Book Review:

"Herbal Medicine for Men," by Heather Scott in The Herb Quarterly, Fall 2004, and The Male Herbal, Health Care for Men & Boys by James Green, 1991, The Crossing Press.

Review by Crow

I suppose it is fair enough for Heather Scott (in her article in the Fall 2004 Herb Quarterly) to tell us (men) about our "falling testosterone levels in midlife" and tell us what to do about the problem. After all, men have been telling women how to take care of themselves and their bodies for far too long. I do remember however, how relieved I was when, 15 years ago, James Green finally wrote The Male Herbal and gave a man's point of view on male health issues and needs.

The gender of the author is not a serious weakness of Scott's excellent article. In only 5 pages she introduces at least 13 herbs of value for some major male health challenges. She calls on recent studies and quotes the work of several leading herbalists, male and female: Christopher Hobbs, Laurel Vukovic, Stephen Foster, Michael Murray. She does not aim to update Green's work, but her compilation helps in that direction, none the less. It also reminds all of us, male and female, that there are very effective herbal alternatives to the more stringent, side-effect laden, medical offerings for men.

If I were to challenge Scott- and this is a challenge I issue to many contemporary writers-it is in her easy acceptance of the common concept that our health just naturally gets worse as we age. Testosterone levels do not automatically fall in all men at some given age: she says, "decreased levels of testosterone that occur in men sometime between the ages of 40 and 55." There are great individual variations in this and other functions of life which need to be understood and taken account of when recommending any medications, treatments or changes in habit and life style. A broader view would show that many changes commonly attributed to "aging" also correlate with other events of life history, social, psychological and physical. Even in a short article, it should be possible to note that many aspects of every individual health history are multi-factoral. As such, they may best achieve resolution, first by not assuming any one single cause and, second, by treating problems from a multi_factoral point of view. Even when the medical profession has trouble doing so, herbalists, like shamans, need to keep alive to the complexities of the lives of their clients and the highly active fields of energy in which we all live.

I came across James Green's The Male Herbal 15 years ago, at a time when I needed someone whose philosophy was compatible with the shamanic path and who could more formally introduce me to herbalism. Green did that: this book has a completeness which its easy accessibility and less than 300 page length belie. Indeed, I hardly know where to begin to describe it. Let me start with his overall approach:

"There is a dignity inherent in the ability to tend to one's own condition; to live in a knowing relationship with natural surroundings, possessing a personal independence with the skills to provide one's self with natural remedies and self-help..." (p.ix)

Naturally this appeals to me since my primary aim in teaching and sharing the shamanic way is to facilitate the self-empowerment and independence of others!
And :

"Ninety percent of the time the normal body spontaneously heals itself given merely adequate rest, pure water and the lack of outside intervention." (p.13)

Anyone presenting a healing system based on these principles has my attention and begins to win my support. Green continues his positive approach through a complex "wholism". In part it is that:

"Wholistically oriented herbalists perceive humans as complex physical, mental, emotional and spirited beings ecologically interwoven with all life, possessing the innate power to prevent disease and heal afflictions." (p. 22)

He has a powerful and comprehensive philosophy, but is this truly a male herbal? Yes, in a very balanced sense, and with a clearly stated broad perspective, it is. He has the balls to examine the usefulness of traditionally "female" herbs for "men's problems" and there is plenty of very useful analysis and advice concerning the obvious men's health concerns.Yes, gents, baldness, the scrotum, prostate problems, heart health, stress and hypertension, virility, 8 pages on the penis (including _ oooo, try this one- the penis soak) are included and more!The title says 'For Men and Boys' and there is much that would have been useful for me (son of medical doctors, that I am) as I was growing up: good, straight from the shoulder, manly stuff about what parts we have, how they work and how to take care of them. Good women's herbals and guide_to_the_body books have been around for at least two decades.It is wonderful to finally have one of our own. The book is so balanced that women will benefit from reading it too, whether or not they relate much to men.That's it Guys (and Gals)! Buy this book, you will use it regularly no matter how healthy you are, and it is a good read even if you don't think you need it!

