Physic: A Primer of Herbal Medicine

A detailed guide to understanding what is needed to effectively treat patients with herbal medicine Drawing on decades of experience, Julian Barker provides a comprehensive approach to the practice of herbalism, encompassing many of the problems a herbalist may encounter and offering advice on how they can help. Placing natural science at the forefront of its discussion, the initial section of Physic takes a wide-lens approach to exploring human biology, discussing the inner physiology of the human body, through concepts such as energy, movement, cycles and temperament. It also presents Barker’s concept of poise, which is the human ability to maintain an adaptive ratio. The book moves on, in part two, to consider the actual practice of herbalism, discussing important aspects of the interaction between herbalist and patient. Physic culminates in a discussion surrounding the influence of plants upon people, including an extensive Materia Medica. Physic provides a wealth of information regarding the needs of both the patient, and the practitioner who looks after them, solidifying it as a foundational textbook for students and practitioners of herbal medicine for years to come.