The Clinician's Handbook Of Natural Healing [Mass Market Paperback]

Gary Null (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Null, host of a syndicated radio program, Natural Living, and author of numerous books on nutrition, diet, and health, claims this text to be "the first comprehensive guide to scientific peer review studies of natural supplements and their proven treatment value." The main content is a selective annotated bibliography of human and animal studies from the biomedical literature on the benefits of specific nutrients, herbs, amino acids, and phytochemicals. Included here are studies from both the United States and abroad, the majority of which are in the National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE database (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/ freemedl.html). The remaining text covers phytochemicals in edible plants, the activities of these phytochemicals, antiaging nutrients, human dosage ranges, and toxicity studies. Unfortunately, Null's book lacks a preface explaining the intended audience and selection criteria, though positive findings seem to have been a prerequisite. Little attention is given to adverse effects, and it is unclear how treatment and preventive doses were calculated. Null's text requires the ability to interpret medical research findings, recommending it only for medical libraries needing quick access to positive studies on natural substances.ACharles Wessel, Falk Lib. of the Health Sciences, Univ. of Pittsburgh
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 880 pages
• Publisher: Kensington (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575667207
• ISBN-13: 978-1575667201
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.5 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #822,173 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scientific, Fact-Filled Alternative Medicine Handbook, February 19, 2004

By 

David Bennett (United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Clinician's Handbook Of Natural Healing (Mass Market Paperback)

This is one large book (870 pages!), filled with massive amounts of information regarding vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and other nutrients, and their effect on various diseases. Keep in mind this is a reference guide, primarily for clinicians, so it is not a book one would read through cover-to-cover.

The first section consists of nutrients, listed in alphabetical order. After each nutrient Null lists different diseases that a particular nutrient treats, backed by summaries of various scientific studies. He also provides the references, so one can easily look up the studies for him or herself. The studies come directly from scientific journals. For instance, looking under Zinc, we find that Zinc is beneficial for acne, and Zinc Sulfate and Vitamin A "significantly reduced" the number of papules, pustules, and infiltrates within 4 weeks. This is from a 1977 study found in "Arch Dermatol," i.e. the "Archives of Dermatology" journal.

The next four sections are: Herbal Superstars (well-known herbs), Additional Herbs, Therapeutic Amino Acids, and Essential Amino Acids. These are laid out just like the first section.

The next section consists of various fruits and vegetables and their phytochemical content. For instance, cabbage has over three pages worth of chemicals listed, from 1-cyano-2,3-epithiopropane to Zirconium (at anywhere from 1.4 to 203 ppm). Then Null lists each phytochemical alphabetically referenced to its therapeutic properties. Then he lists different herbal properties (such as "antiviral") followed by herbs that fall under that category.

Appendix A lists anti-aging nutrients (listed in the same manner as section one). Appendix B consists of recommended dosages of various nutrients and herbs. Finally appendix C consists of studies showing the potential misuse of supplements, and what overdoses might look like.

Overall, this book will be useful primarily to the clinician, but others may be interested as well. I am not a clinician, but interested in alternative medicine and the science behind it. No other health book has satisfied my interest as well as this book. My only complaint is that Null sometimes overlooks negative studies, but appendix C does remedy this to some degree.

22 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceedingly useful reference, July 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Clinician's Handbooks Of Natural Healing (Hardcover)

One of the problems in the natural medicines industry is the lack of peer reviewed, clinically proven information. The book is an excellent reference for anyone working in the natural medicines field. We find it especially useful in cutting down research time.