Editorial Review

Interest in and usage of herbal preparations as alternatives topharmaceuticals has exploded in recent years. Having a complete herbal referenceon hand is now absolutely necessary for doctors and other healers when a patientwants to add herbs--let's say St. John's wort--to his drug regimen. Should thepatient stop taking the Paxil he's been on for depression, and if so, how longmust he wait before he can start taking the St. Johns wort, and what's therecommended dosage?Read more

Reviews (19)

Excellent reference for herbal medicines
Being a licensed practitioner of Chinese medicine here in the US, I purchased the PDR for Herbal Medicines, 3rd ed. because I wanted to have access to western scientific resource material about the many (about 700) herbal medicinals covered in the volume. If you're looking for a good clinical or diagnostic manual for learning how to prescribe herbal medicinals, this book, by no means, articulates how to actually effectively prescribe herbal medicines properly. In order to prescribe herbal medicines safely and effectively, they must be applied according to a diagnostic pattern discrimination methodology that is suitable for each patient's constitution, clinical presentation and pathological disease situation. All that said, however, the book is an excellent resource for information about known scientific research, references to other source materials as well as pharmacological, chemical, toxicological cautions and contraindications for each herb covered in the volume. In fact, for this kind of information, the text is hard to beat. No one should use or prescribe a medicinal that they do not know the possible side effects and toxicity potential for that particular plant material. Although some naive individuals believe that all medicinal plants are safe to use, in fact, some herbal substances are toxic, contraindicated during pregnancy, should only be used for a short period of time, etc. This book has explicit information that is consistent with many of the best herbal medicine text books that I own. The book even has ratings by the well known German 'Commission E' board that approves herbal medicines in Europe for professional use. And if that isn't enough, many Chinese and Ayurvedic medicinals are also covered. There is also a section that covers many nutritional supplements on the market as well. All in all, I highly recommend the book to those who want detailed identification, dosage, usage, pharmacological and toxicological reference material for a large number of useful plant medicinal substances. This is a great book to fill in the blanks that many other reference texts simply do not cover.

A thorough and useful reference
The PDR for Herbal Medicines is an excellent, thorough and scientific resource that will prove invaluable to physicians, nurse practitioners, naturopaths and others who use botanicals in the clinical setting.Also important for physicians who want to make sure that patients self-medicating with herbs are doing so safely.The various indexes make it easy to access vital facts rapidly.
Buyers beware on this one.
This was published by Medical Economics and no author is listed.If you're a true herbalist, expect this book to be slanted to the drug cartel's viewpoint.Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Medicine    2. Drug Guides    3. Medical    4. Medical / Nursing    5. Reference   

Reviews (4)

Finally, the Auriculotherapy textbook
The 3rd edition of Auriculotherapy Manual by Terry Oleson can be used as a standard textbook. In my view, this is a highest praise in the world of acupuncture with its differing approaches and disparate methods. Those differences are necessary, I must add, as it is the nature of acupuncture to depend greatly on personal needs of the patient and abilities of the practitioner.
A useful book for the experienced
There is no doubt this book is comprehensive, combining a variety of different styles of ear acupuncture in one book.There are lots of diagrams of ears showing you the location of the different points of the different styles, which can be a bit overwhelming and confusing for the newcomer.If you are experienced in this field and/or need to know this level of detail on ear acupuncture, this is the book for you.If you just want the basics of one form of ear acupuncture, I suggest�gChinese Auricular Therapy�h by Bai Xinghua (Scientific & Technical Documents Publishing House; ISBN: 7502322612), which is a good standard for Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners.

A true east-meets-west medical model
Terry Oleson's Auriculotherapy Manual is the mostcomprehensive text on the subject.If you are practicing Auriculotherapy (a system of ear acupuncture) or intending to do so, this manual is a must-have.This edition is a vast improvement over the previous, which was difficult to use.The new edition is certainly not easy to use, but it's an improvement.The subject is deceptively complex.Just sticking a needle in someone's ear is not Auriculotherapy--there is a level of understanding required to use the system effectively, and using a medical feedback mechanism is essential.Read more

Subjects:  1. Acupuncture    2. Alternative Medicine    3. Audiology & Speech Pathology    4. Medical    5. Medical / Nursing    6. Reference    7. Medical / Alternative Medicine   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (32)

