Herb and Health News
Herb & Health News ASTRAGALUS COMBINES WELL WITH CHEMOTHERAPY The combination of Huang Qi (Astragali Radix)-based Chinese herbal medicine and platinum-based chemotherapy is more effective in the trea …
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Acupuncture Treatment Questions (FAQ)
How safe is acupuncture and is it painful? The needles used in acupuncture at the East West Clinic are absolutely sterile, strictly disposable and extremely smooth and fine. This makes for the least a …
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Letters from Students and Graduates
Students and graduates write testimonials and letters of gratitude to the East West School of Planetary Herbology …
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Michael’s Biography
Dr. Michael Tierra L.AC. OMD, AHG is one of the forerunners of the North American Natural Health movement and was amongst one of the first groups of acupuncturists to be licensed in the country. He be …
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Interview with Michael
Michael Tierra and the Roots of Planetary Herb Products Kirsten Anderson Dec. 14, 2005 Categories of time and place don’t seem to apply to Dr. Michael Tierra, the renowned herbalist, clinician, educ …
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A Selection of Four Case Histories from the East West Clinic
Some cases treated at the East West Clinic Knee pain and diabetes Patient Man, AGE 67, 4/14/93 Symptoms Right knee pain, recently diagnosed with diabetes Observations Pulse: slippery, hollo …
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Treating Staph Infections Including MRSA with Echinacea
by Michael Tierra R.H., L.Ac, O.M.D., A.H.G….PurposeTo determine the efficacy based on a three day trial period for the use of Echinacea Full Spectrum Herb Extract, manufactured and distributed b …
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Jade Screen: Traditional Chinese formula to Strengthen the Immune System
The Best Formula for Colds and Flu Prevention (and the first line of natural defense against the threatened flu pandemic) By Michael Tierra L.Ac., O.M.D., founder of the American Herbalists Guild In …
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Albizia: The Tree of Happiness
For many, an effective natural approach for the treatment of mild states of depression and anxiety Michael Tierra L.Ac., O.M.D., Founder of the American Herbalists Guild The flowers and bark of the m …
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Kichari: The Food of the Gods
By Michael Tierra With his ageless axiom, Let your food be your medicine and your medicine, your food, Hippocrates, regarded as the father of medicine might as well be referring to kichari. This del …
DetailsOur Mission
The East West School of Planetary Herbology is committed to providing the best possible training for home herbalists, health professionals and clinical herbal practitioners so that they may serve the …
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East West Herbal Seminar, April 24-May 1, 2020: Update as of March 11th: Our Onsite Seminar is Cancelled. Details on a virtual webinar based seminar coming soon.
Our seminar focus this coming year is on clinical and herbal first aid. This includes treatment of pain with a hands-on (so to speak!) class on Korean Hand Therapy.
The Therapies Track returns with an emphasis on medicine making along with several classes in channel massage. As well we’ll continue with Jill Barnattan’s wonderful short yoga sessions between meals and before bedtime called, “Unwind Your Mind.”
