Review: Very Basic
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 12 10, 2013
Herbal Remedies Guide: All About Herbal Medicine by Diane Wilson is designed for those new to the subject and have no prior knowledge or experience on the topic. Being that there is only 28 pages in this book and 9 chapters it is clear that each chapter is very short and rudimentary. This short book will provide a basic foundation and serve as a starting point for further research. It provides information on the more common herbal supplements that are available.Topics Include:+ Introduction to Herbal Remedies+ Herbal Supplements+ Caution about Herbal Remedies+ Some Examples of Herbal Remedies+ Form in which Herbal Supplements come in+ Case for Herbal Remedies+ Preserving Active Compounds When Preparing Herbal Remedies+ Guide to Campers on the Edible Plans in the Wild+ Plants to Avoid in the WildOne aspect that is extremely important to understand as stated in the book is, "The US Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, classifies herbal supplements as dietary supplements meaning that they don't have to go through clinical trials to be tested for safety and effectiveness." Herbal supplements, while they can have some efficacy, are not at the same standards of prescription medications. There is typically a very wide variance between companies who produce herbal products. This can make it very challenging for consumers to obtain a supplement that meets their particular needs. It is also important to understand that just because a product is labeled "herbal" doesn't mean that it is necessarily safe. Even herbal supplements have side effects and contraindications.For those planning on considering herbal remedies for a specific medical condition they should first consult with their physician to see if it will exasperate other conditions or interfere with current medications. Herbal does not necessarily equate to safe.The chapter on "Guide to Campers on the Edible Plants in the Wild" would benefit by having high quality photos of each item listed. The same goes for "Plants to Avoid in the Wild."Overall Assessment:Herbal Remedies Guide: All About Herbal Medicine by Diane Wilson is written for those who know very little about herbal supplementation and are just getting started. Further research on your part will be required especially when deciding which specific herbal products to purchase and from which manufacturer. All of the information presented in this book is available for free on the internet. If you have a basic understanding of herbal supplements this will not be a book for you as it is very basic.