Book Review: Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth
Stacie Deyglio, ND
Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth
Sharol Tilgner’s second edition of Herbal Medicine is an exciting update from the original. It is a must have for every naturopathic student, doctor and enthusiast who values the powerful influence botanical medicine crafts within human physiology. Composed in this book are the valuable lessons in botanical medicine from Dr. Tilgner’s skills as a physician and herbalist of 25 years: “If you take one individual and ask 20 friends, family members and co-workers who this person is and how the person effects them, you will get 20 different answers. There will be a main theme that can be gathered from the information, yet each individual will have been effected differently by the same person, due to the different alchemy between the two of them. This is how it is when we experience the herbal world. Each herb will effect 20 different individuals in a unique manner, although there will be a main theme that appears repetitively” (Preface, i).
Herbal Medicine offers eight main areas of content: the Properties and Actions of Herbs; Dictionary of Herbal Preparations; Materia Medica; Formulas for Specific Health Conditions; Herbal Formulas by Body Systems; Dosages; a wonderful, image-filled section on How to Make Herbal Preparations; and the Appendix. Inside the Appendix is a catalog of important information, including common-to-Latin herb name references and vice versa, harvesting and preparation charts, charcoal and clay poultice instructions, a list of recommended books and journals, as well as a list of herbal schools, events and suppliers.
Dr. Tilgner fuses her herbal magic to provide detailed information for 190 herbs. In this one-stop herbal encyclopedia, the reader has access to vital information about harvesting, storage, preparation of formulas and the clinical use of indispensable herbs. In this way, Herbal Medicine best represents the naturopathic principle of Primum Non Nocere. By utilizing time-tested methods and medicinal herbs, a physician is guided by Dr. Tilgner’s expertise to apply the least possible intervention necessary to restore a patient back to health. This supports the self-healing process; allowing the individual’s inherent healing capacity to take over and provide a return to well being.
Stacie Deyglio, ND received her baccalaureate degree in biology, with a minor in chemistry from the College of Mt. St. Vincent in 1999. Resonating deeply with the philosophy and principles of naturopathic medicine, she graduated from the University of Bridgeport, College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2003. Dr. Deyglio’s interests focus on relating integrative therapeutics to the prevention of chronic disease in America. Currently residing in New York, Dr. Deyglio is an avid bookworm and writer. She is actively re-creating her practice.
