Michael Tierra, the world renowned herbalist from the US has become a patron of the CNM – the College of Naturopathic Medicine.
Tierra was visiting the UK to give a series of lectures to students across the CNMs nationwide network of colleges about his experience of herbal medicine
Tierra said, Im honored that this wonderful institution is basing part of its herbal medicine course upon my experience and knowledge, from the teachings in my book Planetary Herbology.
Im delighted that the school has asked me to be a patron. Ive a long relationship with the college. I feel that CNM has the potential of continuing to promote my teachings of Planetary in the UK.
Hermann Keppler, Principal of the CNM, Were really pleased that such an outstanding herbalist as Michael has agreed to be a patron of the college. He has been a real inspiration to our students and we look forward to welcoming him to the CNM as a patron, as well as a lecturer and teacher.
Tierra was asked to be a patron, following a lecture that he gave at the London College.
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Following is an overview of Michael Tierras lecture in London and some of the questions that the CNM asked him in regards to his outstanding work and achievements in herbal medicine.
Michael Tierra Lecture
The fundamental philosophy behind Michael Tierras learning and experience is that we should not confine ourselves to one system of medicine but take advantage of the knowledge and wisdom of all cultures, our planetary wisdom which provides us with universal principles for mankind, bringing the best from all these cultures together. This is what his book, Planetary Herbology, and his teaching is based upon.
Tierra believes that assessment of the patient is the most important element to herbal medicine but by understanding and determining the energy of a person, rather than just prescribing on the basis of disease, as this is not always the most appropriate option.
This differential diagnosis is fundamental to the practice of herbal medicine, and is something the ancient Chinese and Indian cultures have tended to be use more than Western civilization. This diagnosis is based on many different principles: a persons constitution, whether they are hot or cold, the yin and yang of a person (homeostasis), their tongue, how they walk and talk, what they are deficient in, what do they have in excess.
Michael Tierras experience also highlights the historical, cultural and fundamental concept of Tri-dosha. This defines three different humors which early Middle Eastern and Greek medicine was based upon. These three humors are
- vata: wind/nerve-based constitution
- kapha: water/fluid-based constitution
- pitta: fire based constitution
The basis to all herbal medicine using this principle is that these three humors need to be balanced in a person and remedies can be used to help achieve this when that is not the case.
Tierra argues that in Western practices these energies are not embraced and there is no traditional energy classification of them. Also using differential diagnosis is more complex than just basing diagnosis on a disease and treating that.
Therefore Tierra acknowledges that in herbal medicine you do have to try out and test combinations. Although mainstream medicine has its place, the advantage of herbal is that it is generally mild in form and will not completely overcome the nature of the person like orthodox medicine can with the result of a plethora of possible adverse reactions.
As Tierra points out,
Herbs are the first medicine of humanity and we turn to them because we expect them to be mild and forgiving. Having said this, in the hands of a well trained Planetary Herbalist, their benefits are enormous
The Tri-dosha energies that Tierra describes can be balanced out by Triphala, three fruits. These, in the right combination and context for a person, bring the body back to balance by eliminating the toxins that the body does not need, without weakening the system.
Tierra asks us, what is a toxin? Its not necessarily a poison or something that is bad for you on a consistent basis but is basically what your body doesnt need. Therefore anything can be toxic to you and detoxification is getting rid of what you dont need at any particular time.
However to detoxify you have to have the energy to eliminate natural toxins which is something that Tierra believes many methods do not consider. Its not good to just eat raw vegetables or only salad for example as the body needs energy to detoxify. If you dont balance you are just overwhelming your body with one thing, that in turn could make it toxic to you!
After studying other cultures herbal medicine, Tierra has introduced Triphala to the western world which exemplifies his philosophy to bring the highest healing wisdom and knowledge from all cultures to benefit all. Triphala uniquely promotes balanced detoxification and elimination while acting as a mild tonic thus causing no deficiencies. It is excellent for helping digestion, liver function, while promoting bowel regularity even for those with an atonic or laxative dependent lower bowel.
Tierra advises that Triphala can be used as a base around which other remedies can be added.
The three fruits that are part of Triphala are
- amla (emblica myrobalans) the most important herb in the world and the best known source of vitamin C, an anti-oxidant par excellence, that is pretty good for everything, as well as being impervious to ageing
- behada (beleric myrobalan) which is good for cardio-vascular
- harada (chebulic myrobalan) for balancing the body and mind
An Indian saying supports the importance of this system of herbology to the Indian tradition, If you dont have a mother, dont worry, as long as you have Triphala!
As well as advice on the benefits of Triphala, Tierra also was asked questions by students about different issues including the problem in the West with allergies to milk and dairy.
The case of Milk
There are plenty of people in the UK who claim to have a dairy or milk intolerance but one explanation that Tierra gives to this problem is something he has learned from India and that Rudolf Ballentine refers to in his book, Diet and Nutrition: A Holistic Approach.
In India, no-one drinks cold milk. Milk constitutes of long-chain protein and is very difficult to pass through the liver when its cold. However, when scalded it is broken down into smaller parts which therefore helps the body digest it easily. For traditional lacto-vegetarian Hindu people and those following yoga, scalded warm milk with ginger and honey or the Ayurvedic herbal formula Chyavanprash is used as chicken or meat soup cooked with herbs is used by the Chinese to strengthen and build individuals who are constitutionally weak and deficient.
