Herbal Defense: Positioning Yourself to Triumph Over Illness and Aging [Paperback]

Robyn Landis (Author), Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1997

With Herbal Defense, bestselling fitness author Royn Landis teams up with master herbalist Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa, to offer a guide to herbal remedies for everyday ailments.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Landis, creator of the BodyFueling concept, here tackles herbal medicine. Written with herbalist and Ayurvedic practitioner Singh Khalsa, this work looks at wellness and healing from a natural perspective. At first glance, it shares many characteristics with other works in the herbal canon: it is informal, includes case studies and recipes, and is mildly anti-establishment. On second glance, two things set the book apart. First, the authors explain Ayurvedic principles in some detail and include charts describing the three doshas, or energy/body types; Ayurvedic principles also underline much of the herbal lore. The second difference is the book's consumer orientation; many natural healing guides assume that the reader is well versed in herbalism. Landis includes information on selecting a practitioner, preparations to buy or avoid, and dosage guidelines. An extensive bibliography encompasses popular herbal literature and papers from the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Research, JAMA, and Carcinogenesis. Written by a recognized wellness author, with an accessible style and format, this book is sure to be in demand. Recommended for public libraries in particular and of interest to more specialized collections as well.?Elizabeth Braaksma, Brodie Resource Lib., Thunder Bay, Ontario
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Landis, a health writer, and coauthor Khalsa, a practicing herbalist who provided factual information, present a comprehensive approach to health through herbs and food. They draw from diverse traditions, including Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Native American, for preventive and therapeutic herbal options for numerous physical, emotional, and additive disorders. Landis excels at detailed explanations in lay terms of herbal research and empirical observation; extensive references and a bibliography provide documentation. Highlights are her discussions of the history of herbal medicine, herbs versus pharmaceuticals, the immune system and how to support it, and recent myths and controversies about herbs. She ably counters criticism of herbal medicine from the medical community. Information on preparation and dosage and a few healthful recipes round out this handbook. Penny Spokes

Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (August 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446672424
• ISBN-13: 978-0446672429
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #208,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best. Really., July 24, 2006

By 

ThePaperbackStash.com (FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Herbal Defense: Positioning Yourself to Triumph Over Illness and Aging (Paperback)

While not as popular as some (for whatever reason), and certainly not as pricey, Herbal Defense is chocked to the brim with useful information. The authors certainly believe firmly in natural healing, with years of experience between them, concentrating more on preventive medicine over curing. Reading works such as this loans you confidence and reassurance in natural remedies - thank God - instead of scaring you off or subtly hinting herbs may be good for you like some watered-down books out there.

Focused more on Ayurveda but incorporating just as much with Western medicine, so that all parties can learn and enjoy, various herbs are discussed with folklore, personal usage, and studies/research. Several formula combinations are given, as well as details on different body conditions, such as depression and the immune system. In fact, the main emphasis of Herbal Defense seems to BE the immune system, all about increasing your stamina and making yourself healthy enough to combat just about anything. Special chapters are also devoted to children, men, women, cleansing, skin, energy, and other body systems.

The authors devotion to herbs is shown even clearer in one of my favorite segments, "Urban Myths and Sidewalk Talk", where Landis discusses the current comfrey controversy, the issues with licorice root and high blood pressure, ephedra made to look bad because of incorrect use, and more. Supplements and exercise are mentioned as complimentary therapy to herbal aide, in a straight forward, concise, reliable manner.

Herbal Defense enjoys sharing their views on the flaws of scientific studies, the dangers of relying too much on objective science and supposably objective scientists, using your own head to decipher through the garbage and see what's real, and of course on the history of herbalism and Ayurvedic medicine itself. There are charts to help show you where you fall and various eating recommendations for your body type.

Not short and sweet in any way, this book is more than enough for a beginner or advanced herbalist looking to relax with an informative companion. Witty, smart, strong, and intelligent, it's a great book that shouldn't be as overlooked as it is. If there are flaws, it's that in my opinion Landis isn't right on using pills over other herbal preparations because of their convenience, but hey, we all make our own paths.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant book!, July 26, 2000

By 

A Kooyman - See all my reviews

This review is from: Herbal Defense: Positioning Yourself to Triumph Over Illness and Aging (Paperback)

A most enjoyable book! >I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is full of information on >health, medicine and herbs. It is really worth buying and reading it >thoroughly. I am reading it for the third time at the moment and am still >enjoying this title. The emphasis is on prevention, not on curing. One of >the best books on the subject I have ever read.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book should be mandatory reading for everyone!, November 17, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Herbal Defense: Positioning Yourself to Triumph Over Illness and Aging (Paperback)

Probably the most illuminating book on preventative health care for the average person that I have read. It's a must read, especially for those of us who want to minimize the effects of aging and illiness!