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Herbal
Book Reviews
by
Donna M. Jones
The
Natural Pharmacy: Complete Home Reference
to Natural Medicine
The Natural Pharmacy: Complete Home Reference to Natural Medicine, (revised and expanded) is a “most reliable and complete book on natural medicine” that covers more than 400 nutritional supplements, herbs and homeopathic remedies. This large thick paperback is well-organized and easy-to-read. It consists of four parts, each of which includes simple tables and checklists, along with extensive reference or cross-reference sections. Its authors (clinical practitioners) caution that this book is an “information and educational” reference that one should only use in “consultation with a nutritionally-oriented physician.” Almost
300 health concerns are discussed
in Part One, ranging from acne to
yellow nail syndrome. For each health
concern, information is provided on
dietary changes, nutritional supplements,
herbs and homeopathic remedies. Part
Two covers 113 nutritional supplements,
including where each is found, who
is likely to be deficient, how much
is usually taken, and conditions for
which they have been used. In Part
Three, the historical and traditional
uses of 234 herbs are discussed, along
with conditions for which each herb
might be supportive, how much is usually
taken, and active constituents. Botanical
(Latin) names are also listed. Part
Four covers homeopathy beginning with
'What is homeopathy?' and 'Understanding
Homeopathic Potency,' which includes
dosage directions. Homeopathic remedies
are then given for 77 health concerns.
The
first three parts of this excellent
book also include discussion of 'any
side effects or interactions.'
It is also wise to use a resource
like the A to Z Guide to Drug-Herb-Vitamin
Interactions (by the same authors)
regularly, if you are using traditional
and alternative/natural medicines
simultaneously, without being fully
aware of possible interactions.
Herbal
Gold
By
Madonna Sophia Compton
Rich,
warm and inviting. The bold gold imprint
of the words Herbal Gold
shines along side bottles filled with
a few fresh herbs in clear golden
liquids. This rich warm image invites
you into “the complete guide
to the use, lore and application of
over 90 essential medicinal herbs.”
Herbalist Madonna Sophia Compton has
written a well-rounded, sophisticated
guide. For each essential medicinal
herb, she provides a description,
therapeutic profile, dosage and administration,
and medicinal uses. She also gives
history and lore, recent research,
gathering and useful notes, and 'correspondences.'
It
is fortunate that Compton goes beyond
'use, lore and application.'
She presents an important overview
of the development of herbal medicine
and its growing contemporary significance.
We learn about the work of famous
herbalists, including the formulas
and healing philosophy of Dr. John
Christopher, why Rosemary Gladstar
is considered the 'Godmother of
the Herbal Renaissance,' and how
John Lust bridged the gap between
older and newer approaches. Also,
Compton identifies the 'Twelve
Most Important Herbs,' recommends
a 'Millennium Herbal First-aid
Kit,' and answers 'Frequently
Asked Questions about Herbs.'
Book
Review article continued next page, click
here!
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