Best singlenatural medicine book, I have read, which was written forboth laymen and practitioners
When patients ask me to recommend the book, most likely improve their health, Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Revised Second Edition, is the one I recommend, unless they suffer from diabetes, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue or cancer.I recommend Michael Murray's How to Prevent and Treat Diabetes with Natural Medicine andHow to Prevent and Treat Cancer with Natural Medicine, when they are more specific, to patient problems.The information on liver detoxification, diabetes, alcoholism, attention deficits, depression, obesity, migraines, osteoarthritis, restless leg syndrome, obesity, high blood pressure, hepatitis and prostatitis has improved our patient outcomes.We have succeeded in totally eliminating restless leg syndromes, in 2 days, using research contained in this book.The prostatitis protocols have produced 75 % reductions in nocturia.The migraine protocols can totally eliminate histamine headaches and reduce migraine pain, at least 50 %.We were able to lower an insulin diabetic's blood sugar 50 points using Gymnema, a herbal, recommended by this book.The book isthoroughly and exhaustively researched and documented. This book is readable, unlike much of the original research, published in journals. The main addition, which would make the book more complete, would be additional information about bioidentical hormone replacement.I have heard Michael Murray lecture and he isbrilliant andknowledgeable. His interest in reducing suffering is obvious.Michael Murray and his books are excellent, impressive advertisements for Bastyr College of Natural Medicine, although I have never seen him promote Bastyr College. I doubt I am the first reader or lecture attendee, whowished theyhadtime to be trained, at Bastyr College, after learning how knowledgeable their professors are.
conditions that can be treated naturally
I believe it covers alot of conditions that can be treated naturally with homeopathy medicines.It is very informative.

best reference for natural medicine
I first began natural medicine survey with this book and after reading many its still the best of all.It looks like a medical textbook full of detailed and correct knowledge ..ty ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Medicine    2. Consumer Health    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Encyclopedias    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Naturopathy    8. Reference    9. Complementary Medicine    10. Health & Fitness / Naturopathy    11. Reference works   

Reviews (34)

Sick and Tired - Reclaim your inner terrain
Excellent, well written, easy to understand.Once you know, you can't not know any more!

Is Acid the Cause of Your Problems?
I have read this book and I do not agree with it.Certainly eating vegetables is a good way to go and will help you lose weight- no doubt about it!
Cleansing your body
I totally agree with dr young's view on yeast and fungus, I have seen it with myself at only 23 and feeling sick and tired and with no energy. I managed to research the sick and tired feeling after going to the doctors for many years and being told I have a virus!!
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Medicine    2. Consumer Health    3. Diets - Better Health    4. General    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Healthy Living    8. Reference   

Reviews (1)

Peek behind a professional TCM healer
I am in the last year of my 4-year TCM School. I found this book to be very helpful in clearly illustrating in color pictures, simple explanations and clear diagrams what I other books talk about only theoretically.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Medicine    2. Anatomy    3. Diagnosis    4. Medical    5. Medical / Nursing    6. Reference    7. Surgery - General   

Reviews (8)

Less than overwhelming
Really not as good as I expected from some of the reviews posted. I take a lot of scripts (at least 4 different ones daily) and a lot of supplements (in the dozen range) too, but I did not find it easy to cross check in this book.
Great reference
This is a well written reference that will be used often in my business.The book is organized well and very complete in its review of pharmaceuticals with herbs.

Helpful but incomplete
Good resource when taken in context.Does not reflect a familiarity with what herbs have to offer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Health & Fitness / Herbal Medications    2. Health/Fitness    3. Medical / Reference    4. Alternative Medicine    5. Drug Guides    6. Drug-herb interactions    7. Herbal Medications    8. Herbs    9. Medicine    10. Naturopathy    11. Reference    12. Side effects    13. Therapeutic use   

Reviews (9)

The Little Herb Encyclopedia...okay, not the greatest.
There are many herbs not in the book.Explanations are a bit on the hazy side.No ideas on how to use the herbs...BUT...it's great for what it does have, tells of many things each herb can be used for.Just wish it were more complete!
Should be called an herb bible
Every time you read it, you find something you didn't see before. WONDERFUL REFERENCE OF INDIVIDUAL HERBS
This book is absolutely the best one I have seen when it comes to being thorough for the different uses of each herb.It has listings of primary and secondary conditions affected by the herbs, after a write up of usually close to a page on each one.In the write up it elaborates on many of the uses, and often gives historical uses.I find it a vital reference guide and refer to it VERY often!!!Is easy to understand, contains warnings about the herbs that need it, and is really the most informative guide to herbal usage.Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Medicine    2. Consumer Health    3. Health & Fitness    4. Herbal Medications    5. Reference   