I cannot criticize Scott or Green for not mentioning plant spirits. That is simply not Green's focus. Nor is The Male Herbal a book about plant spirit medicine, even though it is informed by an awareness of Spirit and energy healing and he does reference The Medicine Cards, Skinny Legs and All and Jitterbug Perfume, all of which are important spiritual tools.Depending on their time and culture, however, shamans have used a vast variety of healing techniques, always, of course, supported by journeying, the primary shamanic tool. Spiritual herbalism, that is, contacting plant spirits in alternative realities for their help in healing, is not uncommon. There are herbalistas in South America who journey exclusively to plant spirits. Material herbalism, in which the substance of plants is used in a healing way, is also very widespread among tribal/shamanic peoples because so many plants are so healing in so many ways and our ancestors discovered this so early on. Bekki and I have used herbal remedies for years for ourselves, family and friends, and have gathered quite a few plant familiars from workshops, reading, trial and error and journeying, although we do not consider ourselves herbalists as such. (For information on our plant journeys see, Rooted in the Heart, Seeded in the Soul, by Bekki and Crow, latest edition, 2006, available at www.church-of-earth-healing.org, publications page.)

Crow first reviewed James Green's The Male Herbal in 1991 or 92 in THE NEWT-ONIAN PHYSICIAN a column which he wrote for Pagans in Recovery Quarterly. Exerpts from that review are included above. Green's book is still in print; it is probably due for a 'new and revised edition' any time now.

Editor's note: The new edition is out. April 2007

Book Review

Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina and Stress Relief, by David Winston, RH (AHG), and Steven Maimes, 2007, Healing Arts Press

Review by Bekki

While there are many great herbals that have been published in the last 20 to thrity years, the last ten have
seen an explosion of "must-haves", for anyone seriously interested in herbalism, whether you use herbs for yourself and your family, or are a professional healing using them as adjunct therapy. This book is one of the first to have in your herbal library, for a host of reasons.

First off, it is an engaging "read"by articulate and knowledgeable authors (I go to it often, and always have trouble putting it down). While I enjoy the writings of other authors, not many of them cause me to get lost in a book long after I have found the reference I was seeking. Part of this is the subject of course, and the title says it all: herbs for strength, stamina and stress relief. For most of us, particularly as we enter midlife, stress (which is endemic in our culture) is the number one health issue we face, because it breaks down our immune systems and affects our health at every level. Adaptogens support health because they restore the balance to our body systems that stress destroys. These gentlemen begin by defining adaptogens, and then explain the processes occurring in our bodies as a result of stress, whether environmental and biochemical, or emotional and spiritual, and they explain how the various adaptogenic herbs support well-being in the body in the face of these stressors. (What's more, adaptogens are extremely benign substances-- most of them can not easily be overused, and some are really foods for the body.)

Early on (Chapter 3, History of Adaptogens) the authors discuss the various herbal traditions which have made adaptogens a major part of their healing regime, primarily Auyurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Eclectic herbalism. (18 of the 22 adaptogens they mention have been used in Auyurveda and TCM, most for thousands of years.)

Chapters 4 (Actions of Adaptogens), 5 (Adaptogens and the Stress Response), and 6 (Health Benefits of Adaptogens) get into the science of how they work, with specific references to each of the herbs covered in the book. Part 2 is devoted to a Materia Medica of adaptogenic herbs world wide, and includes a monograph on each herb which features location of origin, cultivation, safety data, history/ethnobotany, modern useage, and scientific studies-- usually at least 2or 3. A great touch are the sections following the Materia Medica, which give basic data (dosage, use and safety) for herbs which are nervines (nervous system tonics) and nootropics (cerebral stimulants) which work with adaptogens. Nervines often are herbs which aid in restlful sleep and reduce anxiety, such as chamomile or passionflower, or hawthorn, which is not only a cardiac tonic but good for hyperactivity. Nootropics enhance memory (gotu kola,rosemary, licorice), improve mood (lavender, rosemary), and reduce cognitive decline(gingkgo).

Other highlights: Chapter 12, Adaptogens as Food, includes recipes, many of them traditional, for foods in which adaptogenic herbs are key ingredients. Chapter 13, Adaptogens for Animals, covers use of these herbs to aid our companion animals. Finally, the Resources at the end of the book help you find sources for herbal products, followed by a glossary, bibliography, and index.

I give it 5 stars.

Crow's Short List of Herbal Resources in Print

The Herb Quarterly, Concord CA, www.herbquarterly.com

The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal by David Hoffman, 1999, Element Books.

An Elders' Herbal by David Hoffman, 1993, Healing Arts Press.

Sacred Plant Medicine by Stephen Harrod Buhner, 1996, Raven Press.

Sacred and Herbal Healing Beers by Stephen Harrod Buhner, 1996, Siris Books.

