Farmacology

By: Daphne Miller, M.D.

Farmacology explores the relationship between agriculture and health. The author begins her exploration into the complexities of health systems after a trip to a farm in Washington State. This biodynamic farm taught her about the complex relationships between organisms at the soil level.

She believes that biodynamic, organic farming gives a template for approaching our health. The problem with modern medicine is like that of the problems with modern agricultural practices. Both want to isolate problems and fix them without looking at the bigger picture. For example, when industrial agriculture wants to increase yields, it only measures yields. You may think you’ve found a solution by adding fertilizer, because you’ve increased yields. However, you didn’t observe the degradation to the local environment, or the depletion of mycorrhizal fungi in the soil. These are chronic symptoms that have long term cons. It severely outweighs the short-term benefit of increased yields. Health works in much the same way. The overuse of antibiotics causes long term immune system weaknesses, as well as an increased population of bacteria immune to medications.

While the book was certainly thought provoking, it did have a certain pseudo-scientific vibe. Towards the end of the book crystals were mentioned (note the author admitted to no scientific proof of these working).  This is the primary reason for giving it 3 stars. Most of the information I’ve read in other books, but if you don’t read from the same pile as myself you can still benefit from the information.

I don’t have much else to say and I’m experiencing some writers block, so I’ll end this review short today. Just remember to eat your fruits and veggies, buy local, and choose grass fed meat options.

Over and Out,

Jacob