Reviews (2)

Best acupoints reference around
This is a great reference for anyone who wants to study the main acupoints. The pictures are great and wonderful. This is great for massage therapist or anyone interested in learning the energy meridian points. i wish the creators had an electronic version so that we can practice finding the points and seeing the flow of chi. They have this on their Qpuncture 2 cdrom, however, not everyone needs all the info on accupuncture needling. The only drawback is that the index format isn't sturdy. It can't be a portable study guide as the papers can easily tear if you flip through the pages too fast or from being uncareful. You can take the time to study it though. it's very organized with high quality visual pictures, info of where point location and how to put needles as well as when to use each point. Cool thing is that you see surounding bones, muscles, tendons, sinews, picture comparison to location of other points. Emphasis of the Qdex is on finding the location by having visual of surrounding anatomy parts. Get this if your serious about learning acupoints and get Qpuncture II cdrom if your serious about accupuncture. This product really goes above a 5 star. only complaint is sturdiness. would of been better if it were a hardback or paperback book reference which i hope will be considered in the next edition.

cool study guide
This Qdex is great in most aspects or learning the basics. the pictures are 3 dimensional and you can see where the points are. The only complaint i have is that it's thin in it's index format. You can really flip through the qdex. you have to flip through it slowly so that the pages won't tear. It would of been cool if there were an electronic version of this so that you can practice finding points with a touch screen or see the flow of the meridians. They have the qpuncture software, however, that one goes so much more in depth then the qdex which is find for students to learn the points, especially those that just want to learn points for accupressure. having it as a flashcard format might be cool too so you can carry a few around to study. The qdex is not sturdy enough to be portable. It won't last long because of it's lack of studiness. It would of been better for the creators to make a book format. Would of given it a 5 but it won't last long as the pages can easily tear. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acupressure & Acupuncture    2. Alternative Medicine    3. Alternative Therapies    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health & Fitness / Acupressure & Acupuncture    6. Health & Fitness / Alternative Therapies    7. Health & Fitness / Reference    8. Health/Fitness    9. Medical / Nursing    10. Acupuncture    11. Acupuncture points    12. Handbooks    13. Reference   

Subjects:  1. Materia medica    2. Pharmacology    3. Pharmacy   

Reviews (2)

PERSONAL HEALTH 'MAGNUM OPUS' from THE "MASTER GARDENER"
Five Stars!! HEALTH ADVICE GALORE!! Jerry Baker has done it again. On the heels of his great gardening books, this 450 page book is a winner of personal advice, potions, ointments, and practical aids for your body, your mind, and your general health. No GARDENING advice here!!Thisis Jerry Baker's 'Magnum Opus' of tips, tricks, and tonics, old fashioned (and new fashioned) advice for YOUR HEALTH. We all know about Jerry's practical advice and 'tonics' for our garden from his nationally syndicated weekend radio "call-in"show "On The Garden Line", and his PBS gardening specials. We also know that the tonics use practical items found around the house to treat and feed plants and trees, while defeating bugs and plant disease: A garden sprayer loaded with ingredients from "A can of beer, a can of cola, a teaspoon of liquid dish soap, etc, etc..." is almost 'The Weekend Gardening National Anthem' to many of us weekend gardeners. Millions of us also know the "tonics" by heart, read the detailed newsletters, and use his garden equipment because they REALLY WORK. Now he tackles our health. So can we trust a gardener with our health?
oddball ointments, powerful potions & fabulous folk remedies.
I received the item in new condition as described.The book arrived in a timely manner. I would purchase from this seller again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Medicine    2. Alternative Therapies    3. Consumer Health    4. Folk Medicine    5. Health & Fitness    6. Naturopathy    7. Reference    8. Health & Fitness / Naturopathy   

Subjects:  1. Alternative Medicine    2. Encyclopedias    3. Medical    4. Medical / Nursing    5. Psychopathology - Addiction    6. Reference   

Reviews (1)

A classic in emotional and spiritual healing
This book immediately became one of my all-time favorite books.It's a "must" for anyone who works with the healing of emotional trauma and abuse, and who has not experienced some trauma or abuse? Themes ofthe cascade of heaven, which fosters virtue, and resultant blessings tohuman life are priceless, also source of spiritual healing and restoration. The authors outline a rich and splendid heritage with implications forpersonal development and trauma healing that will inspire seekers, healers,teachers, and clergy the world over. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Medicine    2. General    3. Medicine, Chinese    4. Mind and body    5. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    6. Physician and patient    7. Reference    8. Complementary Medicine    9. History of medicine   

Reviews (4)

Sensibly scientific
This book is sensibly scientific. A wonderful, comprehensive book
This is the natural health book no one should be without. The author writes compassionately and comprehensively about over 300 conditions. He seems to have the attitude "If this medicine didn't work for you, here's something that will." I know we will be using this book for a long time to come.

