Nutritional Herbology: A Reference Guide to Herbs

Nutritional Herbology by Mark Pederson starts out as a fascinating look into the nutrients found in a variety of commonly-used herbs and plant foods. The first six chapters or so really shine. Minerals and other nutrients and their effects on the body are described and plants sources of these nutrients are listed. The section on individual herbs is also excellent; though practitioners from different traditions could quibble on the fine points of the therapeutic uses of each herb, this book's main focus is on nutritional content, so that is not too problematic.The problems begin in the chapters on formulas. First of all, the information on individual herbs seemed to focus on their usage in western herbalism, often citing information from the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia and western scientific studies of herbs and referring to western herbal traditions. However, the formulas given are Chinese herb combinations and are described according to Chinese medical principles such as the five elements and eight principles.To add to the confusion, each formula is identified by an English name. As many herbalists (and persons trying to purchase herbal formulas) are aware, herbal formulas can be called by a number of different names. The ingredient list for each formula is provided, but uncertainty could easily remain as to whether the formula in the book is the same as that being used by an herbal practitioner or consumer. Just as Latin is the universal language for western medicine and botany (and Pederson does give the Latin name for the individual herbs in the beginning of the book), when Chinese herb formulas are being discussed in the book, the Chinese formula name should be given as a standard of reference. I was trained in Traditional Chinese Acupuncture and Herbology and practiced it for some years; among colleagues, we always referred to formulas and individual herbs by their Chinese names to ensure we were talking about the same thing. The author's choice of formula names is somewhat simplified and idiosyncratic which limits its usefulness.The second problem is, while nutrient information is given for each formula, the proportions of herb in the formula are not given. That is, a list of herbal ingredients is given, but not the amounts or proportions of each herb. There are standards for each formula in Chinese medicine, but it is not clear whether this author's formulas adhere to that standard, and many herbalists tweak their formulas according to personal preferences and patient profile just as five chefs making Ratatouille will alter the herbs and spices and proportions of vegetables in a recipe, depending on taste, season, and availability. So how can I know if the nutritional profile of the formulas given matches the one I am using?I think those problems could easily be resolved in a revised edition. Mr. Pederson needs to give the Chinese name for each formula, as well as the exact amount of each ingredient. Then the user can easily tell whether the formula he or she has in hand matches the one in the book.Lastly, and this is a personal preference rather than a criticism, I think more users of traditional Western herbs use nutritional information than users of Chinese herbs. At least, in my many years of study of both branches of herbalism, this has been my observation. Chinese herbs, while they are foods, are often treated in special ways, and combined with lengthy lists of other herbs, to be closer to what we think of as "medicines." The fact that many Chinese herbs do not grow naturally in the US contributes to this, though Pederson omits many of the more exotic herbs or those that tend to be processed in complex ways. On the other hand, many western herb formulas, while having powerful therapeutic effects, tend to be considered more as "foods" or supplements, and I think readers would be more likely to seek out nutritional information for those herbs. I'd like to see a book of this sort that focuses on common western herbal formulas, or the formulas of a well-known herbalist or school of herbalism-- for example, Dr. John Christopher's formulas. His teachings emphasize nutrition and the mineral content of herbs to a high degree and a handbook of this sort focusing on his formulas would be extremely useful. That is just one example.This is a wonderful idea for a book that could be made a bit more useful with a few revisions. I think the author needs to take a stance on which herbal medicine tradition he will emphasize. Or, even more usefully, two separate volumes could cover western nutritional herbology and Chinese nutritional herbology separately. Chinese herbology includes a number of medicinal foods as well, including some delicious soups, which would be a fascinating addition.

This book begins with a brief chapter outlining the herbs that are highest in certain nutrients, such as silicon in the herb horsetail. Then there is a large section dedicated to the single herbs. This section has some folk history and use, and medicinal properties. The part that makes it stand out is the nutritional profile where the nutrients are rated as very high, high, average, low or very low compared to 93 herbs.I found this detailed analysis of the nutrients particularly useful on one occasion. I needed to know which herb was the highest in organic aluminum, which is gotu kola. We use the seaweeds such as bladderwrack to pull inorganic aluminum from the body, but we use herbs high in organic aluminum such as gotu kola and uva ursi to prevent picking up the harmful inorganic aluminum.The second time I might have found it helpful was when I needed to look up what herb was highest in organic zinc. Unfortunately, the book contradicts itself on this subject. On page 32 it says that bilberry has the highest source of zinc at .87 mg calculated on a zero moisture basis per 100 gm, but then on page 192 it says that mistletoe (also called golden bough) has 8.6 mg calculated on a zero moisture basis per 100 gm. If that's true, mistletoe is by far the winner. I have yet to write to the author to see which is correct.Next is a section he calls the "minor herbs." I do not agree with him on some of the herbs that he considers minor, such as dulse, Irish moss, lady slipper and mistletoe. This section was very brief. The following chapters were sections that covered herbal combinations for the different body systems.I have referred to this book a couple of times, but normally have then gone on to check other herbal references. It's certainly a book I want on my reference shelf; it just isn't one of my favoritesTo me, there are many more helpful and thorough books as to the overall use of an herb.

Loved everything about this transaction super fast and easy!!

I was looking for a book with nutritional values and this is the best reference I have found so far. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is because it does not contain all of the herbs I needed, such as calendula, chase berry, cleavers, or marshmallow. Although it does profile many minerals, protein, carbs, fat, and some vitamins, It also does not profile all the nutrients for each herbs that I was looking for such as Vitamin D, E, or Biotin, B5, B9, or B12. I would have preferred they not put as much combination information on each system and made it a more complete reference on nutritional values.

I ordered a "Like New" book from "asoled" and it came 2.5 weeks Early and in perfect condition. A wonderful addition to my herbal library.

This was a great read and a necessary book for a course I am taking. I would recommend reading a book about phyto-nutrients, phyto-chemicals and some anatomy and physiology just to be sure you understand how each item listed in this book works. The author gives a brief description of how each items works within the body but not overly detailed. If you want a simplified version of where and how much to consume of these vitamins, nutrients and chemical process and even where to order special foods/supplements, read Prescription for Dietary Wellness. Overall, a great addition to my library.

I thought I wrote a review on this book...I KNOW I did...but it must have been deleted!! Everyone searching for a natural form of healing and self care NEED this book!! Perdersen goes into detail of the chemical, medicinal and nutritional benefit of each herb indivdually and in combination. Purchase your herbs at a health food store, apothercary or online...it your choice but get the book and study this valuable information!!!

If you are really wanting to Identify which herbs have which concentration of vitamins and minerals, this is for you. But it’s a bit one note and doesn’t provide much by way of discussion of herbal uses and benefits,

I found this book invaluable years ago as reference whilst giving herbal and nutritional advice, really glad to get a copy again. In short this is an excellent book for anyone interested in benefitting health with plants as food and as herbs, in an informed way, without having to plough through loads of someone's opinions, flowery language, and pretty pictures, just straight well organised and easy to understand information.It gives full nutritional detail, including how the herbs were analysed to find this information, gives proved medicinal action, typical dosage, traditional useage and combinations, detailed information of the functions in the body of individual nutrients and effects of deficiencies, has sections grouping herbs together for the different systems of the body, and more..

nice book with information regarding herbs and their dried weight trace element value.also some combinations, for certain conditions, but without quantities, so no good for me.

Great; the nutritional information is fantastic. Shame there aren't a million more plants in it!