Practitioner Seminar
Herbal Seminar Practitioner Track: April 27-28, 2019. This track is for our East West graduates who have previously attended three seminar levels (CEUs available for licensed acupuncturists and the AHG). This year our hot topics are:
• 7Song, Herbal First Aid (Saturday)
• Roy Upton: Pearls from the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia® (Sat evening)
• Ingrid Bauer: Herb Drug Interactions (Sunday morning and afternoon)
• Michael Tierra: Korean Hand Therapy (Sunday evening)
Creating a Legal Profession
by Dr. Michael Tierra L.AC., O.M.D. Year long sales of herbal products ending in May 1998 is over 106 million dollars compared to 57 million dollars for previous years. This represents an increase of …
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Case Study on the Changing Nature of Externally Contracted Diseases
by East West Student, Lynn Durst As a student of the East West Herb Course I have found that I have made many mistakes while attempting to correct imbalances. I prefer to think of them as learning wha …
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Case history: 50 year-old male with hepatitis C and auto immune hepatitis
The following case submitted by my student Tom Morgan completely corroborates my clinical experience in treating this disease. The basic herbal recommendations are three Planetary Formulas available o …
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Hepatitis C: The ‘Phantom virus’ and Hepatitis C Cases Successfully Treated with Herbs and Diet
by Dr. Michael Tierra, OMD The formulas I’m currently recommending include Planetary Formulas’ Bupleurum Liver Cleanse, Shiitake Mushroom Supreme and Liver Defense. In addition to this I recommend two …
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Narcolepsy
by Chanchal Cabrera……Case history review, first presented at the case studies conference in Boulder 1998. The greatest irony of this case was that his wife was also a patient, presenting wit …
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Stage C Prostate Cancer
Submitted by East West student Camille C. Pratt My husband, Ron, had prostate cancer, Stage C, and 13 months later was diagnosed cancer free. After receiving 35 radiation treatments, Ron was sent home …
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Basic Fat-Burning Soup and Seven-Day Diet Program
Modified by Dr. Michael Tierra L.AC., O.M.D.Ingredients 6 large green onions or large red onion 1-2 cans of tomatoes 1 large head of cabbage 2 green peppers 1 bunch celery rosemary & tarragon for flav …
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Increase Vitality and Productivity With Some Simple Food Tips
Shasta Tierra L.Ac., AHG Do you eat the same food year round? Do you experience low energy after eating certain food? Have you wondered why when you’ve hardly eaten any calories you still have a hard …
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Our First Food, Protein: Kinds of Protein, How Our Bodies Use It, and How Much We Need
Sarah Holland …Director of the East West Herb Course in the U.K. Throughout life our needs change, that is part of the continuous cycle and continual striving for balance. Balance is the key in l …
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Book Review: Chinese Herbal Medicines: Comparisons and Characteristics
by Michael Tierra L.Ac., OMD, AHG I recently picked up a treasure of a book entitled Chinese Herbal Medicines: Comparisons and Characteristics, by Yifan Yang, published by Churchill Livingstone (2002) …
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Free Land: Free Love: Tales of a Wilderness Commune
Michael TierraPurchase this book.Some of the healers and systems of alternative medicine that have emanated from the late 1960’s Black Bear Ranch in the Klamath wilderness of Northern California are a …
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Blackberry Wine
By Michael Tierra Tinctures are one way to take herbs but herbal wines are still another. They have the advantage of lower alcohol content and are cheaper because you don’t have to …
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Chyawanprash
Dr. Michael Tierra L.AC., O.M.D. Long, long ago, there was a sage in India named Chyawan who lived in a forest. His hair was matted and he was covered with tree growth after years of meditating in …
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Weeds as Medicine, Weeds as Food
Michael Tierra L.Ac, OMD, AHG founder It is everyone’s birthright to learn how to use the common wayside weeds that may be indigenous or naturalized in their immediate vicinity because t …
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Herbal Medicine in Shakespeare’s England
From Dr. John Hall’s Case Studies Dr. Michael Tierra L.AC., O.M.D. Who was John Hall: A most renowned 16th century physician-herbalist, born approximately 1575 and died in 1635. He moved to Stratfor …
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Jim Duke’s Brief History of Medicine (humor)
Telescoping History of Medicine 2,000,000 B.C. Sign Language; eat this root … 2000 B.C. – “Here, eat this root ” … 600 AD. Eat that Nigella. … 1000 A.D. That root is heathen. Here, say …
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Summary of Traditional Eclectic Organ Affinity Botanicals
Compiled by Richard L. Farr The method of Eclectic Specific Medication was developed by John Milton Scudder, M.D. in the early 1870’s and became the dominant approach to therapeutics by the Eclectic …
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The Herbal Tradition
Egyptian Herbal Medicine … Egyptian medicine was widely respected throughout the ancient Mediterranean world.The earliest written records of its practices are to be found in the Ebers Papyrus, da …
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What is Eclecticism?
