ix: Book Club
Inflammation—The Source of Chronic Disease: How to Treat it with Herbs and Natural Healing (Herbert, C.: Aeon Books, 2022)
Reviewer: Marianne Hughes
This fascinating book highlights the prevalence of inflammation in the body and brain. Inflammation is understood here as the source of most of our experiences of illhealth— whether such experiences be transitory or chronic. However, there is a strong focus on chronic inflammation throughout, exploring why the initial healing process goes awry and what can be done to combat the body's over-reaction. A biomedical scientist before becoming a medical herbalist, Christine Herbert has a wealth of physiological knowledge. This knowledge is useful for the reader who wishes to understand the exact mechanisms of inflammation in the body, yet is easily bypassed by the reader who is more interested in the use of herbs in specific remedies. In discussing herbs to counter inflammation, Herbert introduces the term 'inflammationmediating' in preference to 'antiinflammatory', explaining that the herbs are aiming to bring resolution rather than stopping what is, initially, a healing reaction. The first few chapters cover the nature of inflammation, describing inflammatory processes in the body, the causes and risk factors for chronic inflammation, and the effects of inflammation. Specific chronic inflammatory diseases discussed include allergies, arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic fatigue, diabetes, inflammatory gut, lung, and skin diseases, and osteoporosis. Throughout, Herbert presents a positive picture of the many and variable factors that are controllable, and which can assist in tackling the inflammation underpinning these conditions. In these initial chapters, the use of case studies from Herbert's practice adds human interest, and 42
the real-life testimonies balance the complex biochemical and physiological details. These read as honest accounts, clearly stating what worked and when Herbert was unable to assess long-term impacts because the patients did not return. The studies illustrated various health issues, including rheumatoid arthritis, hyperactive thyroid gland, endometriosis, digestive problems, food intolerances, and upper respiratory tract inflammation. The case studies also offer diversity across age and gender but, sadly, not ethnicity. This would have been a useful addition. As in her recent book on sleep, Herbert emphasises the holistic nature of both health problems and healing remedies. For example, to tackle inflammation requires a strong immune system, which requires a healthy gut,
