Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: The Definitive Home Reference Guide to 550 Key Herbs with all their Uses as Remedies for Common Ailments ASIN: 0789467836 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: Excellent resource for medicinal uses... Comments: 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...

Encyclopedia of Homeopathy: The Definitive Home Reference Guide to Homeopathic Self-Help Remedies and Treatments for Common Ailments ASIN: 0789456338 Customer's Rating: 4 Summary: Good book - more detailed and better looking than others Comments: One of the more complete and well illustrated books available. This would suit a detail-oriented, inquisitive mind. DK also publishes simpler books on homeopathy and alternative medicine which would better suit those looking for an introduction. Why only 4-stars then? Well, the book is still incomplete for somebody looking to self-medicate (which is probably safe but a bad idea anyway), and I find that the description of how homeopathy works rather weak and unscientific. Although I know two people who claim to have been cured by it. There seems to be a tendency to pass off old, inadequate research as "good enough" -- well in this day and age I would expect better; the author is an MD after all. "Hair of cat" as a cure for cat allergies strikes me as similar to "hair of the dog" for hangovers (at least there was no eye-of-newt).

The Complete Home Wellness Handbook: Home Remedies, Prevention, Self-Care ASIN: 0929661648 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: Provides a home health encyclopedia Comments: Drs. John Swartzberg and Sheldon Margen and the editors of UC Berkeley Wellness Letter's Complete Home Wellness Handbook [...] provides a home health encyclopedia which allows readers to self-diagnosis and treat many common minor ailments from arthritis to snoring. An A-Z reference makes it easy to locate information, while the authorities involved lend their expertise to all topics.

Johns Hopkins Symptoms and Remedies: The Complete Home Medical Reference ASIN: 0929661524 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: An excellent health resource for the over 50s Comments: The reviewers who posted negative reviews seemed to have missed the point of this book, that it is SPECIALLY WRITTEN and DESIGNED FOR people OVER 50. So common ailments are not going to be in this book; I would recommend The Complete Home Wellness Handbook for the reader under 50. For people over the age of 50, or people who are acting as caregivers for people over 50, this is a terrific book everyone should have in the house.

Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies ASIN: 0609802860 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: Only book you will ever need Comments: I have a huge library. If i could keep only one book in this category it would be this one! I have used it for a few years now, its getting a bit worn! Really amazing helpful, everyday useful information.

If I'd Only Listened to My Mom, I'd Know How to Do This: Hundreds of Households Remedies ASIN: 0312155891 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: Indispensable! Comments: No self-respecting reference library would be caught dead without this valuable and practical guide. Anyone who lives indoors should own this.

Herbal Healing for Women: Simple Home Remedies for Women of All Ages ASIN: 0671767674 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: Rosemary Gladstar's Books - MUST READS Comments: Rosemary Gladstar's "Herbal Healing for Women" is at the top of my list of 'must reads'. I've taken her herbal homestudy course and read most of her books. As an herbalist student I have shelves of herb-related books and this is one of my favorites. Gladstar is one of the most respected herbalists today. Her books are easy to read and understand and full of helpful recipes. One problem with many herbal books is that they only mention what certain herbs are good for. Gladstar also explains how to use them and simply enough for anyone to understand. When my very pregnant daughter mentioned that her stretched skin felt sunburned I went searching for help. I checked through all my 'woman' herbals but only this book had a suggestion. I found the recipe for "Pregnant Belly Oil" which was easy to follow. The ingredients were easily found here at home and in town. The best part of it all was it works beautifully and smells great! This is a wonderful book to use to expand your study of herbalism. I have to admit that the review concerning peppermint encouraged me to write my own. If that review has made you re-think this book, you might want to consider that I checked through my library and found almost all my books listed peppermint to ease heartburn. Only one - "Green Pharmacy" mentioned the possiblity that peppermint caused heartburn BUT - note the BUT - it went on to say that they disagreed and suggested it was still a good herb for the problem. Buy this book and use it! You won't be disappointed.

The Family Guide to Symptoms, Ailments and Their Natural Remedies (Wade, Carlson. Home Encyclopedia of Symptoms, Ailments, and Their Natural rEmedies.) ASIN: 0130173649 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: Highly recommended for the family reference shelf. Comments: From hay fever to headaches and cold sores, this covers the common and often recurrent symptoms which affect individuals and provide safe, easily-applied natural remedies proven to have a positive effect. An excellent guide arranged by symptom.