A.J. Collins, M.D. Introduction by Dr. Michael Tierra This is a piece of medical history. American Eclecticism was an officially recognized branch of North American medicine that predominantly used …
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Traditional Western Herbal Medicine
Dr. Michael Tierra L.AC., O.M.D. Traditional Western Herbal Medicine evolved from the Greeks who were strongly influenced by the Egyptians and Middle Eastern civilizations. In fact, with …
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MD Hysteria Against Herbs Reaches Epidemic Proportions: Threatens Nation’s Health
By Alan Tillotson, Ph.D…. … August 2, 2000… For Immediate Release… … A mass epidemic of hysteria against common plants use for health purposes has… emerged over the past …
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Why Standardized Herbal Extracts?
Dr. Michael Tierra L.AC., O.M.D. A shortened and more carefully edited form of this article is published in two parts in the February and March, 1999 issue of Natural Foods Merchandiser. This is an e …
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Asafoetida
For Digestive Weakness, Food Allergies and Candida Dr. Michael Tierra L.Ac., O.M.D. Asafoetida (Ferula foetida), also known as Narthex or Hing. Recognized by its overwhelming odor which has given ris …
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Ashwagandha: Wonder Herb of India
By Dr. Michael Tierra There is an herb regarded as a 1st class adaptogenic tonic in one of the world’s greatest herbal medical systems, an herb which can compare favorably to the world’s most reno …
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Assembling an Herbal First Aid Kit
Susan W. Kramer, Ph.D., Esq. I’ve always been fascinated by first aid kits. As a child I loved going to sporting goods stores where I would run to the camping department and would (clandestinely) ope …
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Contemporary History of the Escharotic Black Salve
Narrated by Clark Bigham to Dr. Michael Tierra It was some 28 years ago, that my son was diagnosed with glomurulonephritis. Since conventional western medicine has nothing to offer by the way o …
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Elder (Sambucus nigra)
Herb of the month, May, 1999 Compiled by Michael Tierra L.Ac., O.M.D. Elder (Sambucus Nigra) Part used: the flower and the berries… Family: Caprifoliaceae… All parts are used including the …
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Flowers as Medicine
The Way of Herbs revisited… Dr. Michael Tierra L.AC., O.M.D. Herbal medicine is a humble art. I like to think that herbs are in our path as a symbol of the abiding love of the Great Spirit for all …
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Garlic Butter Better for Preventing Heart Attacks
By Alan Tillotson, Ph.D., AHG Recent TV ads from major cholesterol-lowering drugs like Lipitor flash language stating that the medicines do not prevent heart attacks or heart disease. In comparison, …
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Ginseng: The Effect of Steaming
(This Includes the Chinese and Korean Red Ginseng) Report Says Hot Steam Dramatically Increases Ginseng’s Potency Steaming ginseng at higher temperatures can boost its potency dramatically, according …
DetailsHow to Cook a Chinese Herbal Formula
By Al Stone, L.Ac…. As is the case with many aspects of traditional Chinese medicine, there are many ways to get results. When it comes to the steeping of raw herbs for medicinal …
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Is Soy Richer in Isoflavones?
