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 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, as this is the home of most of our immune cells. Hence, the latter chapters of the book focus on foods and other methods that can tackle inflammation, as well as the use of herbs.

In the ninth and final chapter, Herbert provides a Materia medica. This is impressively researched and referenced. Herbert emphasises that each of the herbs has a range of properties and that she is focusing here on their specific actions in relation to different types of inflammation. This chapter is likely to be of particular use to medical herbalists.

The addition of evocative cartoons by Lara Starling and lovely plant drawings by Holly Gregson add interest and lightness to this interesting and useful book. The inclusion of an index is very useful too!

Readers of Herbology News can claim a discount on this book until 31 August, 2022. Quote code IN20 at checkout, www.aeonbooks.co.uk