My Father, Dr. Michael Tierra is trully inspiring to me. I have watched him over the course of my life wholeheartedly embrace herbalism. I can remember going with him to many different herbal healers all over the country, and listen to him try to get as much information from them as he could, even though sometimes it was hard to understand their english, and they seemed hesitant to teach their ancient knowlege to white people. This sort of thing never seemed to stop him . I've seen him quickly pull off the side of the road and pick a bunch of fresh herbs that seemed to call out to him, and go home and make them into many different healing rememdies for his friends, patients, and family. I've studied with him in his clinic for many years and watched him make individual formulas for his patients, and it reminded me of watching a great musician play his instrument. I am in awe of his genuine love and connection with all of the herbs - Chinese, Ayurvedic, Western, etc. For all of us who have had the honor to be with and study from someone who is trully connected with the herbs, intuitively, mentally, scientifically, clinically, etc. it is a real privilege to have a compilation of his experience in a book so all can reap the rewards.