Product Description
Everyone is using natural products today, yet few books elucidate both sides of the herb-and supplement story. The Christian's Guide to Natural Products & Remedies discusses the many products being used widely today together with the possible benefits and risks of each.

Above and beyond the great practical medical information provided in this book, The Christian's Guide to Natural Products & Remedies is the first thorough Christian treatment of the use of natural products, offering a biblical apologetic. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

The Christian's Guide to Natural Products & Remedies
Like you, when I came across this book, I wondered what a Christian herbal guide and how it differed from any other herbal guide. At the start of this book, one of the authors points out that Christians are often prone to the belief that herbal supplements are natural and therefore unlike prescription drugs are safe. Furthermore, Christians also tend to feel uncomfortable asking their doctor for help with health issues and therefore go to herbal supplements to self medicate.

Personally, I don't believe these issues are unique to Christians. As health care cost rise, hospital wait times become completely outrageous, and a pleasant bed side manner becomes increasingly rare, seeking alternatives to traditional medical care is quite a logical scenario.

Despite my issues with the title, I believe this book to be a valuable resource. I agree with the author that often people take supplements thinking that since they come from plants they can't possibly cause harm. Moreover, many individuals self medicate or mix herbs and prescription medication without ever researching the possible effects of these substances. In doing so, these people may be putting themselves at risk as their condition worsens without proper treatment, may cause new problems due to erroneous use or dosage, and may even cause death. Using fun question and answer surveys, the authors help individuals test their knowledge of herbal supplement and other natural remedies.

NOT WHAT EXPECTED
My husband bought this for me because I believe in the use of herbs and he thought it would be helpful to have a Christian perspective.I did appreciate the explanation for the Biblical use of pharmeceuticals.However, as far as a guide for herbs goes, it left me much confused. It is strangely setup like a jeapordy game which is not easy reference. It contains a lot of information on a handful of herbs, but it is certainly not informative on all the herbs.The author leaves you with the conclusion that basically most of the herbs have not been tested thoroughly and may not help the way that some people claim.After reading it, I felt like I had probably wasted hundreds of dollars on herbs.

Very confusing and non informative!
Almost the entire book is written in question and answer format! I heard about this book on Janet Parcel's radio show and it sounds like the Dr. knows what he is talking about, but the book is not user friendly due to the format.I was hoping for some in depth detail about herbs and supplements, but that is not what this book is about. Very disappointed...:-( ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

This is an absolutely amazing book.
If you love plants, nature, gardening -- but find that you keep thinking there must be something more to it all, you just know there's something more but you can't figure out what it is -- this book might have just what you're looking for.If you read it -- and you *get it* -- you'll never look at your yard, your neighbor's yards, "weeds", any tree, or garden or anything else that grows on planet Earth, through the same pair of eyes, ever again, and you will begin to see how vastly much more the world is, than what you had every before imagined... and know, somehow, deep in your heart, that this was what you'd been missing.This book is a gift to yourself.

A quality book on spiritual help from plants
I originally wanted to give this book three and a half stars, but this is because I was spoiled by the authors other books on gem elixirs and flower essences. Reviewed without bias, it probably deserves 4 stars for placing in my hands many new ways to enhance my own spirituality.The book includes a large number of common and some rarer herbs, with their spiritual, emotional and physical effects. The spiritual uses of herbs are more generalized than those for flowers and gems (from other books), and a person has to read between the lines to get the full meaning of each description. You can use herbs bought from herb shops or health food stores to restore happiness, come closer to god, expand psychic abilities, improve channeling, have stronger character, etc. Don't skip this book if you are having a hard time acquiring or making flower essences as often as you wish - herbs can expand spiritual progress through the long winter months. ... Read more

Product Description
This book teaches readers how to use herbs as potent tools for natural healing and prevent sickness with an overall, healthy lifestyle. Sections are devoted to working with nature and its products, the importance of food and nutrition, natural healing methods, cleansing and detoxification, and changes in the body during different life stages. A chapter on first aid, Latin-English appendices, instructions on making an herbal profile, a glossary, references, and useful addresses are included in this illustrated guide. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Highly recommended!
I've ready medical and psychiatric manuals, and I can tell that the author of this book has a very good understanding, grasp, and knowledge of all types of disorders.I would highly recommend this book, it should be an essential part of any library, including your own.

