I think everyone is always in agreement to get the Childs Tear, but many players understand that is not an easy task, and choose to do other things while they wait
[You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.] OP wouldn't be posting if Childs Tears were as common in EQ as they are in real life.
Epic is a bit overrated when it comes to leveling though. With Fungi, JBB, Fungi Staff, and Black Fur Boots, you are pretty comparable in solo speed, you just got to play differently than root rot. I got to 60 pretty quick with those things and without Epic.