 An Integrative Approach
2003, Also The Way of Herbs and Planetary Herbology.
http://www.planetherbs.com/
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An acupuncturist and one of the country’s most respected herbologists, Tierra has studied American Indian herbalism, the herbal system of Dr. John Christopher, and traditional herbal systems of India and China. He provides “a complete, systematic approach to treating cancer from a holistic perspective, while detailing the entire range of herbs and herbal medicines available to the practitioner and the patient alike.”
In Part 1, Dr. Tierra provides a clear description of what cancer is, different types of cancer and how they are medically classified, available tests, conventional treatments, and the current state of the conventional cancer industry.
Part 2, which makes up most of the book, describes the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine and differential diagnosis. The rest of the book is devoted to detailed descriptions of complementary and alternative cancer treatments, including treatment based on the Six Methods of TCM:
1. Deficiency of Zheng Qi based on inherited Constitution potential and innate health reserves. This corresponds today with our understanding of the genetic and immunological basis for the cause of cancer.
2. Deeply rooted fire toxins (toxicity). This corresponds with our understanding of the role of environmental and dietary carcinogenic pollutants as a cause of cancer.
3. Qi and Blood stagnation. This has to do with the effects of previous two causes including genetics, pollutants, diet, etc. and their impairment of normal physiological processes as a cause of cancer.
4. Phlegm and fluid stagnation. This reflects the role of a diet high in fats as causes of different types of cancers.
5. Emotional disharmony. This reflects the role of stress in the current current hormonal imbalance that occurs as a contributing cause of cancer.
What is interesting about these is that while today various authorities might expound on any one of the above causes of cancer, hardly anyone except the ancient Chinese are able to comprehend and simply take into account the multiple causes of cancer. This clearly points out the difficulties and treatment. With multiple causes there must be multiple approaches to treatment and, as we have learned, there is no single treatment for all cancers. These in turn gave rise to the Six Therapeutic Methods as follows:
1. Supplement Zheng Qi by restoring normal health and supporting the immune system.
2. Remove toxic heat.
3. Stimulate blood circulation.
4. Clear phlegm.
5. Relieve liver qi stagnation.
6. Soften and dissolve the mass. (p.65-66.)
Tierra includes a lengthy Materia Medica listing the qualities and applications of every herb mentioned, how to treat specific cancers according to the Six Methods, the principles of diet for cancer patients, and a detailed listing and description of vitamin supplements that can be used in the treatment of cancer. Although the theoretical basis of the book is TCM, he integrates Ayurvedic and other herbal traditions as well.
Dr. Tierra focuses on treating the pattern of illness in each individual patient rather than making blanket prescriptions, and describes case studies that illustrate how different patients are treated and how they respond to treatment. This is a comprehensive, holistic, calm and compassionate approach to treatment of what can be a very frightening disease, and can be used as a handbook for a self-directed treatment in consultation with a supportive professional.
He points out that taking responsibility for one’s own health indicates that it makes extreme good sense to dedicate oneself first to natural alternative treatments, because conventional treatments of radiation and chemotherapy severely compromise the immune system which may prevent healing later by natural methods. He dedicates one chapter to cancer prevention, and the book can be extremely useful for people in good health to compare one’s baseline health practices with what would be recommended were one be diagnosed with cancer.
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