Jim Duke Is soy (Glycine) really richer in isoflavones ,as soy-sponsored studies indicate, than Phaseolus beans? Perhaps I am blind to possible errors in the Kaufmann et al paper, showing many legumes …
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Kava: Powerful Anti-Stress Herb
Dr. Michael Tierra L.Ac., O.M.D., Founder of the American Herbalists Guild The belief that there is an herb for every human condition is attested by the unique virtues of Kava. A member of the pepper …
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Loquat Leaf, Fruit and Seed
Dr. Michael Tierra L.Ac., O.M.D. Biological Name: Rosaceae Eriobotryae japonicae Other Names: Loquat leaf, pi pa ye Is a subtropical tree belonging to the rosaceae family. The fruit, kernel and tender …
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Mullein (Verbascum Thapsus) Scrophulariaceae Family
It is a native to Britain with various species found throughout Europe, Asia, the Himalayas and India. It has naturalized itself throughout the United States. … Other names blanket herb, Aaron’s …
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Near Forgotten Remedies
Herbs from Scudder’s Pocket Case found in his The Essentials of Practice. Dr. Michael Tierra L.AC., O.M.D. The Three Arterial Sedatives: veratrum, aconite and gelsemium. 1. Veratrum Viride (America …
DetailsNigella Sativa
Commonly Known As “Love in the Mist” A Beautiful Middle Eastern Herb With Many Uses Dr. Michael Tierra L.AC., O.M.D. Nigella, (NIGELLA SATIVA L.) Black Cumin, Fitch (Biblical), Love in the Mist, Fitc …
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Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola Rosea by Michael Tierra, L.Ac, AHG Rhodiola Rosea is a member of the family Crassulaceae, a family of plants native to the arctic regions of Eastern Siberia. It grows at altitudes of 11,000 …
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The Emmenagogues
Herbs that move blood and relieve pain Dr. Michael Tierra L.AC., O.M.D. 1 Vervain 8 Saffron 15 Blue Cohosh 2 Corydalis 9 Calendula 16 Rose Flowers 3 Turmeric 10 Frankincense 17 Chaste Berries …
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The Wonders of Triphala
Triphala is the most popular Ayurvedic herbal formula of India, since it is an effective laxative that also supports the body’s strength. The constitution of vegetarian Hindus cannot tolerate harsh laxatives anymore than vegetarians in other countries. Because of its high nutritional value, Triphala uniquely cleanses and detoxifies at the deepest organic levels without depleting the body’s reserves. This makes it one of the most valuable herbal preparations in the world.
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Three Commonly Used Herbs of Croatia
Michael Tierra On a recent visit to the Dalmatian coast, including the beautiful coastline cities of Split and Dubrovnik, I encountered at the local market bazaars venders of the finest grade selling …
DetailsTreating Depression with St. John’s Wort
Dr. Michael Tierra L.AC., O.M.D. Remember Woody Allen’s film Annie Hall? The name was changed from the original Anne Hedonia (or ‘anhedonia’ from an meaning “not” and hedonia from hedonist meaning “p …
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Viola Herb (Zi Hua Di Ding, Herba Violae)
This herb is the whole plant (including root) of the perennial herb, Viola yedoensis Mak. (Family Violaceae). It is collected in spring when the fruit is ripe, washed and dried in sunlight, cut into s …
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What about the Preparation of Herbs
Herbs should be processed before using or making into various forms. Because most Chinese herbs are used unprepared, besides general handling, quite a few should be specifically processed to meet dema …
DetailsA Comparison of the Spleen Between Chinese and Western Medicines
Lesley Tierra L.Ac Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have long been viewed as two distinct and divergent medicines. Their approaches to physiology and healing appear quite diffe …
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Ayurveda: The Mother of Natural Healing
Dr. Michael Tierra, L.ac., O.M.D., Herbalist, AHG The culture and philosophy of India has had a profound impact on the West over the last several decades. Almost weekly we read reports in popular mag …
DetailsChinese Herbalism in America
Dr. Michael Tierra L.AC., O.M.D. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Traditional Chinese Medicine was being overshadowed by Western scientific medicine. Many were turning to this because they a …
