Herbal Remedies (EYEWITNESS COMPANION GUIDES) Review

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(More customer reviews)Eyewitness Companions has a long list of publications. And this is one that will probably interest many readers. The focus? The title says it all: "Herbal Remedies." I am somewhat skeptical about all the claims made for herbal medicine. On the other hand, I also know that there are some research findings suggestive of real value for some herbs.
Use of herbs to address ills of one sort or another goes way back in time. And such natural medicine is widespread in many parts of the world. The purpose of the book: ". . .'Herbal Remedies' aims to provide you with the essential information to answer [a series of basic questions], to choose safe and appropriate herbal remedies, and to put them to good use."
The book is divided into several chapters--Chapter 1 addresses what herbal medicine is; Chapter two focuses on how to use herbal remedies; the third chapter explores safety and quality; Chapter 4 may be the heart of the book, an A--Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) to Z--Zingiber officinalis (Ginger). The final chapter outlines which herbs go with what maladies (e.g., for a migraine, try Feverfew, Butterbur, or Lavender).
For me, the heart of the book is the enumeration of herbal palliatives. A few examples to illustrate. . . . The miracle of garlic! For medicinal use, the clove is the part used. The clove has several medicinal effects--antibiotic, blood-thinner, antifungal, counters cough and respiratory ailments, decreased blood pressure, lowers cholesterol, and nurtures useful intestinal flora. Dosage? One clove a day. Caution: if already taking blood thinners, take garlic only on the advice of an herbal or medical practitioner. The book also notes that there is a fair amount of research testifying to the utility of garlic treatments.
Lavender. Parts used include essential oil, flower, and leaves. It acts as an analgesic, an antidepressant, antiseptic, and sedative, among others. It appears to have some value against headaches. Key information: it is quite safe, it has long been traditionally used as a medicine, and there is some evidence that it might have positive medical benefits.
Sarsaparilla. The root is used. It may serve as an anti-inflammatory agent. Other possible impacts? Anti-rheumatic, detoxicant, diuretic, and tonic. It is fairly safe (4 of 5 stars), used pretty widely traditionally (4 of 5 stars), and open to question as far as efficacy (only 2 of 5 stars).
All in all, an enjoyable volume, and one that suggests how herbal remedies might address a variety of ailments that we all suffer from at one point or another. Especially nice is that the book provides some assessment as to how well research supports the claims for each herb.


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For anyone who wants to learn more about medicinal plants and how to use them at home, Herbal Remedies provides essential information on how to safely use herbal medicines and shows you how to create your own remedies to target common ailments.

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Healing With Herbs and Home Remedies (Hay House Lifestyles) Review

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(More customer reviews)This little book is the wisdom of one of the Grande Dames of the natural healing world. Everything has been tried over generations, and the directions are clear and to the point. The A-Z format makes it really accessible to anyone. Thanks to Hay House for reformatting this amazing information!

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This fresh and easy step-by-step guide is set up in an A-Z format. Its comprehensive content will help you take control of your nutritional challenges and create the good health you deserve. Healing with Herbs and Home Remedies A-Z shares Hanna Kroeger's lifetime of knowledge with you in a practical, easy-to-understand way, so that you can help heal yourself or just be healthier overall and more energised.

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Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook, Updated and Expanded Review

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(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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The 24-Hour Pharmacist: Advice, Options, and Amazing Cures from America's Most Trusted Pharmacist Review

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(More customer reviews)The 24 Hour Pharmacist is the perfect pill for anyone seeking insight on overall health from a resource that is thorough and fun to read. With chapter titles such as "Frazzled, Frustrated and Freaked Out: Coping with Anxiety and Stress" to "More Jiggle, Less Joint Pain: What You Can Do About Arthritis" you get the sense that the author well knows what course to recommend but also truly enjoys educating others. One feature I found especially enlightening were the sections in each chapter entitled "Suzy's Secrets From Behind The Counter". Here is where she (Suzy) offers great little insights to live by with a perspective that only a pharmacist can give. One good example of this is in the chapter about weight loss where she explains that some drugs can make you hungry. Included in her list are sedatives and tranquilizers, antidepressants, allergy pills, female hormones and diuretics. Wow, who knew?
As the owner of an enzyme company and the author of two books on enzymes, I was especially interested in the chapters dealing with Digestion and Enzymes. Chapter 4 is entitled "Do You Have the Guts to Throw Away Your Antacids?" and enzymes are discussed on pages 201 and 202 in a chapter she calls "Lose Fat While You Sleep...When Pink Elephants Fly". I must say, the information was extremely valuable yet easy to follow. I was so impressed with this book that I bought one for each member of my technical education team and asked them to become well acquainted with this excellent resource.