Excellent for experienced practitioners, but not for novices
Jill Rosemary Davies is highly qualified to write a book regarding natural healing. She holds a doctorate in herbal medicine and has often worked with various EU legislatures to insure the safety and effectiveness of herbal medicines. Experienced homeopaths will find the wealth of information in her book concise, insightful, and well-organized. Davies covers not only the standard topics such as herb selection, essential oil use, and home remedies, but also touches on such items as massage therapy, breathing techniques, and detoxification.

My concern, however, is that the book is marketed to beginners. Novices to homeopathy and natural healing may be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of different topics covered. Or worse, completely turned off to the idea of natural healing as something that is far to complex and time consuming for the average person to effectively handle. While most health-conscious readers with an interest in natural healing can probably handle reading about the benefits of owning a juicer and how to select fruits and vegetables for juicing, Davies discussion of how to properly select seeds for use in a sprouter and on the need to grown your own barley might come across too extreme.

Davies also has a tendency to slip into preaching, speaking in absolutely regarding the differences between organic and non-organic foods, the dangers of dairy, and even the toxidity of farm-raised fish. While I personally prefer organic foods, for example, I have yet to see any decisive scientific research confirming the claims Davies makes. She claims "eggs are potential causes of diseases like arthritis," that butter "is basically rancid and has lots of free radicals," and "all meat putrefies in the intestine and strips calcium from the body." And she makes these statements without really offering any resources or references to lend credence to the claims (though most chapters do include related works, they aren't really "references" in the traditional sense.)

Moreover, it is important to note that Davies practices natural healing in Europe. this is important because herbal medicines are both more readily available in most of Europe AND they are regulated to insure quality standards. Again, while this is not an issue to experienced natural healers, it can cause confusion to novices. Davies speaks about getting this or that ingredient as if you can just pick it up at a local store (which she most likely can). But readers in the U.S. often CAN'T get the natural herbs and such easily without searching the internet for a reputable dealer or finding a large natural foods provider in their area. Again, novices can easily become frustrated trying to gather all the ingredients for various home remedies.

Also of note is that Davies tends to suggest natural healing should be used before or instead of traditional medicine. While this is a position I agree with wholeheartedly for annoying but otherwise harmless conditions such as dandruff, acne, the common cold, etc, encouraging natural remedies for a stroke victim OVER traditional medicine highly suspect. Again, as many medical practitioners in Europe are also trained in natural healing, or are at least accepting of it and able to work together with the natural healer for an overall health plan, I think this notion poorly serves American readers. It could encourage people to self-diagnose, or try to heal themselves instead of getting early medical attention for potentially serious conditions.

Her remedies,however, do seem to be rooted in solid homeopathic research, and do not contradict or bring into question other research I have seen. So for experienced practitioners who are skilled in the difference between what should and should not be done at home, Davies' book is a welcomed addition to the library. Novices, however, should carefully consider whether or not they are ready to attempt some of the more advanced techniques without first consulting their doctors.

I wish I could split my rating somehow, as I would rate this book 4 stars for experienced practitioners. But because it is geared toward novices as an introduction to natural healing, I rated only average.
... Read more

Product Description
Used for centuries for its soothing and calming properties, camomile also treats a number of conditions, from allergies to ulcers. Here, with clear color illustrations and simple recipes, readers can discover how to grow and make their own camomile remedies, incorporate the herb into their beauty regimen, and learn fun facts about the folklore and history of this multi-faceted herb. ... Read more

Product Description

Does Echinacea fight the common cold? Does St. John’s Wort (SJW) really counteract depression? What about chondroitin for joint health? Today’s healthcare professionals are increasingly confronted with questions from patients who want to use herbal supplements to treat various conditions. A critical and scientific assessment of medicinal plant research by an internationally recognized researcher and writer in the field, Tyler’s Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals, Third Edition combines the scientific aspects of herbal medicine, phytomedicine, and pharmacognosy with the modern clinical trials that support the rationale for using plant products in healthcare.

