Michael Tierra

Michael Tierra

The fundamental philosophy behind Michael Tierra’s learning and experience is that we should not confine ourselves to one system of medicine but take advantage of the knowledge and wisdom of all cultures, our planetary wisdom which provides us with universal principles for mankind, bringing the best from all these cultures together. This is what his book, Planetary Herbology, and his teaching is based upon. Tierra believes that assessment of the patient is the most important element to herbal medicine but by understanding and determining the energy of a person, rather than just prescribing on the basis of disease, as this is not always the most appropriate option. This ‘differential diagnosis’ is fundamental to the practice of herbal medicine, and is something the ancient Chinese and Indian cultures have tended to be use more than Western civilization. This diagnosis is based on many different principles: a person’s constitution, whether they are ‘hot or cold’, the yin and yang of a person (homeostasis), their tongue, how they walk and talk, what they are deficient in, what do they have in excess. Michael Tierra’s experience also highlights the historical, cultural and fundamental concept of Tri-dosha. This defines three different humors which early Middle Eastern and Greek medicine was based upon. These three humors are
* vata: wind-nerve-based constitution
* kapha: water-fluid-based constitution
* pitta: fire based constitution
The basis to all herbal medicine using this principle is that these three humors need to be balanced in a person and remedies can be used to help achieve this when that is not the case.
Tierra argues that in Western practices these energies are not embraced and there is no traditional energy classification of them. Also using differential diagnosis is more complex than just basing diagnosis on a disease and treating that.
Therefore Tierra acknowledges that in herbal medicine you do have to try out and test combinations. Although mainstream medicine has its place, the advantage of herbal is that it is generally mild in form and will not completely overcome the nature of the person like orthodox medicine can with the result of a plethora of possible adverse reactions.
As Tierra points out,
“Herbs are the first medicine of humanity and we turn to them because we expect them to be mild and forgiving. Having said this, in the hands of a well trained Planetary Herbalist, their benefits are enormous”
The Tri-dosha energies that Tierra describes can be balanced out by Triphala, three fruits. These, in the right combination and context for a person, bring the body back to balance by eliminating the toxins that the body does not need, without weakening the system.
Tierra asks us, what is a toxin? It’s not necessarily a poison or something that is bad for you on a consistent basis but is basically what your body doesn’t need. Therefore anything can be toxic to you and detoxification is getting rid of what you don’t need at any particular time.
However to detoxify you have to have the energy to eliminate natural toxins which is something that Tierra believes many methods do not consider. It’s not good to just eat raw vegetables or only salad for example as the body needs energy to detoxify. If you don’t balance you are just overwhelming your body with one thing, that in turn could make it toxic to you!
After studying other cultures herbal medicine, Tierra has introduced Triphala to the western world which exemplifies his philosophy to bring the highest healing wisdom and knowledge from all cultures to benefit all. Triphala uniquely promotes balanced detoxification and elimination while acting as a mild tonic – thus causing no deficiencies. It is excellent for helping digestion, liver function, while promoting bowel regularity even for those with an atonic or laxative dependent lower bowel.
Tierra advises that Triphala can be used as a base around which other remedies can be added.
The three fruits that are part of Triphala are
* amla (emblica myrobalans)– ‘the most important herb in the world’ and the best known source of vitamin C, an anti-oxidant par excellence, that is pretty good for everything, as well as being impervious to ageing
* behada (beleric myrobalan) – which is good for cardio-vascular
* harada (chebulic myrobalan) – for balancing the body and mind