Miracle Cures: Dramatic New Scientific Discoveries Revealing the Healing Powers of Herbs, Vitamins, and Other Natural Remedies (Paperback)

by Jean Carper (Author) "Do those potions you see in health food stores, drugstores, supermarkets, mail order outlets, and discount chains really work?..." (more)
Key Phrases: grapefruit fiber, celery seed extract, grapefruit pectin, United States, What's the Evidence, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
For a growing number of Americans, the time for alternative medicine has come . Miracle Cures, written by CNN's former senior medical correspondent, highlights several of the most exciting natural remedies currently under investigation. There's St. John's Wort (also called hypericum), which has proven effective in combating depression; gingko biloba, a circulation-enhancer that retards Alzheimer's and other age-related memory problems; grapefruit fiber, which combats cholesterol; and many others. All of the compounds and alternative treatments listed in Miracle Cures are regularly practiced in Europe, Asia, or both. So why aren't they used in the United States? Carper points out that since "nature owns the patent," there's little financial incentive for American pharmaceutical companies to investigate natural compounds. Secondly, most American doctors are simply unaware of the testing that has been done on these techniques; most research has been done by non-English speaking physicians and written up in foreign journals. Responsibly toting up the risks and benefits of each, Carper is hoping for a sensible integration of natural remedies into American medicine. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
A syndicated health columnist and author of best sellers like Stop Aging Now!, Carper here explains how herbs, vitamins, and other natural remedies can cure your various aches and pains.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks (May 5, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060984368
• ISBN-13: 978-0060984366
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #45,735 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #14 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Nutrition > Vitamins & Supplements
  #26 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Alternative Medicine > Supplements
  #32 in	Books > Science > Medicine > Alternative & Holistic > Naturopathy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

79 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Approach with an Open Mind, March 23, 2005

By	David Stapleton (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Miracle Cures: Dramatic New Scientific Discoveries Revealing the Healing Powers of Herbs, Vitamins, and Other Natural Remedies (Hardcover)

The basic concept of the book is that there are herbal and dietary ways to alleviate or cure many of today's medical afflictions; that the many modern medications (and their associated side affects) may not be only path to relief. The author does a wonderful job of presenting the case for 21 such remedies in a reasonably scientific manner, with a minimum of sensationalism (yes, there is some, how can you avoid it in this genre, the book is called Miracle Cures after all).

Let me say upfront, I am a skeptic. I firmly believe in the adage - if it seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is not. However, Jean Carper, presents each remedy or supplement in such a straight forward manner that the claims seem reasonable, and for the cost of a few supplements, you have to ask yourself - Why not?

Each chapter covers one remedy, with sections on - what it is, how it works, supporting evidence (in the form of tests and trials), who should take it, how much to take, and consumer concerns (good brands so you don't get burned by buying bogus stuff). I found the latter helpful in searching out certain of the harder to find supplements, although many of the supplements are available in Standardized varieties now, so it may be less vital information than it was in 1997.

Does any of the stuff work? I do not know at this time. I have been convinced enough to put up a few dollars to try some of them though. My wife has moderately elevated cholesterol, so we are giving the grapefruit fiber a shot. We have all been a little moody lately (lots of stress), so we are giving the fish oil (Omega-3) a try. If these seem to work, I may try a few of the others.

My only complaint is that the book has a 1997 copyright, and could really use an update.
P-)

[Update May 28, 2005]
Don't know on the cholesterol, my wife goes back in in 4 months for a check, however, our mix of suppliments right now includes - ginko biloba, grapefruit fiber, grapeseed extract, Omega-3 fish oils, coenzyme Q10, and a multiple vitamin plus minerals. The result is that we are both feeling an otherwise unexplained surplus of energy and we are less moody and more positive in our attitudes.

[Update Sept 5,2005]
Okay, on the cholesterol, turns out I was over 260 last year when I had it checked (just didn't know). When I went in for a check this August I was down to 191, so while I cannot say 100% that the grapefruit fiber is responsible, there is a strong correlation.

71 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Science behind the "magic", November 20, 2000

By	Marc A. Breault "marc Breault" (Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is an excellent book. It introduces people to the idea that natural medicine can be effective and scientifically viable at the same time. What I found really useful in this work is her emphasis on all of the scientific studies which have been done in Europe. By so doing, the author explodes the myth that natural medicine is voodoo medicine, with no scientific merit to recommend it.

The author also presents the material in an objective and nonsensationalistic manner. This helps keep the remedies in perspective. False hope is not given is not fostered, but the healing powers of the remedies she covers are presented in an even-handed manner.

My only criticism of the book is the emphasis on tablets. This is not bad per se, but I would have liked to see a description of foods which contain some of the substances found in these remedies. For example, in speaking of vitamin E, or calcium, it would have been nice to have a list of foods which contain decent quantities of these substances.

Despite this criticism, however, I highly recommend this work to anyone who is interested in natural remedies. No matter how much you know, or think you know, this book will open your eyes to a new world of possibility and science.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Reference Book, December 2, 2005

By	A reader (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Miracle Cures: Dramatic New Scientific Discoveries Revealing the Healing Powers of Herbs, Vitamins, and Other Natural Remedies (Hardcover)

I will highly recommend this book to anyone looking for natural ways to control certain conditions that may be cuased mainly by lifestyle. Like cholesterol in some people, heart disease, etc... And if you can't affort a good naturopath, this book gives good advice... Because I know naturopath's can be very expensive, even in thou in my opinion they are worth the money, but not everyone has the cash...

My mother had her cholesterol at 210... After 3 months of taking Fish Oil, Garlic, Pro Fibe (A powder of fiber) and a greens drink, her cholesterol went down to 139!!! I know amazing... And she lost 10 pounds and felt better than ever. She takes her calcium liquid with magnesium and she loves it also.

With me my trigecerides and my heart were very high. My risk of heart attacks was extremely high. And after 3 months of taking Niacin (that's a B Vitamin), taking Fish Oils, and the greens drink, my triglecerides went down to like the 70's... And my risk for heart attacks went down 100%...

This book gives you a good starting point, if you will, for certain conditions.

I hope this review helped you and good luck!