by Steven Foster and Varro E. Tyler
When the late Varro Tyler, who died 22 August 2001, asked me to co-author the fourth edition of his classic The Honest Herbal, I could only say yes. Why? Despite the fact that I characterize the book as the "herbal herbalists love to hate," Dr. Tyler was one of the greatest proponents of herb use in American society and one of the most lucid writers on the subject. He is also one of the most misunderstood figures in American herbal traditions. All he wanted was for scientific research to be applied to herbs. He truly believed that herbs could make an important contribution to health care. Viewing herbs from a scientific standpoint, Tyler's Honest Herbal assess our most important herbs based on available scientific information. Over 120 herbs are covered including descriptive information on the source of the plant, its traditional uses, and an evaluation of the relevant and current scientific literature which helps support or disprove intended uses of the plant. Haworth Press. 1999. 442 pp. Softcover. $24.95. Order at Amazon.com link below.