Better than Balch
My old copy of Prescription for Nutritional Healing had literally fallen apart, and a friend ordered me this book. It's a terrific book.Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Therapies    2. Alternative medicine    3. Complementary Therapies    4. Consumer Health    5. Healing    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health/Fitness    8. Popular Works    9. Reference    10. methods    11. Popular medicine   

Reviews (4)

Tis amazing to know...what your world offers.
Ever wonder, what can i take for this and that...and your too stubborn to consult a doctor?This is for you..it inspires self help...and it enriches you with valuable knowledge. I really was never a Herbs type of person..but after you know so much about what you have to know, its opens your mind. I recently got Ezcema and its a toughy...but theres alot of Herbs to help..and I know about them thanks to this book. I have the remidies and there working out great...great results from using Taheboo.

a mediocre reference, best used in conjunction with other books
i have to say, after compiling a mini library of my own books on herbal health, that this one is the least reliable. the opening bits on basic preparations and a glossery of terms is sure to please people just beginning to explore this world, but i've found the format, and even some of the recommended herbs, to be off base and off putting. it is a fine companion, however, to other books such as "the herb book," and "the new enclyclopedia of herbs and their uses." heck, even earl mindell's "new herb bible" is a better resource. not good on it's own, but okay to use in conjunction with other books.

essential!
I've collected a small library of herb books over the years, and this is by far the one I reach for the most. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Medicine    2. Consumer Health    3. Health & Fitness    4. Health/Fitness    5. Herbal Medications    6. Reference   

Reviews (5)

Invigoration
Probing, illuminating, inspired insights from a qualified researcher and intellectual pioneer. A seminal cannabis tome to invigorate your library!

the forbidden health
Did you know that marijuana has plenty of medicinal usages. Most of the people would say no because of this crazy "war on drugs". But this time please don't "just say no" and spend some time to read the "forbidden facts" about hemp. A very well researched and written book on the medicinal usages of hemp.

Most knowledgable literature on the subject ever.
I bought the book 6 days ago in Amherst and I'm already finished it as it is brilliantly written as it taught me alot of things I needed to know. It wakes you up to the real facts of marijuana for medicine and as a medicalmarijuana user,I realized that everything in the book is facts andtruth.The doctor who wrote it is pure genius andI hope he follows up withanother book as he has made the most positive changes in my life. Thank You Dr.Lester Grinspoon ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Medicine    2. Health/Fitness    3. Law and legislation    4. Marijuana    5. Medical    6. Medical / Nursing    7. Pharmacology    8. Reference    9. Social aspects    10. Therapeutic use    11. United States    12. Complementary Medicine    13. Medical / Alternative Medicine   

Reviews (16)

You'll wear it out.
I concur with all the positive reviews I've read.This book is a life reference manual for anyone who wants to live healthfully. Wore out my last copy!
We wore out the edition we bought years ago and so went out and purchased the eleventh edition. ESSENTIAL!!!!
I am ordering Linda's 11th ed. because I have owned her previous book for about 8 or 10 years and worn it out!I have recommended this book over and over for the wealth of info, the in-depth description of the benefits of fresh foods, vitamins, etc., not to mention the page by page of ailments/recommendations.Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative medicine    2. Consumer Health    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Healing    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Herbal Medications    8. Holistic medicine    9. Medical / Alternative Medicine    10. Fitness & diet    11. Handbooks, manuals, etc    12. Herbs    13. Medicine    14. Popular medicine    15. Reference    16. Therapeutic use   

Subjects:  1. Alternative Medicine    2. Gynecology    3. Gynecology & Obstetrics    4. Medical    5. Medical / Nursing    6. Reference    7. Systems Of Medicine    8. Gynaecology & obstetrics   

Reviews (1)

