What is Planetary Herbology ?

Planetary Herbology is a system of herbal medicine developed by Michael Tierra which combines Traditional Chinese, Ayurvedic and Western herbal medicine with the modern sciences of Pathology and Disease. Diagnosis is made using the Chinese system of medicine and herbs used are matched energetically to the condition as manifested by the client.

What is the difference between Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine?

• Chinese medicine sees illness as a symptom of imbalance  within the body, the symptoms pointing us to where the imbalance lies.
• In Chinese medicine, treatment is generally aimed at the causative factor rather than just the symptoms.
• Each person is treated as an individual, a general illness is not treated but a condition is treated as presented in the person.
• In Chinese medicine the emotional/ physical connection is recognised, emotions affect our health and our health our emotions.
• Each herb is energetically matched to the person.

What does using herbs energetically mean?

Simply put this means how hot or cold a herb/person/illness is. Using herbs energetically means matching the right temperature of herb to the right temperature of the condition as presented or the person in general. This means that if someone is hot e.g. fever, a cooling herb would be given or if they were cold a warming herb.

e.g. Many people know that valerian is good for insomnia  but many people also know it doesn't work for them. Valerian is a warm herb energetically, so if it is taken by someone who already suffers from heat then it will aggravate their condition. Scullcap which is a cooling herb would be more appropriate for a hot person and Valerian which is warming would be beneficial for someone who generally feels cold.

Another example of energetics, where heat aggravates heat would be indigestion (heat in the stomach) being aggravated by hot spices, such as, chilli, peppers or garlic.

Using herbs energetically means you are using the most appropriate herb for the person. 

The Consultation

The first consultation is detailed, information is taken on your past and present medical conditions and lifestyle. This combined with information on your present symptoms and using pulse and tongue diagnosis presents a pattern of imbalance. When the pattern has been identified, a treatment plan consisting of an herbal prescription formulated for your specific condition along with advice on diet and lifestyle is initiated.

How long does treatment take?

The rule of thumb for treatment is 'one month of treatment for every year of imbalance’. In the case of chronic conditions, after the initial consultation, there is a follow up consultation 1-2 weeks later, which progressively extends to 4 - 6 weeks between consultations. As it is the underlying imbalance that is being treated you  may or may not see a change in condition for the initial 3 weeks, however what people first report is an increase in vitality and ability to cope with stress.

It may take a little longer to see a result with herbal medicine but this is because it treats the actual condition and does not work by just suppressing symtoms.

Herbs Versus Medicine?

My position is that I am not in conflict with western allopathic medicine and favour working in conjunction with the medical profession for the benefit of the client.I do not diagnose clinical conditions but can work effectively with a clinical diagnosis preferably in consultation with the client’s doctor.