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As a pharmacist for almost two decades, Suzy Cohen knows that medication can often be invaluable. But she has also learned to "think outside the pill" and recommend natural options that are often just as good or better at promoting health without the risk of dangerous, drug-induced side effects. In this comprehensive, one-of-a-kind resource, she answers such questions as:


How can I stop my husband/wife from snoring?


Are vitamin pills worth it or worthless?


Are there alternatives to antidepressants?


What kind of surge protection is there for hot flashes?


How can I train my body to lose fat?

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Life Over Cancer: The Block Center Program for Integrative Cancer Treatment Review

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(More customer reviews)Having had breast cancer twice and having read virtually every book out there on the subject, I have to say that this book sets the gold standard. For starters it is well wrtten, well organized and well researched which are qualities you rarely find in this type of book. Beyond this, it contains an incredible amount of immediately useful information while maintaining the recognititon that one size does not fit all-a practice that you often find in the medical community. In my own journey through this disease, I have observed that many clinics are attempting to incorporate integrative strategies, and even though they are moving in the right direction, they are missing the whole picture. It is so blatantly clear that Dr. Block has put together all the pieces in a truly comprehensive approach. I was so impressed with this book, I bought a copy for every doctor that I have interacted with in the past few years.
If you or a family member are dealing with cancer- pay attention- this book is the one you will refer to over and over again.

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Earl Mindell's New Herb Bible: A complete update of the bestselling guide to new and traditional herbal remedies - how they can help fight depression and anxiety, improve your sex life, prevent illness, and help you heal faster Review

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(More customer reviews)
Earl Mindell's New Herb bible was one of the first books I bought on herbs. While this book is useful as a reference, it is in no way a definitive source that should be called a 'bible.' The writing is well done and simple, and the text and information aimed more toward a beginner in every sense of the word.
Mindell is more of a supplement expert, and it does show from time to time here. Some of his comments gave me pause though. For instance, he says "Homeopathic extracts used by homepathic practitioners are much stronger than conventional herbal tinctures and are strictly regulated by the FDA. They should only be used in conjunction with treatment by a homeopath practitioner." This threw me a bit, I'll admit it.
He goes on to say that herbal powders are common, yet does not mention that powdered herbs lose potency amazingly fast. When he said bitters can be nasty tasting and that some may prefer them in capsules, it's also left out that when you don't taste a bitter on the tongue, you don't get the effect, which is the point of taking a bitter. He also discusses Hippocrates as the father of modern medicine, a slight peeve of mine but no fault of the authors.
Chapter 2 is the point of the book - the 'hot hundred' Here Mindell discusses briefly 100 herbs. Some have one paragraph, others have six, with a listing of possible benefits, then how to use it, then cautions if applicable. As a quick reference for the beginner this is useful; however, it's also quite vague. Many can sit and say what an herb has been historically used for, what evidence may or may not show (using these words), but I never got the feel he put much faith into the herbs themselves.
Some of the cautions are a bit overdone as well, such as not to use blue cohosh because it could be toxic in high doses. Well....lots of things are toxic if overdosed on, does this mean we shouldn't use them in the right amount? On Cayenne pepper he states that people with gastrointestinal problems should not take cayenne and that you should be careful on the dose. Actually cayenne has shown much benefit in treating several gastrointestinal disorders and even if it feels hot going down, does not do damage or harm (or heat impact) internally. As to it causing kidney damage in high dosages? Never heard of this either.
However, this is not to say he is overly cautious about all, for he is not. He provides much of the information in a non-biased, fair way. He states the facts or studies on some herbs as they are, and then may put in his personal recommendation, such as on the comfrey controversy. His inclusion of "how to use it" for each herb came in handy as well.
From the hot hundred we go on to a listing of traditional favorites, broken down in the same way as above, then herbs from around the world (nice touch). Finally the herbal medicine cabinet has some basic and helpful remedies for a variety of complaints, from indigestion to colds and flu prevention. It ends with a chapter dedicated to women, then men, looking good, and aromatherapy.
In short it is a good book but because the scope was so large everything was kept short, basic, and simple...too much so. You learned a small bit about every herb, but not enough to really know the herb well enough. I would rather have a book that covered them in depth than barely brushing across them. All of it is generic, and cautious.
While good for a beginner, there are others out there that educate more and allow one to see the bigger picture of things. Sometimes people who are past the beginners stages take great joy and still learn from basic herbals, I know I do, but this isn't the case here. I'm afraid if you've passed Herbalism 101 you'll be bored soon with this. Stick to it if you only want to know the basics a small bit at a time.