DetailsComparing the Liver According to Traditional Chinese and Western Scientifc Physiology
Dr. Michael Tierra L.Ac.,O.M.D. Perhaps in no organ system is the similarity and difference between Western physiological and Traditional Chinese physiology more evident than in the TCM description o …
DetailsDivergent Meridian Points
The purpose is to balance Zang-FU. Usually one Yang divergence on one side and one Yin divergence on the other side is used with GST. Do not cross-connect divergences. The traditional connectsion are …
DetailsIntegrating the Traditional Chinese Understanding of the Kidneys into Western Herbalism
Dr. Michael Tierra L.AC., O.M.D. Introduction That Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete system of primary health care is obvious to those who have devoted years in its study. However, fo …
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Integrating the Traditional Chinese Theory and Treatment of the Lungs with that of Western Physiology
Michael Tierra L.Ac., O.M.D. LUNGS The Lungs rule Qi, have a dispersing and descending function and are directly connected to the exterior environment. This makes them vulnerable to external invasion …
DetailsNotes on Herb-Drug and Herb-Herb Contraindications
Andrew Bentley, Herbalist Following are some very insightful comments on herb-to-herb and herb drug contraindications submitted to the forum by herbalist, Andrew Bentley. I consider them to be very in …
DetailsPhytoestrogens
Sharol Tilgner N.D. The term phytoestrogen is used loosely in the herbal community. There is no current agreed upon definition for this term. Basically the term is used for any plant that has one or m …
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Psychospiritual aspects of Herbal Medicine
Dr. Michael Tierra L.AC., O.M.D. A disease is of greater complexity according to the depth of neurological and emotional involvement. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the relationship of diseas …
DetailsThe Chinese Five Elements
Dr. Michael Tierra L.AC., O.M.D. WOOD FIRE EARTH METAL WATER PLANET Jupiter Mars Saturn Venus Mercury DIRECTION East South Center West North SEASON Spring Summer Indian Summer Autumn …
DetailsThe Five Stagnations
The Mother of all Diseases … Dr. Michael Tierra O.M.D., L.A.C…. and Lesley Tierra L.A.C. The Five Stagnations are Qi, Blood, Fluid, Cold and Food. These are determined according to their l …
DetailsWood: the Liver and Gall Bladder
The Su Wen, in chapter 8, states: The Liver holds the office of General of the armed forces. Assessment of circumstances and conception of plans springs from it. The General is for the defence of lif …
DetailsHerb-Drug Contraindications
Verdict: DON’T TAKE DRUGS WITH HERBS! An Herbalist’s Perspective… …
DetailsTreating Dupuytren’s Disease with Vitamin E
Michael Tierra L.Ac., O.M.D., AHGThis is a condition where the palmar fascia which is the fibrous tissue beneath the skin of the palm and fingers thickens. This in turn forms a abnormal thickening of …
DetailsResearch Progress in the Prevention and the Treatment for Endotoxic Diseases with Traditional Chinese Medicine
Sichuan Provincial Institute of Chinese Materia Medica(Proceedings of TCM Conference at West China University of Medical Science…1995) By Deng Wenlong……The term “pathogenic toxin” refer …
DetailsHerbal Treatment for AIDS Using Planetary Formulas
Dr. Michael Tierra L.AC., O.M.D. Formulae Reishi Mushroom Supreme…2 tablets 3x day Yin Energertics and Yang Energetics…3 yin and 1 Yang 3x day Complete Pau d’Arco…2 tablets 3x day Buy 1 …
DetailsHerbs for Spring Allergies
Dr. Michael Tierra L.AC., O.M.D. Spring is a time of new growth and the flowering of ideas generated through the Winter. It is also a time when animals typically shed their heavier winter coat for the …
DetailsAnkylosing Spondylitis
By Camellia PrattDefinition: (Marie Stumpel disease) fixation of joint, often in abnormal position. -Chronic inflammatory disease of unknown origin.-Systemic disease Etiology & pathogenesisThis diseas …
DetailsHerbal Treatment of Arthritis and Rheumatic Pains
Called “B” (Blockage) Syndrome Dr. Michael Tierra L.AC., O.M.D. General treatment of arthritis, neuralgia: salt packs, potato juice, moxibustion, warm baths, massage, ginger oil, Chinese and pearl bar …
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European Phytotherapy: Some Selected Herbs and Supplements
Mugwort Olive Tree Orthosiphon Passion Flower Red Poppy Red Vine Rosemary Sage Sarsaparilla Kelp Senna Siberian Ginseng Nettles Tabashir Silica Green Tea W …