Customer Reviews (3)

A core addition to any and all professional and academic library medical and herbal reference collection
From paleolithic times down to the modern age, herbs have been the fundamental basis for balms, salves, and internal medications for human ills, aliments, physical injuries, and mental traumas. Now in a thoroughly updated and expanded third edition, "Tyler's Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals" by Canadian author, academician and medical researcher Dr. Dennis V. C. Awang, is a 296-page guide to the medical properties and usages of herbs. Beginning with a thorough overview of the basic principles involved, "Tyler's Herbs Of Choice" is superbly organized and presented with chapters focused thematically appropriate herbs with respect to problems involving the digestive system problems; the kidney, urinary tract, and prostate; respiratory tract; cardiovascular system; nervous system; endocrine and metabolic issues; arthritic and musculoskeletal disorders; skin, mucous membranes, and gingiva; performance and immune deficiencies. Of special note are the subsections on herbs and cancer (including the unproven anticancer herbs including apricot pits, Pau d'Arco, and Mistletoe). enhanced with extensive references, and appendix on 'The herbal regulatory system.', and a comprehensive index, "Tyler's Herbs Of Choice" is a core addition to any and all professional and academic library medical and herbal reference collection.

An old school viewpoint?
Written by two pharmacognosists at Perdue University, this book is an update to the original volume in 1994, describing the safe use of the most widely available medicinal herbs.They address recent developments in the use of herbal medicines in a manner that is easy to read and without unnecessary jargon.They include some updated references for most plants, encompassing the clinical literature, known chemical constituents, and the history of their use.Introductory essays describe the basic principles of herbal medicine and problems that the regulatory authorities have had in attempting to deal with these products, especially since the passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA).The chapters are arranged by general therapeutic indication and discuss the herbs used to treat various ailments and their reported efficacy based on clinical or preclinical results.

One obvious distinction of the book is the clear message that classical pharmacognosy is the only valid scientific viewpoint.There is still in this updated edition, the strong notion that there is a magic bullet within each plant that we only need identify and standardize.But this is seldom as straightforward as it may appear.For example, in the basic principles section there is praise of standardized preparations of hypericum, yet no acknowledgment that standardization based on hypericin is probably not useful, since it is no longer believed to be essential for the antidepressant activity of St. John's Wort.Standardization and pharmacology of the currently favored constituent, hyperforin, was not mentioned.Publication in a scientific journal does not make a particular finding (e.g. hypericin inhibition of MAO) a "fact."Subsequent studies showed no MAO inhibition with pure hypericin.Conclusions and extrapolations drawn from results of in vitro studies are based on the conventional wisdom, which is often incorrect.While proposing a mechanism of action is a worthy goal, it must be remembered that true drug mechanisms (even the synthetic ones) are still beyond our medical understanding in most cases, particularly for psychotherapeutic medications.For example, while SSRI's are known to act by blocking reuptake of serotonin, the connection between serotonin uptake and antidepressant action still remote.

Also mentioned as "pseudoscience" is the notion that whole herbs are more effective than their isolated active constituents.The basic principles section states that for every example in support of this statement that there is at least one denying it.While a 50:50 ratio hardly seems in itself a reasonable criterion for pseudoscience, I think one would be hard pressed to give one example of constituents being more effective than the whole herb for every example of the inverse.While I completely agree that hyperbole and sometimes outright fabrication are seen in the marketing of herbals, we shouldn't be too quick to categorically discount what herbal practitioners have been saying for so long, but rather to weight them with the same standards as ideas that the "scientists" have generated.

Wait for the paperback or use the older version
I have been waiting for an update of this classic book. However, for most health care professionals or herb users, I don't feel the $40 price tag makes this book worth it. Wait for the paperback of this updated version orget the paperback1994 version. ... Read more

Product Description
Shows readers how to use--the many different plants that heal body and mind. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (4)

Sunapp
Thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful pictures and detailed information.The author is obviously knowledgable on subject material.Information is well put together and easy to follow. Hopefully there will be another book published with other varieties not mentioned in this one.

Growing Heritage Plants
The journey began a long time ago and it's not yet over. We avoid using toxic chemicals in our gardens, we conserve water and we re-cycle organic waste to feed our plants. We are not that far away from re-discovering the flowering plants of our ancestors who grew, ate and utilized whatever nature provided.

Lawrence D Griffith studies period plants and researches their cultivation and use. If we are on the threshold of a trend to garden as our ancestors did then his work is prescient. His collaborator, Barbara Temple Lombardi is staff photographer for the Williamsburg Foundation. Together they have unveiled the intrinsic beauty and usefulness of a collection of plants many of us choose to ignore.

