Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)The ambitious project by Doctors O'Mathuna and Larimore that I read in
2001 exceeded my expectations. Their updated version keeps the same high
standards.
Starting with overviews and definitions of alternative and conventional
medicine, they acknowledge the limitations of both types of medicine and
explore some follies perpetrated over the centuries in the names of both
orthodoxy and alternatives. They then move on to discuss Christian
principles of health. Their definition of holistic health does not
narrowly view it as the pursuit of physical health solely, but as part of
the means to a successful life that includes physical, emotional, social
and spiritual aspects. They also offer well-researched biblical
explanations for illness and suffering. Lastly, they offer advice on how
to pursue good health. I found all of their listed suggestions to be very
reasonable. It is hard to argue with advocates of preventative health care
visits, exercise and balanced diets.
The authors' spiritual analysis of each therapy, measuring each against a
bible-based standard, sets this book apart from others. Such information
is important because of the current trend to equate some health behaviors
with spiritual maturity, or to presume that "anything that works must be
good (or from God)." O'Mathuna and Larimore carefully look at each
treatment or supplement to evaluate possible spiritual implications, using
as much of the original source materials in each area as possible. They
also present both the overt and covert spiritual worldviews of the
therapies' practitioners. Some of these are incompatible with biblical
truth, and Christians must steer clear of them. However, both authors also
acknowledge that sometimes one's choice of health behaviors (e.g. dietary
choices) comes down to a personal conviction and not a biblical command.
Before diving into their evaluation of each specific therapy, they present
how they objectively evaluate them to determine effectiveness and safety.
Their concise primer on the scientific method and statistics is helpful
for any reader unskilled in critically evaluating the medical literature.
They briefly discuss their statistical methods, why and how the methods
originated, and then freely acknowledge the limitations and weaknesses
statistical methods have and their need for continued refinements.
If you are looking for a sweeping condemnation of all alternative
medicine, you will be disappointed (and shame on you anyway). They clearly
state when there is good evidence for the effectiveness of alternative
therapies, even if it ruffles the feathers of some conventionalists.
Conversely, they are willing to sternly warn of the ineffectiveness,
wastefulness, and potential dangers of therapies that do not meet their
objective standards. They base their reviews on the best international
literature available. This use of international literature is particularly
important given that many of the best studies available, and in some cases
the only studies done, were not performed in the United States or
published in English-based journals.
The book's major section succinctly evaluates 56 herbal remedies, vitamins
and dietary supplements. The `medicinal herbs' reviewed include ones
familiar and foreign to me, such as: aloe, ephedra, milk thistle,
pennyroyal, vitamin C, and zinc. They neither trample on nor trumpet any
given supplement, but apply consistent standards and report their results.
O'Mathuna and Larimore's research helps patients and practitioners alike
to avoid alternative therapies that are medically dangerous, drains to
their pocketbooks, and in some cases, spiritually worrisome. On the other
hand, for modalities or supplements of proven value, they inform the
reader as to what specific condition(s) they treat and how to determine
how much active element an herbal or vitamin product contains.
This is an excellent, readable resource for health practitioners and
patients alike. Alternative medicines and therapies are used by up to 40
percent of patients. Most patients and practitioners alike are woefully
uneducated about the data that supports or disapproves the efficacy of
these non-conventional approaches. Similarly, most Christians are unaware
of the spiritual significance the practitioners of some of these therapies
ascribe to them, with possible attendant dangers. In my opinion, neither
the giver nor the receiver of health care can afford to be without this
valuable reference.
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