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The Bestselling Guide to Herbal Remedies -- Completely Revised and Expandedince its original publication in 1992, Earl Mindell's Herb Bible has become the definitive guide to the world of herbal remedies. Recognized as today's leading trend in self-care, herbs can help you heal faster, live longer, and look better. In this completely updated edition, one of the world's foremost authorities on nutrition and natural remedies demystifies the language and lore of herbs and shows you how to choose and use herbs and herbal treatments -- from the traditional favorites to those on the cutting edge.Here is new and valuable information on how herbs can treat depression and anxiety, boost energy, improve your sex life, combat aging, prevent illness, and speed healing. Highlights include:
Thirty new "Hot Hundred" herbs
A new section devoted specifically to anti-aging herbs
New and completely updated information on the fastest selling herbs: St. John's Wort, kava kava, grapeseed extract, and green tea
Special updated chapters on "A Man's Body" and "A Woman's Body"
And much more

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The Ayurvedic Cookbook Review

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(More customer reviews)Amadea Morningstar not only gives you delicious, simple recipes for meals but also recipes for medicinal drinks, based on Ayurveda. She talks about the spiritual side of cooking, which has affected my personal approach to cooking everything - not just these foods. She also gives good information on dairy and how it is best digested. The one recipe I keep coming back to in here is the one for banana muffins. No one can resist them! I change the flours at times, and find that this recipe is the best vegan muffin recipe I've ever found! BTW -if you are vegan or vegetarian, this book is an excellent resource.

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How to apply Ayurvedic principles to your cooking with hundreds of delicious, easy recipes.

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Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: The Definitive Home Reference Guide to 550 Key Herbs with all their Uses as Remedies for Common Ailments Review

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(More customer reviews)With the wide selection of books on herbal uses confronting the average herbalist or curious reader, how is one to choose which resource is best? The answer is that it is impossible to use only one resource. Chevallier's books come close to being the one resource to use for employing herbs for medicinal purposes, but because the misuse of herbs can be deadly, I rely on a variety of material and crossreference my applications. In other words, if anyone says an herb has proved poisonous, I am careful. ....
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HERBAL MEDICINE (EHM) by Andrew Chevallier is an update of his book THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MEDICINAL PLANTS (EMP). EHM covers most of the same plants as EMP, but contains more up-to-date information from various sources conducting research on the properties and uses of herbs, including herbal systems in other parts of the world such as the U.K. and Germany, (i.e. not exclusively reliant on the actions of the FDA or USDA for all it's information).
EHM, as did EMP before it, includes one of the largest selections of plants for medicinal uses. Not all the plants are botonacally speaking "herbs." Black Cherry, for example, is a tree, but like many other trees has constituent parts that may be used for medicinal purposes, and therefore viewed as an "herbal" remedy for certain conditions (chronic dry, irritable coughs!!)--or kill you if you ingest an excess. ....
EHM is not much concerned with the manufacture of floral sachets or assembly of ingredients for pot pourri, or how to lay out your herbal garden for that matter. In fact, my suspician is that the average EHM reader will probably consult the health food store for herbal items, and not grow herbs in the back yard or try to harvest them in the nearest park. ....

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