Tierra also points out that when you feed yourself you have to be good to yourself and feed your ancestors. If you are a vegetarian you do need to consider what your body is missing that your ancestors would have had. He also advises to take everything in moderation and be realistic in your expectations. You might not always be able to have organic milk but any milk is better than nothing for some. Tierra also points out that our society eats muscle (meat) rather than the organs of animals, where all the goodness comes from. In traditional cultures, as well as the Native Americans it was traditional that one is recovering from illness or is weak, they are fed the cooked heart and liver to promote speedy recovery. Similarly in China if one has a heart problem, then heart is eaten, a kidney problem, then kidneys are eaten it is important to realize the principle that like treats like. In all of this, only the finest sources of natural raised, organic animal foods should be considered.
It is possible to be healthy as a lacto-vegetarian but it must be done consciously and carefully. Being a vegetarian does not simply mean leaving the meat out of ones diet.
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Following the lecture we asked Michael a few questions about his experience
Where did your philosophy of Planetary Herbology come from?
I never started out to study one type of medicine but my interest began as I was fascinated by plants in the forest. It was later when I got the opportunity to study with Chinese and Indian herbalists and others that it became clear to me that utilizing all systems together made total sense, using only one seems preposterous to me!
Each tradition has its strong points and I wanted to integrate these, which Ive be doing for 35 years and which Planetary Herbology, also the title of the book I have written on this subject, is based on upon.
What your advice for future herbalists?
The most important thing for herbalists is diagnosis and Western herbal medicine doesnt have the best practice in regards to diagnosis, not in the way Indian and Chinese medicine has. We can learn a lot from them.
Herbal medicine is an art, and yes, its a difficult art – you have to know and understand the herbs, the combinations of herbs and how these will affect different people. All I can say is that you learn through practice with formulas and treatments.
A person can know just a little bit and be effective. Any person can do good with herbs, and the thing is, if you dont get it right or make a mistake they are much more forgiving. You need to test with and experiment formulas to see how the patient reacts.
However herbalists, if they want to be the best, have to go much deeper. They need a wide knowledge of more herbs to be top level experts. Really good herbalists should know as many herbs as possible. I would recommend that an herbalist really needs to know and practice with around 300 herbs.
Herbs are like music, with each key an herb. If you are playing a symphony you cant miss a key or play with some of the keys missing.
As far as practicalities go for having this many herbs, tinctures are useful as they dont take up so much space and last a long time, so you can be mobile with them.
To be a healer takes some courage, there is always a risk involved. You have to learn to trust your elders, their experience and their mistakes.
What do you think is the greatest threat to herbal medicine?
Wisdom of each culture is more important than the herbs and were in danger of losing the wisdom of the world.
Another huge threat to herbalists is regulation of herbs by those who know nothing about them. The Government doesnt even consult herbalists when they make these regulations. Until they respect this knowledge and wisdom we hold, it will be regulation by idiots and fools. Herbalists need to encourage a way around this otherwise it will be impossible to practice in years to come.
Do you see the problems that our environment is facing as an issue?
Well, we do need to consider the availability of herbs in context and be careful with them. Lady Slipper in North America is an example of this, it is the most powerful herb for the nervous system but its not cultivated in the US so its endangered. A reputable herbalist will consider these issues and ensure that if any herb is under threat that they seek out an alternative.
You really brought Echinacea to the west – what do you think about its popularity now?
I never imagined Echinacea to become mainstream as its become. It is fantastic but I think its being used often for the wrong reasons. There is no doubting its benefits though, its anti-biotic, resistant to diseases and can be used against bacterial infection.
What is your most memorable healing story?
There are almost too many to mention but some stand out more than others. For example, the old man who I treated who had pancreatic cancer but following a course of herbs, it went completely into remission.
Another time, I was on holiday and surfing alongside this young girl who was holidaying with her mother. We all got talking and once they discovered who I was the mother hugged me and said, You saved my daughters life. It turned out that her daughter had a heart defect as an infant. The mother had read about my experience of Echinacea* and had prescribed this to her daughter. It actually healed her daughter and prevented her from a life-time of open heart surgery.
There was another man I saw who had blood poisoning and was close to having his leg cut off. Using herbs we were able to get the blood poisoning into remission and thus avoided the amputation.
What do you think about the resistance of orthodox medicine to herbal?
There is a place for western medicine and it can effective but it all comes down to a risk versus benefit. With herbs in general the medical establishment doesnt think there is benefit to them so if anything happens they see them as an unnecessary risk without any benefit. In reality though, herbs are pretty safe.
For example 140,000-218,000 have died from pharmaceutical drugs1*. and 16,500 have died from the use of from NSAID (non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (includes ibuprofen) 2*. Less than 10 people may have had adverse effects from comfrey and died so its banned.
The problem with the medical establishment is it is driven on fear and motivated on fear and everything is dealt with as a crisis.
*AM. Jrl. Med. 105(B) 31S-8S)
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*For more information on Michael Tierra, his experience with Echinacea or to buy his book Planetary Herbology visit www.planetherbs.com.
