Customer Reviews

Herbs Demystified: A Scientist Explains How the Most Common Herbal Remedies Really Work

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you want the truth about herbs told in a clear and humorous manor, this is the book for you. It is so refreshing to read the facts about herbs uncolored by all the hype and misinformation out there from supplement companies and certain quack herbal "experts". Dr. Phaneuf writes in a fun and informative style, starting out with the sometimes hilarious background and folklore for each of the herbs covered. She then explains what actual effects (as determined by science and clinical trials - what a concept!) each herb has or doesn't have. It shouldn't surprise anyone that some of the most hyped herbs have the least actual effects, yet many others have amazing and real effects. I was most surprised that because of her clear writing, I could actually understand things about herbal molecules and what they would do in my body. Thanks to this book, I'm going to make sure I get enough omega-3 oils, and will have some wintergreen on hand for sore muscles. I'll also surely enjoy my spicy food more! (thanks to capsaicin) Highly recommended.

This book is phenomenal! It's full of specific information that gives the layperson the ability to research herbs. Coming from a scientific background, Dr. Phaneuf gives us the how and why of herbs to the best of our current knowledge. This book helps to clear up the misinformation, rumor and claims about herbs and herbal supplements and what they do. This book provides scientific evaluation of what is currently known about many of the most commonly used herbs. I find the book to be entertaining as well. Dr. Phaneuf has a great sense of humor that finds it's way into discussions about chemistry and double blind studies. Buy this book!

4 stars is an average:
3 stars for implying that only Western Science's double-blind, placebo controlled studies are of any worth.
5 stars for: readablity, layout & format, for including some of the fun and interesting history and folklore, for value, and for the personal anecdotes as well as for explaining, in layman's terms, the science behind the studies. I especially applaud that last point, the author's ability to explain the concepts behind the science in layman's terms.
Since I seem so impressed (I am. btw), it might seem churlish of me to subtract those two stars for the implication that Western "science" is the only way to look at things in general and herbs in particular. I don't think so. I have long training-nearly life long, in fact-training in alternative medicine and other alternative ideas. Therefore I am qualified to benefit from the Western science information and also to ignore or modify for myself the author's bias against traditional information.
I am guessing that's not so of the many readers of this book, not the least because this book is targeted at a general audience, and therefore this bias is quite a large deficiency in my opinion. Further, Dr Phaneuf, in ignoring some of the traditional information available on particular herbs, fails to give some of the traditional cautions and contraindication for certain herbs. That too I find a deficiency. Although I fully agree with the author that some traditional references like "this herb is good for the liver" are useless and possibly dangerous if relied upon, but that's certainly not all there is available in the way of traditional information. If this book were not aimed at a general audience I would not feel compelled to make such an issue of this.
Otherwise, I expect this book will be a valued addition to my library and I congratulate Dr. Phaneuf on an entertaining book in a very accessible format.

Definitely one of the better books on these subjects. Good consistent format as the author systematicaly goes through each herb- increased my understanding of how these substances may be used or misused. This book is a must have for anyone supplimenting with herbs- it helps you know what kind of questions you should be asking about any suppliment you may be considering so that even if it isn't covered in this book you know what you don't know before you go searching for answers. It really made me skeptical about other books I ordered which recommend everything on the shelf to everyone. I recommend everyone obtain this book and confront herbalists and other authors with the insights you gain from this book before blindly supplimenting.

It's wonderful to finally have a real Ph.D. scientist take the mystery out of all the herbal offerings in the world and learn what really works plus why and how! In addition, Dr. Phaneuf has a delightful and engaging writing style that makes learning serious chemistry both enjoyable and accessible to the lay reader.

the bias against herbs etc is quite revealing. does this author work for the drug companies? most of her comments are "unscientific" in the sense that her science is based on American studies and disregards other studies.Anything negative is emphasized and anything positive is qualified.She will write that of the 100 studies most were not strictly scientific,therefore one can not rely on them etc. What about the 10-20 studies that were done scientifically? What do they say? If an herb shows some positive benefit,she will state that it can not be proved and therefore may not be accurate. But if there is some negative about the herb, she will state stay away from it,again,without any scientific studies to support her claim.She is the type of "scientist"that 200 years ago would say that the idea of bacteria-invisible organisms-causing disease is ridiculous because they can not be seen and no studies have ever proven that. Her opinion of homeopathy-that it is nothing but a placebo effect says it all. Her " science " is that of a mind in a strait jacket;no imagination, no concern for health matters, that may work but have not been "proven" yet.One should look for this book in a book store, read about an herb one is familiar with and then decide whether one wants to waste money on this book.Some of the science is interesting,but her conclusions are anemic intellectually.

This book covers many herbs, but there are a few others that I hoped would be in the book. However, it is research based and is written at a level which should be understood by most people. The author incorporates good humor with bottom-line summary of what research has to report for the herbs covered.

This is simply a great resource. I have found it to be very useful for validating research on herbal medicine or in investigating the practical application and efficacy of renowned herbal remedies. Highly recommended for those interested in phytomedicine.

It's a very interesting and sober reading, gives you a great knowledge and finesse before taking herbs unknown to you.

This book goes in-depth about herbs, its capabilities and how much to take. The only thing I don't like, it didn't have all the herbs I wanted to know about in it.