Customer Reviews

Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook, Updated and Expanded

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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.

I am a full time pastor, also a holistic nutritionist. The 2 authors of the book do not deserve to say that this book is "The Christian Handbook" in the aspect for alternative medicine because their comments on alternative medicine is deeply influenced by their medical training perspective, which means that they could only be good at writing "The Christian Handbook" for western medicine, not alternative medicine.

The information they used to critic against alternative medicine were from many biased source, under the influence of the pharmaceutical industry and even if the results says that certain alternative medicine has proven to work in certain ways, they will discredit it by posing fears on the very minimal side effects. It will make you laugh and angry! God have mercy on them!

As a chinese, we believed in Traditional Chinese Medicine, because we experienced it work for treatment of various diseases. In China, there were various universities teaching TCM, and a degree would easily take one to study full time for 5-7years. But their conculsion based on a few silly reports and concluded that it will not work to treat disease!

This book deserved to be dumped and burnt, do not waste your money!

What a shame !!!!

I found the historical background of such common alternatives as homeopathy and chiropractic to be interesting reading. There are detailed guidelines to help differentiate proven products from those that are questionable or downright dangerous. Clear explanations are provided as to why products may or may not work, based on a four-level evidence rating system.

There are 322 pages that rate most of the popular alternative therapies, herbs, vitamins, and dietary supplements. This represents the bulk of the authors' material and the part of the book that I will be referring to time and again if I have questions on Ginko and Ginseng or Wild Yam and Willow Bark.

Then at the back of the book is a list that summarizes the effectiveness of various alternative choices on certain common conditions such as allergies, arthritis, anxiety, etc. This volume is going to occupy a prominent place in my shelf of ready sources of information.

End the confusion; finally an easy to use MD analysis of alternative medicine

I always wondered if vitamins really helped improve health and mood. Thankfully, now I know due to the exhaustive work of Larimore and Mathuna in their updated version of "Alternative Medicine-the Christian Handbook".

It is amazingly simple to use, and covers every topic imaginable. (The section on diets was especially interesting with lots of useful sidebars). It presents both sides of the issues in a very readable fashion from a sound medical perspective. If you want to end the confusion about which alternative medicine techniques really work, you owe it to yourself to pick up a copy of this practical reference guide.

Dwight Bain, Nationally Certified Counselor and Certified Life Coach, Orlando, FL

Excellent book. Arrived early and in very good conditions. Very please with the service.