Bibliographic entry (nonfiction):

Varro Tyler & Stephen Foster, Tyler's Honest Herbal: A Sensible Guide to the Use of Herbs and Related Remedies, Haworth, 1998.

Varro Tyler & James Robbers, Tyler's Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals, Haworth, 1998.

There has been a growing interest in various alternative medicine modalities, including the use of herbal medications. There are also a considerable number of books about herbal medicine on the market. Unfortunately, all too often one gets the impression that the authors have never met an herb which they didn't like . . . for any and all illnesses and conditions.

Tyler's works are a refreshing departure from the norm for this genre. Dr. Tyler is a professor at Purdue University, and he knows his plants. He also knows the scientific literature substantiating the efficacy of herbal remedies where it exists, and where it doesn't. Furthermore, Tyler also alerts us to the potential dangers and side effects of some herbal medicines -- vitally important information, yet often missing from many of the other herbal books on the market.

There is good reason to fear that our health care systems and pharmaceutical manufacturers may be especially vulnerable to Y2K disruptions. Who knows when things will return to "normal". It might be a good idea for people to not only stockpile first aid supplies and medications, but also be prepared to care for themselves with locally grown or foraged herbal remedies. Tyler's books should be the very first ones you add to your library, and the value of all others should be judged against Tyler's advice.

-- Stefan Stackhouse (stefans@mindspring.com), August 14, 1999

Answers

FWIW;

we design and build custom machines; just delivered three Custom Herbal Capsule Polishing and Sorting machines a few weeks ago; commencing a contract to build some Custom Herbal Capsule Filling Machines shortly; any interest - holler

Perry

-- Perry Arnett (pjarnett@pdqnet.net), August 14, 1999.

Anyone interested in buying herbs (wildcrafted, or certifed organic) by the pound can contact Frontier Herbs (Frontier Natural Products Co-op) at: PO Box 299, Norway, Iowa 52318 or call: 1-800-669-3275.

I've been ordering from them for about 20 years, and they are very reliable, reasonably priced, and organized. They deliver by UPS or US mail. An order placed by phone usually takes 4 days to arrive.

They have both cooking herbs, and medicinal herbs.

They package their products in 1 pound sealed pouches, which is managable for most families.

Call them for more info.

Margo

-- Margo Hobbs (margos.corner@mailcity.com), August 15, 1999.

I have written an Herbal First Aid booklet which I have been distributing in northern CA for the past 10 months. Part of it will be in my next book, scheduled for Jan-Feb, 2000 (!)(LLewellyn Publications, called "Herbal Gold")

I see a great need for education in this area, am devoting my own writing and all other resources to this endeavor for the rest of the year.

Madonna Sophia Compton

-- sophia compton (sophia@pacific.net), August 15, 1999.