Page 57 - Fall2012

All Thumbs Book Reviews

Systemic herbs work against broad, dispersed local plant person to help me with (learning to Synergistic
infections that affect the entire body. These herbs recognize them in the wild).” Perhaps Storey
pass through the gastrointestinal tract membrane, Publishing will put out a companion picture herbs increase
building up in the circulatory system and entire volume for readers who must proceed without the potency
body. Non-systemic herbs work for targeted in- a local guide to help with identification of the of other
fections, such as ones in the lungs or skin, and hundred or more plants listed in the book.
generally do not pass through the gastrointestinal Second, the resource section is very small— properties of
membrane. just two pages—with only one listing actual both sytemic
Synergistic herbs increase the potency resources. A section helping the uncertain reader and non-
of other properties of both systemic and non- to find a good local herbalist along with ways
systemic herbal allies. Buhner points out that to assess his level of competence and expertise systemic
this is both an understudied area of herb use and would have been useful, as would some pointed herbal allies.

one of the main reasons why many commercial guidance on what sorts of questions to pose to
herbal preparations and drugs based on particular individuals or companies proffering herbs or
herbal constituents are either less effective than herbal formulations.
they could be or ineffective when compared to Herbal Antibiotics nevertheless deserves an
traditional/whole preparations. enthusiastic rating of both thumbs up. While not
Even worse, as occurs with antibiotics, as accessible to the uninitiated as the first edition,
isolated constituents may contribute to the de- this second offering will surely serve an impor-
velopment of disease resistance. Nature abhors tant role in equipping people and practitioners to
simplicity and monoculture. Or put another way, protect themselves from the modern plagues we
bacteria are smarter than the scientists seeking have brought upon our planet’s populace through
to annihilate them, just like plants and pests are pride and greed.
smarter and more adaptable than the herbicides Review by John Moody
and pesticides people spray on their fields. The
similarities between this micro(bial) problem and
our macro environmental and farming problems
are stark and startlingly similar. The root attitude
of disrespect, disregard and disdain for nature
and its rhythms, reasoning and wisdom runs
deeply in both.
Herbal Antibiotics culminates with sections
on strengthening the immune system, a hand-
book on herbal medicine-making, and a short but JOURNAL NOW AVAILABLE AS
highly useful herbal formulary detailing basic DIGITAL TALKING BOOK
directions for well over a hundred herbs. The last FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED
section is an especially useful quick reference for
We now have our journal converted
someone who has mastered the basics of making into an audio format available for the visually
certain preparations and tinctures. impaired. Special software is required for this,
The book suffers two small drawbacks. First, such as Dolphin Easy Reader. Go to the JOUR-
the lack of pictures, both for the major herbs NALS tab on our homepage. Starting with Fall
listed and recommended and for some of the 2011, click the journal you are interested in.
equipment suggested. Buhner himself addresses Please tell others! Many thanks to Amy Adams
this omission, encouraging readers to find “a of ePubUSA.com for this service!
Wise Traditions FALL 2012 FALL 2012 Wise Traditions 57

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