This is a beautifully illustrated documentation of the flowering plants cultivated and admired by early settlers of North America in general and Virginia in particular. It includes annual flowers, biennials plants, perennials and herbs.

Readers will discover a few surprises. Aquilegia Canadensis, Rudbekia fulgida, and Echinacea purpurea are plants native to North America, discovered by the settlers, incorporated into their gardens and still growing in our gardens today. On the other hand, the family of plants not native to North America, but introduced here by early settlers from Europe include Lychnis chalcedonica and Scabiosa atropurpurea.

Mr.Griffith has experimented with most, if not all, of the plants he describes in this book and conveniently encapsulates everything we need to know about each one in a boxed summary accompanying the text. That allows readers, not interested in the anecdotal history of each plant, to use this book as a "how to" guide for growing heritage plants. Conveniently, for the enthusiastic gardener who will follow the example set by the author, the book also contains a list of sources for purchasing heritage seed, with addresses in Canada, the US and the UK.

Gardeners who do not use a camera are always amazed by the beauty that nature photographers find in the mundane. When we walk along a rural road, we ignore the common milkweed growing by the wayside. It is ugly, boring and ubiquitous. Yet, in this book, the photographer has transformed Asclepia syriaca into a work of art. That's what I love about beautifully illustrated books on gardening. They allow us to see something old, as if it were new, for the very first time.
Read my other reviews of books on gardening at [...]

Great Book.
Book was in excellent condition. I recommend this book to anyone having any interest in Horticulture.

Absotlutly Fantastic resource for flowers and herbs in early America!
This book is superbly written with some of the finest research by author Lawrence Griffith, and gloriously illustrated by photographer Barbara Temple Lombardi. Larry is not only a great writer but a great gardener as well! I would recommend a copy for yourself and your friends too.Flowers and Herbs of Early America ... Read more

Product Description
Still considered the definitive work on medicinal herbs and their uses after two decades, the Handbook of Medicinal Herbs has undergone a long-anticipated revision. In the second edition, world-renowned ethnobotanist James A. Duke provides up-to-date data on over 800 of the world's most important medicinal plant species. The book contains more species, phytochemicals, proven indications, folk indications, and dosage data than the first edition in a new easier to use format. The in-depth content, the addition of color plates and over 200 black and white illustrations makes this book the most comprehensive resource on medicinal herbs available.NEW IN THE SECOND EDITION:"Over 100 color plates, 4 color maps"Over 200 black and white illustrations"Over 800 medicinal plants - more than twice as many as the previous edition organized alphabetically by common name"More herbs from the African, Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Jamu traditionsEASY ACCESS TO INFORMATION YOU NEEDDesigned to give you fast access to the information you need on a regular basis, this new edition is organized more systematically than any other medicinal herb publication. The entries are now arranged alphabetically by common name with the scientific name in parenthesis. Major synonyms are also provided."It has become increasingly clear that there are hundreds of biologically active compounds, often additive or synergistic, in all our plants, foods, spices, herbs, medicinal, and poisonous plants. The debate continues on how these plants work and how they should be used. Blending scientific fact with folk uses and the author's personal experience, Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition provides the most well rounded discussions of safety, efficacy, toxicity, and rational use found in any herbal reference. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Ok book
I appreciate the vast size of the book and massive amount of plants included in it, however it reads like an index. The info is just a summarized listing of what the herbs are used for, by culture, etc. but nothing detailed. A useful book for fast, one stop herbal referencing to quickly find out what plants are useful for what condition, but for the price it should be the last one you buy unless herbal medicine is your profession. Pictures are just a single, black, non-photographic outline of the plant.
Overall, a high quality book but it is more like a pharmaceutical pill/tablet identification guide in structure or a dictionary than a book to refer to for detailed information. It does thoroughly list known uses; and not hypothetical or superstitious "folk" uses, but legitimate ones backed by time or research. This is probably the main focus of the book. So with all that, it is a well done and potentially useful book for those well versed in herbal medicine, esp. those who are doctors of alternative medicine, but not worth the money for the weekend herbalist. In my opinion, start out your herbal library with other books. On a personal note, I take herbal and alternative medicine very seriously and am an exercise physiology student. But herbal medicine is also not my profession. That said, I have an interest in the topic far deeper than just growing a few mint plants for tea in a colorful herb garden. ... Read more

