Herbal Remedies for Dummies (Paperback)

by Christopher Hobbs (Author) "Herbs work on many levels to help you maintain health or ease a troublesome or painful symptom..." (more)
Key Phrases: individual tinctures, droppersful tincture, light decoction, Herb Guide, United States, Symptom Guide (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
The successful "DummiesR" series gets into the alternative health field with these two titles. Dillard, head of Oxford Health Plans's Alternative Medicine Program, and Ziporyn have done an excellent job of compiling information related to the major alternative therapies. They discuss the limitations of alternative medicine and the dilemma arising from the paucity of scientific evidence on its effectiveness. The authors define the major therapies, outline benefits vs. harmful effects, and advise readers on how to talk with their doctors about alternatives. A final section lists specific health conditions and which therapies might help. Also listed are respected web sites, databases, and other information sources. The scientific literature is referenced throughout the text; tips and informational icons, as in the rest of the series, are quite helpful. Hobbs, an herbalist and botanist, explains the benefits of using herbal remedies, their selection and safe use, and growing and making herbals at home. He also provides recipes and dosages, identifies herbs for specific groups of people (such as senior citizens), and discusses aromatherapy and healing with spices from the kitchen. For easy reference, readers will find a symptoms guide, an herb guide, and a list of herbal suppliers and associations. Although Hobbs does not include a bibliography of evidence-based data to support his therapeutic claims, he covers the topic in a knowledgeable manner. His practical guide is an excellent introduction to the ways in which herbs can be used. Both titles are recommended for public libraries.AKristine Benishek, Good Samaritan Hosp. Lib., Dayton, OH
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description
People have been using herbs to fight disease and promote wellness since prehistoric times. In recent years, science has gotten into the act and amassed quite a respectable body of evidence to support what healers the world over have been saying for centuries–herbal remedies work. Experiencing the heartbreak of psoriasis? A little dandelion root can clear it up. Grandpa’s sciatica acting up again? St. John’s Wort ought to put the spring back in his step. Got a bad case of poison ivy? Stop the itch with echinacea. Ginger tames the morning sickness beast–lavender and peppermint leaf also work well. Use licorice, chamomile, and wild yam root to pacify an irritable bowel.

If you’re one of the millions of people who feel let down by conventional health care, or who’ve experienced unpleasant or harmful side effects from modern medicines, Herbal Remedies For Dummies is a book you’ll want to have. Written by fourth generation herbalist Christop her Hobbs, it gets you up to speed on what you need to know to:

• Choose safe and effective herbal products
• Treat scores of common ailments and conditions
• Find specific herbal remedies for women, men, and kids
• Grow and harvest herbs
• Create herbal products at home

Chris clears up much of the confusion surrounding herbal medicines. He anticipates just about every question you’re likely to have about herbal medicine, and he provides concise, interesting answers laced with fascinating details from history and folklore. From alfalfa to yerba santa, he describes an array of best natural remedies, and he supplies:

• Easy-to-follow instructions on how to select the best herbal products
• A Symptom Guide–simple and easy herbal remedies for more than 80 common conditions, listed alphabetically by symptom
• An Aroma Guide–an A-to-Z guide to 100 easy- to- find medicinal herbs
• More than fifty recipes for healing teas, oils, tonics, and more

This friendly, caring, and accessible introduction to the world of herbal medicine is an important resource for anyone looking for a safe, easy-to-use alternative, or supplement, to conventional medicine.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (November 16, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764551272
• ISBN-13: 978-0764551277
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #112,456 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent information, not just for dummies!, October 14, 1999

By	Christine C "goddesstanith" (London) - See all my reviews

I found this book very well written and very well balanced. It is invaluable for the newcomer to herbs, and would be a valuable addition to the bookshelf of a more experienced user too. It's one of those books which sits in my kitchen and gets referred to almost every day.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent book, May 1, 2000

By	"tiggietiggerman" (Churchville, Pa United States) - See all my reviews

I own about a dozen books on herbal medicine and I keep finding myself back to this one time and time again. It is well written with a ton of useful information ranging from uses,terminology, cautions, and best ways to use the herbs. A must have for anyone interested in herbal medicine

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent introduction/refresher for herbal medicine, September 28, 2008

By	KTp (Seattle) - See all my reviews

I am studying herbal medicine, and this is an excellent refresher for my courses. It would also be a great introduction to all of the basic concepts of herbal medicine for non-scholastic endeavors. Christopher Hobbs is well known in the field, and a highly reliable source.