The American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines
With an endorsement from Dr. Andrew Weil, you know this book is going to be good. And it's about time that an authoritative book like this was written; it'll come in handy for consumers who are bewildered by the lack of labeling on the hundreds of supplements available, as well as doctors and pharmacists, who likely learned nothing about these remedies in school.The American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA) has listed more than 200 herbs--and some supplements, like DHEA, zinc, and Coenzyme Q10--alphabetically. Many herbs are illustrated. Each listing includes the following:scientific and other common names (including those used in traditional Chinese medicine),what part of the plant is used,what ailment or ailments it's recommended for,the forms in which it is available,the dosages commonly used,and solid discussions of effectiveness and safety based on scientific study.The APhA also rates each herb on a 1-5 scale, with 1 being given to herbs that have been judged the most safe and effective over the years. It also cites both book and journal sources, so you know exactly where to research further if you're interested in learning even more about a particular herb.Dr. Weil points out that while the majority of prescription drugs were derived from botanicals, the lack of standardization in the U.S. supplement industry poses a hazard. For example, extract of feverfew has been shown to be effective in treating migraine in England, but the feverfew on the U.S. market may or may not be English feverfew, and therefore may or may not be as effective. The essential "Do's and Don'ts for Wise Consumers" gives tips on choosing the best brand of herbs, and the quick indices (one listed by symptoms and the herbs recommended for treatment, and one listing the herbs and the ailments they're used for) make it easy to familiarize yourself with the many herbs available. Highly recommended.--Erica Jorgensen