The Doctors Book of Home Remedies II ASIN: 0553569848 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: Cheaper than a doctor, and more fun! Comments: This book is an excellent source of information, with thousands of direct-to-the-point pieces of advice that are apparently effective (at least those remedies that I tried worked.) The doctors' advice is clear, direct and absent of techincal medical terms. It's a "do this" and "here's why" kind of advice rather than a lot of theory. It's also fun to read; I've laughed out loud at some of clever writing. I originally bought this book for medical reference, and wound up taking it with me on vacation for "pleasure" reading. Not only have I learned a lot from it, but I showed it to my doctor and he agreed with the medical effectiveness of those remedies. I bought this book along with the Home Remedies Book for Children, and both are useful. But if you only want/need one, II (the blue cover) is the definite choice. It's more comprehensive and better written.

Rainforest Home Remedies: The Maya Way to Heal Your Body and Replenish Your Soul ASIN: 006251637X Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: rainforest remedies Comments: I have had the pleasure of studing with Rosita, and visiting her in Belize. I had a chance to look this book over while waiting for it to be published. It is a wonderful book, filled with the wisdom of the Mayan traditions, healings, and spiritual practices, that Rosita knows so well having spent over 30 years working with the Mayan healers. This book is a treasure and should be followed by reading her first book, Sastun, my appreticeship with a Maya healer, which followers her journey to Belize and her delightful relationship with Don Elijio Panti, one of the last most respected healers of Belize.

Homeopathic Medicine at Home: Natural Remedies for Everyday Ailments and Minor Injuries ASIN: 0874771951 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: Excellent home reference Comments: This is an excellent book overall and is the text for the National Center for Homeopathy's study group course. Dr. Panos gives verbose, anecdotal images of the differences between the different remedies for a given ailment, as well as good general background on homeopathy.

Alternative Cures: The Most Effective Natural Home Remedies for 160 Health Problems ASIN: 1579540589 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: The best book on alternative cures I've ever seen Comments: This is the most comprehensive, intelligent, and user-friendly reference book I've ever found on alternative remedies. And it's from Rodale Press, whom I've learned to trust. Anyone interested in alternative home remedies, especially parents, will want this around. Well done.

Jude's Herbal Home Remedies: Natural Health, Beauty and Home-Care Secrets (Living With Nature Series) ASIN: 087542869X Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: Indispensable! Comments: I am an herbology student, and my herbal and nutritional references are many, however, this is the one book that I turn to more often than any others. It gives complete herbal instructions in an easy to use, fun format. I am purchasing copies for my teenage daughters who seem to find something new in it everyday. It is a book you should not be without. If you are looking for a book with complete, effective herbal remedies for not only your family, but for your household and pets- LOOK NO FURTHER! Jude, God bless you!

Honey, Garlic, and Vinegar: Home Remedies and Recipes: The People's Guide to Nature's Wonder Medicines ASIN: 1886898030 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: Amazing things your doc wouldn't think to tell you! Comments: This book is easy to read, packed with info, and has wonderful recipes. I especially like the alternative remedies included using these three everyday items. I never knew, for example, that apple cider vinegar was great on burns until I used it on myself. No scar, no pain, no blistering! A good book to have on your kitchen shelf.

The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies ASIN: 0312207794 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: Good to have on hand if you self-medicate! Comments: If you take any herbal supplements, this might just be a good book to have as a reference. Did you know that taking St. John's wort and antidepressants can cause excess serotonin to be produced resulting in severe agitation, nausea, confusion and possibly even a heart attack? Well, according to a list of drugs that don't mix, that could happen. The authors suggest you read this book before taking any medications (prescriptions and OTC drugs). You might also want to ask your doctor if there is any medication you should not take with any new prescription drug he gives you. Most pharmacies will give you a list, but more often than not, there is no information on herbal medications or reactions. Kava Kava can cause sedation if taken with Xanaz or Valium. Xanax and Valium also should never be taken with alcohol or it will cause extreme sedation. Ginkgo biloba can cause excessive bleeding if taken with Coumadin or Aspirin. Ginseng can increase the potency of estrogen. Echinacea should not be taken with Ketoconazole or methotrexate for more than eight weeks or it will cause liver damage. If Antibiotics are taken with milk or other dairy products, it may not be fully absorbed and cause the infection to persist. A great book to help you see what you can and can't take together. Hopefully you will just take Herbs. They usually have less side effects, but you do have to read up about them.

The Herbal Medicine Cabinet: Preparing Natural Remedies at Home ASIN: 0890878269 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: A great beginning! Comments: Debra St. Claire (formerly Debra Nuzzi) did a series of videos with a book inside of it that was the basis for this book. Ms. St. Claire expanded the material and has made a very easy to understand and accessible book for both the beginner and advanced medicine maker. I had the pleasure of seeing Debra at Herfest a couple of years ago, and she is a fantastic teacher! This book is certainly something every herbalist or anyone interested in natural healing should own.

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