Weiss's essay addresses important questions about the nature of phytotherapy and details issues that he considers must be addressed by physicians and medical educators approaching the field for the first time. Unfortunately the first English edition, now an acknowledged classic, is out of print and the new revised edition has cut the famous chapter. We have therefore made available an Acrobat facsimile of the essay, which can be downloaded from the pdf file library page of this site.
Herbal medicine is a safe and effective method of treatment using only plant material.
It encompasses both the most ancient and most modern of medical philosophies and has evolved to be as appropriate for today's health challenges as it was at its conception. The World Health Organisation's stated policy is to preserve and promote traditional herbal medicine because it is affordable, safe and effective. It integrates all levels of personal wellbeing, involving the individual in their own healing process. Many of the best medicinal herbs are common weeds, others are somewhat more exotic plants but all share the capacity to help restore health and maintain wellness. Herbs themselves are full of mysteries but modern science has confirmed the healing power of plants.