A MUST read for anyone FEEDING young children
I decided to write this book review after purchasing this book a few years ago and to later find myself purchasing it again for a friend with an infant child who is in her own struggle of how to feed her child the healthy way!!My friend was just like me....trying to do everything naturally possible for my child....but, totally confused as to the "correct" process!In today's world so many people are trying to get on the healthy path, only to find themselves in total confusion as to "how to begin" and then, to find what they thought was healthy for their child,to be working against them.Bob Flaws has clearly demonstrated that even the most healthy foods can be the most harmful to young children......however, he also explains the reasons why and how to properly prepare foods to offer young children for optimal health.My daughter is now 8 years old and through the knowledge of this book and a wonderful TCM doctor, we do not have the health problems we used to have.My child loves her "cooked" vegetables and through proper management, she has a balanced diet every day - no junk food is allowed. For birthday's we have a nice healthy dinner minus the birthday cake, and a nice trip to the beach.This book gives down to earth answers in our relationship to nature and the importance of eating the "correct" way.It is a critical book for today's failing medical society as we teach our children the importance of natural health.As I look around my community, I see parents feeding their children the most harmful foods and then they ask "Why, is my child so sick all the time"???This book is a wake up call for America to start paying attention to their child's needs, getting back to nature the way our bodies were meant to live in harmony with - it is their birthright! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Medicine    2. Children    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Family & Relationships / Health    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health - General    7. Health - Nutrition    8. Health and hygiene    9. Health/Fitness    10. Healthy Living    11. Medicine, Chinese    12. Parenting - General    13. Pediatrics    14. Child care    15. Family & Relationships    16. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    17. Handbooks, manuals, etc.    18. Health    19. History of medicine    20. Medicine, Preventive    21. Paediatric medicine    22. Parenting    23. Reference   

Reviews (8)

One of the Best Books I Own (....on any subject)
This is simply an outstanding book. I loved it and think that it can help lots of people whose oncologists just don't get it. The subject matter is fairly technical for the layman, as it is written by a first-rate researcher in the field. I think that this book was written for people who are comforatable reading slightly technical material(e.g., the Scientific American crowd).The author's explanations are very detailed.It is one of the best basic references that I have on general cancer biology.In a few places, the author seems to assume that the reader has taken at least introductory or even organic chemistry.If you haven't taken chemistry, I would still buy it.It is packed with great information, some of it taken from the author's own research.Also, the literature references are very new and relevant to the subject matter.A few areas could have been explained a little more clearly (the explanation of drug synergy was not the book's strong point).

take it from a nurse...
I loved this book.I've worked in oncology clinical trials for years.I picked up this book to review for a friend, and admit that I was initially skeptical.But it's a wonderful book, well researched, well thought out... I was really impressed.Made me remember that half of the stuff we put in patients today originally was discovered when the NCI screened natural compounds for anti-cancer properties.Let's hope that this reflects the future potential of cancer treatment.

No Magic Bullets
No hoaxes, no magic bullets, no promises. Natural Compounds in Cancer Therapy, by John Boik, is an up-to-date, scientific compilation of the state of research in the field of natural products in cancer treatments. This book is very important due to the tremendous growth in both research and interest in natural compounds over the past several years. The author is able to explain the how and why of over three dozen compounds that have confirmed anti-cancer activity. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Medicine    2. Health & Fitness    3. Health/Fitness    4. Herbal Medications    5. Medical / Nursing    6. Oncology    7. Reference    8. Botany & plant sciences    9. Medical research   

Reviews (5)

STUDENT OF THE SUBJECT
This a really good book to have as well. I still recommed other books. This should be in your connection as well. At first, I didn't want read/buy it/take it of the library. I'm glad I finally saw it and bought, currently reading it. I'm really enjoying it. Before I read this I read Zita West's newest book on Fertitly and Conception: Complete Guide on Pregnant. Which was wonderful as well. Thank you. Pretty pictures don't cut it.
I enjoyed this book, however, it has too many glossy, unrealistic pictures that take the place of meaningful text.I found the book the Natural Pregnancy Book by Aviva Jill Romm to be much more helpful, insightful and thorough. Wonderful Book
I truly enjoyed this book and found it to be invaluable during my twin pregnancy. It is a good resource guide with beautiful photographs; and it is written without the self-righteous tone found in other *holistic-oriented* books. Although I'm not an advocate for the use of the term "natural" (which I think is a rather subjective and broad term), I found the suggested complementary therapies for various pregnancy and post partum related conditions extremely helpful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Medicine    2. Alternative treatment    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Family/Marriage    5. General    6. Health & Fitness    7. Mothers    8. Nutrition    9. Nutritional aspects    10. Pregnancy    11. Pregnancy & Childbirth    12. Reference    13. Women's Health - General    14. Family & Relationships / Pregnancy & Childbirth    15. Parenting & Childcare