Herbal Remedies For Dummies
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, OHCopyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.