Product Description
A guide to herbs and savory seeds features information on herbal medicine and magic; garden mazes; making sachets of lavender, rosemary, and mint; the twenty best culinary herbs and their uses; and more. Reprint. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

An essential guide to herbs.
Despite its age, this is one of the easiest to follow books on Herbs and their practical uses available. The 31 most commonly used herbs are profiled in a concise manner. Each herb section includes the typical Latin and growing and cultivation information. But more than that, each section also includes in-depth descriptions of the plants at various growth stages, the history and mythology surrounding the herb, harvesting and processing details and a complete list of medicinal and cosmetic uses.

A complete herb guide, Herbs; Their Cultivation and Usage showcases seeding and planting preparation and details which plants to grow well as companion plants. This is an excellent book for anyone interested in cultivating herbs for medicinal and cosmetic uses or for cooking.
... Read more

Product Description
Cannabishas been cultivated for 10,000 years.In recent times, marijuana has undergone more genetic experimentation and cross-breeding than during the previous 10,000 years.This remarkable hybrid development was accomplished by thousand of individuals new to any kind of farming.Marijuana Botanyoffers accurate information about all aspects of cultivation.It explains how quality is affected by climate and environment; identification and desirability of female plants; consideration for cultivating sinsemilla; THC production and peak potency; producing desirable plants year after year. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

A excellent book on breeding rather than growing
This is an excellent book if you are interested in marijuana botany and propagation. It is not the best book if you are looking for general information on how to grow marijuana--although cloning techniques like air-layering are covered well.The main benefit of this book is the detailed description of now to selective fertilize plants for seed propagation.It shows, for example, how to use bags to fertilize some of your female flowers while leaving others unfertilized.

If you are interested in developing seed this is a must read. If you just want to grow feminized seed and clones you probably don't need this book. You'd be better off with Marijuana Grow Basics: The Easy Guide for Cannabis Aficionados or if you want a DVD Learn to Grow Medical Marijuana: When You're Allowed As Few As 6 Plants and Every Plant Is Precious

There are many excellent drawing in black and white showing botanical details if you are interested in marijuana botany.

If you'd like a good scientific look at cannibis...
Then this book is for you!

If you're looking for a how-to guide for growing hydro, or any peticular method.. please look elsewhere.The name says it all... its a Botony book, not a growers guide.

Great reference for those of you who want a really technical review!!!

Retired
This book, as compared to others on the same subject, is lacking content and substance. I would not recommend it to anyone if they are really interested in learning from the material.
Don in CO

Great book for the breeder
This is a great book for the marijuana breeder as it goes over everything as far as genes go. Het/homozygous explanation. Like said in the Reviews, THIS IS NOT A GROW BOOK, this book is for people truly interested in the genetics of breeding their own strain. Also I am a firm believer that someone needs their own experiences to say something is better than the other. That being said, I have not read any other books on the subject but as far as I know the only other book is by DJ Short and I have not had a chance to read it yet (but I do own it) and I would probably say that Marijuana Botany has more information but may not be better than DJ Short's.

Old but still good
This is a good book about the marijuana plant itself but is a bit dated. Still if you want to learn more about breeding and plant physiognomy then this is a good choice. ... Read more

Product Description
Herbs Against Cancer is a comprehensive and indispensable guide to the use of herbs in preventing and treating cancer. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Fascinating
This book catalogues many of the so-called herbal cures for cancer promoted by various entities and then evaluates the evidence for and against their effectiveness.Moss is very even-handed in his treatment of the different herbs, but some of the 'popular' herbs have nothing that supports their effectiveness.Also interesting is the different standards between European and US testing and marketing of these drugs.

