (770) 751-6021 or check out their website at www.americanherbalistsguild.com). I wholeheartedly recommend Alan's herb book to anyone sharing an interest in herbal medicine with any level of experience from beginner to advanced exponent there is enough in this book to reward everyone who owns it. Finally, as a voluntary reviewer of an important book by a honored former student, I am deeply proud of Alan's accomplishments now both as a practitioner, and an author, and look forward to the wonderful contributions he will undoubtedly make to the future of herbal medicine. 

You can receive a $2 discount off of the standard price of $20.00 and receive a personally autographed copy of The One Earth Herbal Soucebook by ordering directly from Alanís clinic, call: (302) 994-0465 to order. Itís okay to leave a credit card, address and phone message if you get his answering machine. You will receive a call back to confirm your order. Remember, to speak slowly and clearly and repeat numbers to save time.