The PDR Family Guide to Natural Medicines & Healing Therapies (Pdr Family Guide to Natural Medicines and Healing Therapies) [Mass Market Paperback]

Physicians' Desk Reference (Author)

Book Description

Series: Pdr Family Guide to Natural Medicines and Healing Therapies | Publication Date: May 2, 2000

Mainstream medicine's first guide to safe and effective modes of alternative healing

The world of natural and alternative medicine offers an amazing array of effective, inexpensive, but still controversial health-care choices. Now in this milestone book, America's most trusted provider of medical information, the Physicians' Desk Reference®, cuts through the controversy and tells you what you need to know about your healing options.

- Which widely available herbs, vitamins, and minerals act like potent prescription medication
- Fifty alternative therapy options--how they work, what they strive for, and potential side effects
- Self-help techniques to stave off--and even reverse--chronic problems and disease
- The latest findings on acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic adjustment, homeopathy, and much more
- How certain natural remedies interact with conventional drugs
- Easy-to-use indexes that will enable you to find treatment options for hundreds of ailments, identify the most effective herbal remedies, and research natural medicines by both common and Latin names
- A sixteen-page herb identification portfolio featuring more than one hundred medicinal herbs, photographed in full color

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The experts go alternative.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"As individuals increasingly empower themselves in a variety of areas in our society, so too are they requiring more information and input into their own medical care decisions. . . . A great resource for the patient in his or her dialogue with the physician."
--JOSEPH R. CRUSE, MD
   Founding Medical Director
   The Betty Ford Center

"An excellent supplement to the education that should occur during every health visit . . . allows people to find answers when and where they need them--any time of the day or night in their own home."
--BARBARA P. YAWN, MD, MS
   Associate Professor of Clinical Family Medicine
   And Community Health, University of Minnesota

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 640 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; 1 edition (May 2, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345433777
• ISBN-13: 978-0345433770
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #449,059 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Health, Mind & Body > Recovery > Smoking
  • #21 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Health, Mind & Body > Alternative Medicine > Naturopathy
  • #21 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Medicine > Alternative & Holistic > Naturopathy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars comprehensive overview of alternative therapies, January 10, 2000

By 

Brian (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The PDR Family Guide to Natural Medicines and Healing Therapies (PDR Family Guides) (Paperback)

One of the biggest problems encountered in approaching different medical strategies is sorting out the claims of the various schools. This volume presents a clear and well worded guide to a wide variety of medical issues, comparing the different available techniques. It is not perfect. In a volume of this size, judgemental claims are made, and one can disagree with the judgement made. Claims are made, without the reasoning behind them. To be honest, there is not enough space in a volume of this size for a more comprehensive evaluation, so you will have to read around the subject of interest. Having said that, despite room for disagreement, I found the information was accurate, comprehensive and understandable. If you want a handy, one-volume reference in clear format, this is the book for you. I liked the broad approach, but did not appreciate the "school medicine" assessment at the end of the reviews, although the balance was well met. I am recommending this book to my friends.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fair to Both Sides, October 24, 2002

By 

Harriet Hall (Puyallup, Wa USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The PDR Family Guide to Natural Medicines & Healing Therapies (Pdr Family Guide to Natural Medicines and Healing Therapies) (Mass Market Paperback)

An excellent overview of a controversial subject. Nothing in it should seriously offend either proponents of scientific medicine or proponents of alternative medicine. It is a good quick reference to most of the herbs and therapies in use today. Its presentation is balanced; giving pros, cons, possible side effects, dosages, etc. It clearly states which claims are based on proof, and which claims are not generally accepted. Particularly valuable is its discussion of how to choose what is best for you without getting scammed.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Some good info, but scattered with medical babble, July 24, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The PDR Family Guide to Natural Medicines and Healing Therapies (PDR Family Guides) (Paperback)

I sold this one... Had some good info, but also more info from those who have no understanding of the words "Natural Medicine."

If you want to know what the medical community is up to, and read thier propoganda about the natural health field, then it's a fair book to read, if you're loking for some really good alternative health information, you'd do much better to find an alternative source!