LACK OF SCIENTIFIC DATA
Half of the books describes history of some herbs which I did not find useful, the other half it even does not demonstrate you the ability to help cure cancer.It does not show you any scientific data from a recognizedcompany (e.g. FDA).The title should be "Herbs Against What". It was a waste of time this book. ... Read more

Product Description
One of America's foremost herbalists provides concise, simple-to-understand, and practical information for using herbs for health and well-being. Each book contains profiles of specific herbs, cautions, contraindications, and easy-to-make recipes to relieve common ailments. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Disappointed
Maybe my expectations were just too high, based on the many reviews.There are a few good tips, but most of the material is easy to find on the internet, or in other books that you will have to purchase or have already purchased.I did not find the book to be very useful at all.I would have returned it, but it wasn't worth the shipping cost to return the book.If you can purchase this at half the price offered here on Amazon, I believe it would be worth the purchase. LOL

Trying out herbal remedies and cosmetics
Having read a lot about Rosemary Gladstar, I purchased two of her books, this one and the Family Herbal.Wonderful, both of them.This Herbs for Natural Beauty has lots of wonderful recipes to 'make your own' cleansers, toners and other products.Don't be afraid of the ingredient lists:some of the things that don't sound familiar will be found in herb shops, health food stores--even some GNC's.When/if that fails, shop online!It's all very affordable.

These recipes are good for spa days, teenage sleepovers (girls would LOVE to make their own facial masks!) or just sisters wanting to relax on a Friday night.I also like to make things that I know are all natural and don't have lots of the extra stuff, and haven't been tested on animals.These are also great for people with sensitive skin (like me) or allergies to different chemicals.

The recipe I use the most is the grains cleanser with almonds and green clay and essential oils.My skin LOVES it, even better than some of the expensive stuff I've tried.

Rosemary Gladstar is a wonder, and you get this beautiful sense of her in the book.She has a website, as well.

great little book
This is a great little book of recipes. I go to this all the time when I making a lotion or some type of beauty product.Rosemary is so great, all of her books are the best.

Fun Book Good Resource
First off: I love this author's books-after buying this one, I purchased her herbal book for women. This is an awesome book for those like myself who prefer shopping at natural food stores and if you like the idea of making your own beauty products. Rosemary has a warm and friendly style in this well written, easy to read book. I really like how she has enriched the book with personal beauty stories and tips not just recipes. It is a fun little book making use of herbs quite a bit with a lot of great info and recipes packed inside. Would make a great intro book to making your own products but is also a good resource for those with experience. Oh, and there is a good section defining the needed ingredients like cocoa butter,rosewater etc-she tells you what is is/what it does/and availability of the item-very helpful. Thanks to her I know that Borax makes the skin cleaner & softer-it is a great ingredient mined from the earth-not a scary manufactured chemical like I thought! I am happy to have this book as part of my natural beauty library. (I also enjoy using Janice Cox's natural beauty books.)

Warning!
Do not buy this book if you already own Rosemary's Family Herbal!All but three recipes in Herbs for Natural Beauty are contained in the Herbal.Even the copy is the same.I was very disappointed. ... Read more

Product Description
Covering 1800 species of Chinese herbs and 700 related North American species, Chinese and Related North American Herbs: Phytopharmacology and Therapeutic Values provides clearly formatted tables that give you quick and easy access to information gathered from a wide variety of sources, both eastern and western, including those not generally available through usual searches. Written by the author of Medicinal Plants this book: · Presents the major constituents and therapeutic values of Chinese medicinal herbs · Contains data on toxicity, major chemical components and their therapeutic values · Provides Latin, Chinese, and English names for more than 1800 species · Includes three appendices that provide handy cross-references: Chinese and scientific names; major chemical components of Chinese herbs, and major chemical components of related North American herbs· Highlights the relationship between Chinese and North American medicinal herbs and possible replacements for Chinese with North American herbs· Compares active ingredients and claimed therapeutic values The wealth of information, attention to detail, and extensive research and references presented by Chinese and Related North America Herb: Phytopharmacology and Therapeutic Values makes it the resource to have on your shelf. ... Read more

Product Description
Discover the Natural Healing Wonders of Medicinal Plants
Enlightened consumers of health products want more than just pills that block out symptoms. Some of the most powerful preventatives for ailments are not located in prescription drugs but in common herbs found in your kitchen or your local health food store.
In this up-to-date and carefully researched book on botanical medicine, Dr. Michael T. Murray brings you the latest scientific findings about the power and efficacy of medicinal herbs.
Dr. Murray addresses such topics as:
·The magic of common food herbs and spices—onion, garlic, ginger, turmeric
·Hebal tonics—Chinese or Korean ginseng, Siberian ginseng, angelica
·Herbal sedatives—valerian, St. John's wort
·Herbs for asthma, hay fever, immune-system enhancement, bladder infections, diabetes, herpes, and menopause ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

The Healing Power of Herbs
The Healing Power of Herbs: The Enlightened Person's Guide to the Wonders of Medicinal Plants
There were quite a lot of common herbs that were not represented in this book.Also, the information given per each herb was not very complete.I was rather dissapointed in this book.