Herbal Antibiotics by Stephen Harrod Buhner, 1999, Storey Books.

Plant Spirit Medicine by Eliot Cowan, 1995, Swan.Raven & Co.

Tales of a Shaman's Apprentice by Mark J. Plotkin, 1993, Penguin.

Bekki's Very Short List of Herbals:

The Complete Book of Herbs by Leslie Bremness, 1988, Dorling Kindersley (Penguin)- A great place to start, includes a lot of herbs, with cultivation info as well as herbal uses. Will get you familiar with the plants and help you plan a great herb garden.

(Dorling Kindersley Handbook of) Herbs by Leslie Bremness, 1994, Dorling Kindersley- Has almost every herb ever used anywhere- but not a lot of info on each one. So it's a place to get basic information which you can then pursue further via internet or library.

Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West by Michael Moore,1979, Museum of New Mexico Press-- very informative, and not limited to plants of this region, since a number of them grow all over the US. Valuable because it includes Osha root, one of our favorites, and a number of other fine medicinals. Moore is an excellent herbalist and has a humorous and enjoyable writing style.

Los Remedios: Traditional Herbal Remedies of the Southwest by Michael Moore,1992, Red Crane Press-- a good companion to the above, but stands on it own. Many familiar plants (like chamomile) but also native and Hispanic uses for a wide variety of indigenous plants., including special ways of preparing.

All you Ever Wanted to Know About Herbs for Pets by Mary Wulff-Tilford and Gregory Tilford, 1999, Bow-Tie Press-- good intro to herbalism and invaluable resource if you have pets. Includes horses and a few others, but mostly focuses on cats and dogs.

4 Paws, 5 Directions: Chinese Medicine for Cats and Dogs by Cheryl Schwartz, DVM, 1996, Celestial Arts Publishing- - user friendly for the thoughtful animal owner. Includes info on diet and acupressure.

Vital Man: Natural Health Care for Men at Midlife

by Stephen Harrod Buhner, 2003, Avery, New York $16.95pp
reviewed by Crow

Buhner just keeps writing amazing, powerful and useful books. It is hard to keep up with him, even to know what he has out there. In a recent search Bekki came up with: The Lost Language of Plants: The Ecological Importance of Plant Medicines to Life on Earth, (up for future review: anyone interested in reviewing it?), Healing Lyme, and Herbs for Hepatitis C and the Liver, (two of his books tightly focused on helping those with specific health challenges). We also have, but have not read, The Secret Teachings of Plants: The Intelligence of the Heart in Direct Perception of Nature.

Vital Man is up for review now because it will inevitably be compared with James Green's The Male Herbal (reviewed elsewhere in this Newsletter). Vital Man is powerful and useful because it is detailed, thoughtful and well informed. It begins with a serious look at the personal effects of sexual hormones, both natural and those pumped into our environment by the chemical industry. Human beings are not just sexual creatures but it is amazing how important the maintenance of the appropriate balance of male and female sex hormones is to almost every aspect of male health. This is true at every age but especially so "at midlife."

The core of the book looks at nine major organ/functioning systems of the male body and their health challenges. Each section begins with a couple of pages of general philosophical musings, often quite amusing, to set the tone and get us on track with Buhner's approach. Then he gives very readable descriptions of how the organ works, especially when challenged.

(e.g. "My urine stream became weak and diverged into two streams, neither of which would reliably hit the target. I had to go more often and took longer to get things moving. Suddenly the kidneys and bladder took on an importance I didn't want them to have." p.163)

If you know you have a particular health challenge, or can identify it from his description, then he goes in depth into ways you can meet the challenge. Now, "natural health care" does not mean just herbs and diet, though he is very thorough in outlining the particulars of those. It also includes vitamins, minerals, and in some cases other specific chemicals which will go to make up an effective combined therapy for your problem.

He advocates nettles, ginkgo, the ginsengs, B vitamins, vitamin C and zinc for almost every condition, and carefully explains why for each condition. He is well familiar with a vast pharmacopoeia, including Chinese, Ayurvedic and other Asian herbs, and brings that into play where appropriate. He also acknowledges the usefulness of "Diet, Exercise and other Unmentionables." These include massage, yoga and deep tissue body work.

