The Bookworm: Farmacology, total health from the ground up

reading the best and weeding the rest

A REVIEW BY LEEANNA TATUM OF FARMACOLOGY: TOTAL HEALTH FROM THE GROUND UP BY DAPHNE MILLER, M.D.

Farmacology: Total Health from the Ground Up by Daphne Miller, M.D. is one doctor’s exploration into the connections between what she refers to as “ecological farming” or whole-system farming and human health.

Far beyond simply exploring what healthy eating and farm-fresh foods can do for the body, Miller immerses herself in farmlife to better understand the possible correlations between a healthy farm system and the human body. She draws comparisons between the soil and skin, the effects of stress on egg-laying hens compared to the stresses of modern life for humans, and the micro-organisms of a healthy soil as compared to those in a healthy digestive system.

In its decidedly simple approach, Farmacology tackles some highly complex issues within the medical field including: improving immune systems through exposure to dirt, rejuvenating skin care with the natural power of plants and even learning to work with the body’s response to cancer cells instead of waging all out war.

Miller approached her research with the scientific mind of a doctor, but also with the openness to learn from others about their own fields of expertise. Her findings and conclusions are somewhat revolutionary while remaining firmly rooted in the systems of the natural world that we can see and touch and understand all around us - in short, her conclusions just seem like common sense.

Farmacology is well-written and enjoyable to read. It leaves the reader with plenty to think about and even some practical advice to follow for living a healthier life. Especially worthwhile for anyone in the health field.