"THE" DEFINITIVE & COHERENT GUIDE FOR UNDERSTANDING MEDICINAL HERBS & THEIR APPLICATIONS
I FEEL I MUST FIRST SAY: TO DO "NO HARM" MUST COME FIRST & DOES IN THIS GUIDEBOOK!

I read a large number of alternative health and medical texts and some are better than others. I borrow as many as possible from the library, but Michael Murray's books, along with James Duke's, are among the few that I purchase and keep handy at all times. The approach of these two men are always safety first, and they follow the first cardinal rule of medicine which is to do "NO HARM". For that reason I feel a level of security that allows me to make the leaps of faith needed in order to try new things that will affect the health of myself and my loved ones.

IN A NUTSHELL: A terrific read, but very useful and efficient too!

The Healing Power of Herbs, contains detailed and coherent discussions about the effects and practical applications of 37 medicinal herbs and 34 common ailments treated by them. A short history of "herbal medicine" precedes these discussions.

WHAT IT IS:

SECTION 1: Pages 1-28

INTRODUCTION: BASIC HISTORY OF HERBAL MEDICINE & PREPARATIONS

SECTION 2: Pages 29-344

MATERIA MEDICA: In alphabetical order from Aloe Vera to Valerian, 37 of the most useful and commonly used herbs are examined. For each Herb examined, the same organization of the discussion is utilized as follows:

GENERAL DESCRIPTION, CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, HISTORY & FOLK USE, PHARMACOLOGY - [effects are itemized and examined in detail], CLINICAL APPLICATIONS - [what ailments the herb may be used for -each ailment is examined as it pertains to the particular herb], DOSAGE - [different forms of the herb and uses are detailed in regard to dose], TOXICITY - [usually described as the toxic effects on lab animals or the lethal dose in 50% of the cases {LD50}].

REFERENCES - [There is a long list of references at the end of each herbs discussion, which both validates the information and gives one other places to research the particular herb.]

SECTION 3: Pages 345-390

RECOMMENDED HERBS FOR SOME SPECIFIC HEALTH CONDITIONS - Again there is a repeated structure:

AILMENT - alphabetically listed, is described to aid in its identification and to illustrate its seriousness. After the description there is an "Herbal Recommendation" paragraph for each ailment. The use of multiple herbs in combination makes
section 3 important and indispensible when dealing with a specific ailment, as section 2 deals with the herbs and their actions individually rather than their uses in combination with other agents.

At the end of the ailments' discussion, there are references for each specific ailment which can lead one to further study quite easily.

GLOSSARY: Page 393-402

INDEX: Page 403-410

BOTTOM LINE: Works well with the "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine", Revised 2nd Ed. by M. Murray and J. Pizzorno

Currently value-priced at $12.95 through Amazon or other discounters, this is an extreme value and a great read filled with useful Herbal information. Bear in mind that this book, originally written in 1992 and later revised and expanded in 1995, is starting to need a major update. There are herbs like Ephedra that are included in this book, but have been taken off the market due to safety concerns. Though I have the revised second edition I would buy a third edition of this book in a heartbeat.

Herb book that is ahead of its time
This is the one herb book I would take with me to a deserted island :)

I've had it for years and it amazes me how ahead of its time it is.I've even found articles on coleus and guggul. It's hard to find info on these.

He includes both folklore and research information.

this is the best!
I have owned this book for 5 years.I still use it on a regular basis.Its one of the best books on basic herbs you can buy.I can't even begin to count how many times it has saved us from a trip to the doctor.Get this book if you want to keep yourself healthy naturally.

Best In Its Class
The Healing Power of Herbs is the most credible and useful herb book on the market, helpful for the consumer and the health professional alike.I especially appreciate the discussions of clinical trials, the medicaljournal references, and the easy-to-reference summaries of uses and dosagesof herbs.This is *the* book I turn to when I have a question about herbalmedicine.If you're only going to have one book on herbal medicine on yourshelf, this is the one! ... Read more