He also goes into things to avoid; foods and other substances which interfere with our healing. The bad news is, he really does not like caffeine in coffee or even black tea and, sorry guys, BEER IS REALLY BAD NEWS. Actually not "beer," just beer made with hops. Hops were introduced in the 16th century because they help us (Men) control our sex drive. (p.55‑57) (Actually, they don't help us, they help society keep us damped down.) So, if you don't want to be damped down or are just curious, you really need to read Buhner's section on hops, and then start looking for the excellent beers made with the alternatives: he tells you where...

The good news is, in his section on 'Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy for Men,' he says (age old argument between men and women), "there are good reasons for men with androgenic imbalances to allow themselves to regularly view erotic images." (p.53)

On that, perhaps silly, note let's ask, "Which should I buy, Green or Buhner?" The best and most shamanic answer is, of course, both, and some others besides. The books are very different. Vital Man includes up to date knowledge of physiology, medicine and herbalism in a focused, detailed and useful format. It provides and excellent overall understanding of disease processes and how to deal with them: it will be a reference book for us for years. The Male Herbal is a friendlier book, one to read and reread and even keep by your bed for guidance and inspiration. It has been in print for at least 16 years ‑ a very rare thing ‑ and has recently been reissued in a new cover and format. It continues to be well loved.

Since Vital Man is, largely, a book about aging I must borrow two of Buhner's quotations to end on:

"How old would you be if you didn't know how old you was?"
Satchel Paige

"Old age is like everything else. To make a success of it you've got to start young."
Felix Marten

Millennium: Tribal Wisdom and the Modern World
A Ten Part Series
Touching the Timeless - Part 6
Host: David Maybury-Lewis

Reviewed by: Sidonia (aka Pat)
Student of Shamanism
Norfolk VA

The Video Series was broken into 10 Segments. Each one pertaining to societies attempt to remake other world cultures as the old ways struggle to continue. Segment 6: Touching The Timeless, has two parts to it.

The first part is about the Huichol people of Mexico making an annual pilgrimage to collect peyote, the sacred food of the gods. Here we meet a husband and wife who are to join a Shaman named Pedro who leads them on the journey to collect the peyote. Chalio is going on the pilgrimage to find his heart, he questions his Catholic faith, his wife who follows the old ways and their infant child accompany him. The trip is about 300 miles long, they travel most of it by truck, and along the way they stop to confess their sins, and ask forgiveness of the gods. They continue the journey to the lands of the ancestors where they must continue on foot as the people before them did. When they arrive the Shaman invokes the 5 directions, the 5th direction is the center, "our hearts", so with pure hearts they can then hunt the footprints of the Sacred Deer. The Peyote are the footprints of the Deer. They make offerings of corn, food, and candles. They eat the peyote for a heart must be open so the gods may come into them. They harvest the peyote for the coming year, and return to the village with it. The Huichol believe to mis-use the peyote is a fearful sin, and it a fearful punishment. Chalio finds that he is just Huichol. The tradition continues for as long as there are Huichol.

The next segment of Touching the Timeless is about Billie Yellow, an 85 year old Navajo Medicine Man who lives in Monument Valley. He invites the spirits into his world each day by chanting and walking in beauty. "Starting the day the way the world starts". We are then taken through his day while he teaches his grandsons to sing and listen to the songs of the ancestors, for they will be the ones to sing after he is gone. As his day continues he does a blessing for one of the grandsons with a hummingbird he catches in his hands, then he does healing work with the creation of a sand painting for a grandson whose father had killed a snake two years before, and and since then the boy had been afflicted with a skin rash that looked like snakeskin. Billie Yellow chants and sings while the grandson sits on the sand painting, calling the spirits into the painting, and the boy is cured. Following the methods used and passed down by the ancestors and spirit. Passing on to the grandsons the traditions of old.

In both of these segments, there are onlookers behave as if the traditions of these people are a side show they are watching. Not understanding the ways of the old, it is easier to look at what is going on as un-natural, out of the "Norm". For generations civilization has tried to change and modernize these tribal people and their beliefs. There are fewer and fewer people carrying on the old ways. The Shaman and Medicine man in the two segments are guiding and teaching others so that the traditions live on, some will learn and follow, some will not. The video makes me think about what I can learn from the tribal societies and my ancestors, allies and guides, to carry on traditions, spiritual beliefs, the way of life that has been passed down through generations, and to teach others. How to connect with spirit, respect spirit, and honor spirit. I believe the Shaman Pedro and Medicine Man Billie Yellow have a lesson for all of us. I found the video easy to follow, and narrated well. I would recommend it to any one interested in understanding more about our society and spiritual history, and how the past has effected our out look on society today.