Prescription for Natural Cures (Paperback)

by James Balch (Author), Mark Stengler (Author) "An abscess is an accumulation of pus that can occur anywhere in the body, including on the skin and inside of organs and tissues..." (more)
Key Phrases: medicinal use, other recommendations, optimal intake, Super Prescription, Parts Used, Potential Side Effects (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Balch, who coauthored the bestselling Prescription for Nutritional Healing, and Stengler, a naturopathic doctor, present this hefty reference book with detailed entries for about 200 ailments, from "abscess" to "warts." Each entry offers a definition of the condition and an explanation of associated symptoms, causes and testing techniques. The authors provide treatment options for each problem, including homeopathy, hydrotherapy and "Super Seven Prescriptions" (specific remedies mostly involving dietary supplements). Although some readers may wonder why almost as many pages are devoted to "dizziness" as "cancer," the entries do provide a helpful overview of common therapeutic approaches and include journal references, though it appears only some of the recommendations are supported by published studies. Balch and Stengler review basic alternative therapies, too, such as diet and nutrition, nutritional supplements and traditional Chinese medicine. While they acknowledge that some people will require both conventional and natural treatment, their tendency to equate "natural" with "nontoxic" seems overly simplistic. Many dietary supplements, for example, can be as potent as prescription drugs and cause side effects or interact with other medications. Still, readers navigating the sprawling world of alternative medicine will find this comprehensive resource to be a helpful starting place.
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Product Description
The new natural health bible for the twenty-first century

Dr. James Balch coauthored Prescription for Nutritional Healing, which became the first major popular guide to the healing power of foods and nutritional supplements, selling more than 8 million copies in all its editions. Now, Dr. Balch and Dr. Mark Stengler present a new natural health resource that you can’t afford to be without--a comprehensive reference of natural remedies for common ailments, including: acne • allergies • arthritis • asthma • back pain • cancer • depression • fibromyalgia • heart disease • hypothyroidism • influenza • irritable bowel syndrome • menopause • osteoporosis • stroke • Syndrome X • varicose veins, and more--almost 200 health problems and conditions in all.

Prescription for Natural Cures provides a complete natural Rx for each condition, giving you a proven, natural, customized prescription that may include supplements, herbal medicine, homeopathy, aromatherapy, Chinese medicine, hydrotherapy, bodywork, natural hormones, and other natural cures in addition to nutritional advice. Organized by problem from A to Z, this invaluable guide features:

• The unique Super Seven Prescriptions for each condition, which provide specific and practical remedies to help heal your problem. You have never seen natural health advice as helpful, targeted, and accessible as this
• Clear, authoritative guidance on dietary changes, healing foods, nutritional supplements, and recommended tests
• Easy-to-understand discussions of the symptoms and root causes of each health problem
• Down-to-earth descriptions of each natural remedy
• A resource guide to holistic practitioners

This breakthrough book is an indispensable resource if you want to get better--naturally

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 736 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (September 23, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471490881
• ISBN-13: 978-0471490883
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #53,396 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #41 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Alternative Medicine > Holistic
  #46 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Alternative Medicine > Naturopathy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

103 of 109 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A handy reference, February 13, 2005

By	Anil Minocha MD "Gastroenterologist-author" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This user-friendly reference on natural healing and preventative strategies for a variety of ailments is based on the premise that body functioning is optimal when the foods ingested are as close as possible to their natural state. The physician-author believes (and lot of people endorse this view) that non-emergent and chronic ailments should be managed by holistic medical techniques, while using modern medicine as a useful adjunct, and not the other way around.

Each chapter is devoted to a health condition, and it is further subdivided into an overview of the disease, its root causes, symptoms and testing techniques. Treatment is divided into recommended foods and the foods to avoid, detoxification strategies as well as complimentary treatments including homeopathy, accupressure, stress reduction and aroma therapy.

Over 100 health conditions are discussed in this format! These include conditions as diverse as acne, high cholesterol, diarrhea, headache and sinusitis etc. Part II of the book reviews essentials of natural medicine including diet, nutrition, fasting, supplements, exercise etc. This is one thorough book to have around!

Anil Minocha MD
Author: Natural Stomach Care

71 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Reference for a Family, Excellent Policy for a Nation, August 18, 2005

By	Robert D. Steele (Oakton, VA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

This is the more recent (2004 versus 2000) and the more comprehensive of two books that I have bought and use, but I do recommend that the other book, Bill Gottlieb's "Alternative Cures" be bought at well.

This book distinguishes itself by routinely including, in addition to clearly laid out natural herbal prescriptions, what the options are that might be effective in Acupressure, Bodywork, Stress Reduction, Bach Flower Remedies, and Other Recommendations.

All informatioon has to be taken with a grain of salt, but I have found that by combining the recommendations from this book with those of Bill Gottlieb, I get a better over-all sense of where there is consensus, and I get a clearer picture of what natural cures to select from the broad range that both books recommend in different ways.

This is the better of the two books, but it is not sufficient to stand alone. The two together provide a superior meld of knowledge tailored to each individual reader's needs.

47 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reference, March 9, 2005

By	Loaiza "antigonanyc" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

It's no surprise that with the increasing costs of traditional medicine (not to mention the invasive nature of some treatments and the alarming side effects of most prescription drugs) many are turning to natural or alternative remedies. Balch and Stengler provide a great source of information on everything from herbs and other supplements to accupuncture and bodywork. For each condition listed in the book, the authors offer 7 super prescriptions (7 supplements). I've been using the remedies for lower back pain and I've found them very helpful.