DetailsUpper Respiratory System
Michael Tierra L.Ac., O.M.D. LUNGS The Lungs rule Qi, have a dispersing and descending function and are directly connected to the exterior environment. This makes them vulnerable to external invasion …
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Yorubic Medicine: The Art of divine Herbology
Tariq Sawandi Yorubic medicine is indigenous to and widely practiced on the African continent. Yorubic medicine has its roots in the Ifa Corpus, a religious text revealed by the mystic prophet, Orunm …
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Brief History and Culture of Tobacco
Michael Tierra L.Ac, O.M.D., A.H.G., June 2007 Nicotiana Rustica Nicotiana Tobacum Nicotiana rustica is the species of tobacco that is native to North America, unlike the larger leaved, h …
DetailsA Botanical Approach to the Treatment of Cancer
Dr. Michael Tierra L.AC., O.M.D. With one in five Americans estimated to get cancer in their lifetime, the multi-billion dollar war on cancer seems to be a faltering campaign. This means that the tre …
DetailsAyurvedic Treatment of Cancer
Based on the work of the distinguished Nepalese Ayurvedic Doctor Mana Dr. Mana is the name given by Westerners to Vaida Mana Bajra Bajracharya, a… living treasure in the world of herbal medicine. …
DetailsAlternative Therapies for Breast Cancer
By Camellia C. Pratt, DTCM The first world conference on Breast Cancer was held July 1997, in Kingston, Ontario. The chief organizer Janet Collins, a nurse and midwife had many friends and a sister fa …
DetailsDr. Miriam Lee’s Soup Recipes for Cancer, Anemia and Hypertension
Dr. Miriam Lee is one of the greatest and most reknowned acupuncturists working and teaching in Northern California. She is rightly revered as the mother of acupuncture in California because of her he …
DetailsMoxibustion and Cancer
Experimental Study of Cytobiology on Antitumor of Moxibustion and Immunomodulators by Zhao Cuiying, Chen Yunfei, Zhao Jiazeng, Chen Hanping, Zhang Yingying, and Hong Xian (Shanghai Research institute …
DetailsThoughts on the Use of Escharotic Pastes for the Treatment of Cancer
August 30, 2005 Michael Tierra While I tend to agree that local surgery and cauterization of basal cell carcinomas (BCC) is often preferable to the use of escharotic salves, this is especially true be …
DetailsTreating the Common Cold with Herbs
Dr. Michael Tierra L.AC., O.M.D. Contents Treating the Common Cold What do I do for a cold? A Holistic Approach A Home Herbal Herbal Immune Stimulant Boosting the Immune system Diaphoretics Ch …
DetailsAyurveda and Family Planning
Michael Tierra L.Ac., O.M.D.Traditionally, in India a barren relationship was considered a curse but too many children was also not recommended. The Rigveda states “A man with many children succumbs t …
DetailsChinese Herbs for Peyronie’s Disease
By Michael Tierra OMD, AHG founder Peyronie’s disease is characterized by mild to severe curvature of the penis. It is estimate that approximately 1 to 2 men out of 100 are afflicted with this disease …
DetailsAyurvedic Treatment of Insomnia
Michael Tierra L.Ac., O.M.D. Ayurveda offers some unusual and profound treatments for insomnia. Essentially the strategy is to calm Vata (nerve humour) and cool Pitta (fire humour). Herbs that are coo …
DetailsHow To Do A Liver Flush
Michael Tierra L.Ac., O.M.D., A.H.G. The liver is one of the most important detoxifying organs of the body. With hepatitis C on the rise and patients who have been exposed to a wide variety of environ …
DetailsTCM Treatment of Jaundice
by Alan Tillotson, MA, AHG and Naixin Hu Tillotson, OMD, LAC, AHG……In TCM, jaundice is usually divided into two general types: Yang Huang type, …which is acute, and Yin Huang type, whic …
DetailsTreating Hepatitis C with Herbs
(Notes sent to Michael from herbalist, Alan Tillotson, AHG) IntroductionI have had 100% success in relieving elevated liver enzymes associated with hepatitis C and even advanced cirrhosis by using Pla …
DetailsBiomagnetic and Herbal Therapy
Dr. Michael Tierra L.AC., O.M.D. Magnetic energy is a structuring force of the universe. As such, it is a reflection of the order that causes the infinite stars and planets throughout the galaxies to …
DetailsChinese Massage Therapy Techniques: An Overview
Nick Hudis Combining massage with herbal medicine has great benefits. Massage can enhance and speed up the action of herbal remedies, our hands can detect a wealth of diagnostic information and touch …
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