This book includes 133 herbs & foods of various origins and easy-to-understand information on the uses, preparations and ways to combine many of these herbs to produce the most potent results. The author, Mark Pedersen, herbal research chemist, is very thorough in his descriptions and documentation. He has written both Nutritional Herbology and Nutritional Herbology Volume II. These two books have been revised and put into this one book to create a better, expanded volume than either of its two predecessors. It’s well referenced for both beginner and expert herbalists--another good addition to the natural healer’s library.
The introduction includes definitions, history, patents and laws pertaining to herbs and natural healing. It includes regional and cultural influences on the evolution of herbology and even includes a section on herbs and medicine. “…the most widely used drug in the world, aspirin, is based on the naturally occurring salicin in white willow bark.”
Chapter 2 defines and describes the specific classification of herbs and even includes examples of each classification. The next chapter goes into great detail about many of the elements from aluminum to zinc in various herbs. It also explains which nutrients are synergistic or antagonistic to absorption and use of the nutrient being described.
The main body (chapter 4), ordered alphabetically by herb, is divided into sub-headings including: “Properties”; “Systems Affected”; “Common Names”; “Folk History and Use”; “Medicinal Properties”; “Typical Daily Usage” (includes usage of fresh, dried or extracted herbs); “Traditional Formulas” (other herbs used together to achieve a specific result); “Chemical Constituents”; and “Nutrients of Note” (nutrients not included in chapter 2). In this chapter, you’ll also find a well-diagramed chart of the nutritional value of each herb using the nutrients found in chapter 2. The next eight chapters are broken down by body system (digestive, glandular, immune, etc.). These include descriptions of the system and the effects of deficiency and excess nutrients or toxins and the therapies (herbal combinations) suggested to improve these conditions. An appendix and an extensive index and glossary for easy reference are also included.
Nutritional Herbology (Wendell W. Whitman Company ISBN 1-885653-07-7) is a welcome edition to any herbal collection. It’s thorough, well researched and does a good job of filling in the gaps.