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Rating: 
Summary: Excellent and objective approach to using natural medicines
Review: As a user of herbal remedies, I found this book extremely informative. One of the most objective books I've seen on using herbs and natural supplements. Scientific research is included with each herb/supplement that has undergone laboratory testing. Both positive and negative aspects are included along with traditional uses, safe doses, a rating of 1-5, and warnings when applicable. With too many people jumping on the herbal bandwagon and forgetting that natural doesn't necessarily mean safe especially when mixed with other medications, this book is a "must have". Although I've had good results with some of the herbs that have not undergone stringent testing and, therefore didn't receive a high rating, this book is a great guide especially for the beginner.
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Summary: Disappointingly Shoddy
Review: Don't believe the rave reviews...She omits quite a few prominent dietary supplements (e.g., phosphatidyl serine), and the entries are pretty superficial from a pharmacologic standpoint, especially for a book from the APA. For example, 1) she mentions that Ginger is used for arthritic inflammation, but never says why it is credible for that purpose (it is a significant COX-2 inhibitor, a la Vioxx or Celebrex), 2) she omits that the primary modern use of Elder is as an anti-viral (she doesn't mention the substantial lab work on its mode of anti-infection action or list the well-known Israeli clinical trial as an anti-flu drug, 3) she erroneously equates grape seed and pine bark extracts as sources of antioxidant OPCs (the former is substantially more potent). And, she offers almost no info on the pros and cons of differing product forms, which can have very different effects and potencies (e.g., ground plant vs. standardized extract).
Laypeople and even professionals are much better off with The Natural Health Bible (Stephen Bratman, MD), Michael Murray's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicines, and similar works by Saul Hendler, MD and Dennis McKenna, PhD (the titles escape me).
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Summary: Excellent resource for the professional and layperson!
Review: I was given this book as a gift and was delighted! The information about herbs and other supplements was complete, well written, and useful. As a professional herbalist, I would highly recommend this book for both health care professionals and laypeople. It is an excellent clinical resource that provides up to date clinical information on studies of efficacy as well as drug interaction and contraindications. My only complaint is that some of the translations of Chinese herb names was done incorrectly (although I hope this will be rectified by the next printing).Overall an excellet book!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent resource for the professional and layperson!
Review: I was given this book as a gift and was delighted! The information about herbs and other supplements was complete, well written, and useful. As a professional herbalist, I would highly recommend this book for both health care professionals and laypeople. It is an excellent clinical resource that provides up to date clinical information on studies of efficacy as well as drug interaction and contraindications. My only complaint is that some of the translations of Chinese herb names was done incorrectly (although I hope this will be rectified by the next printing). Overall an excellet book!
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Summary: At last! A useful guide to this emerging market
Review: I'm a pharmacist who believes every physician interested in an easy to use, up to date overview of this emerging market needs this book.VERY pleased with it!
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Summary: An excellent health-care reference just in the nick of time
Review: In the growing movement for U.S. consumers to take charge of their health, we now have a resource to help us become knowledgeable and informed consumers of medical services. That resource is the 700-plus page reference, American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines, by Andrea Peirce. It is a giant work - lots of pages of organized research written for layperson and health-care professional. It is a smorgasbord of data about dietary supplements. And like most smorgasbords, you can expect it will take some time for consumers and health-care professionals to digest its content and to develop the habit of consulting it. The health-care professions can help by recommending that their members become familiar with the book. Perhaps professional associations can buy large numbers of the reference book and make them available to their members at a discount. What is certain is that the Practical Guide to Natural Medicines is a godsend for consumers, like me, who are looking for guidance. And that guidance is provided throughout the book. It begins with the shout-out by the National Professional Society of Pharmacist's executive vice president urging consumers to include your pharmacist in your medical recovery team. Pass on records, including medicines, to your druggist. In the introduction, noted physician-researcher Andrew Weil brings an inquiring mind of a superb teacher who continues to explore the boundaries of the frontier we often call natural medicines. Weil declares: "This guide to natural remedies is an excellent addition to the information available on the subject. It is comprehensive, clear, well researched, and useful." After examining dozens of entries, I am convinced that Weil's assessment of Andrea Peirce's work is correct. The author is a reliable researcher who has done her homework, consulting leading authorities and reviewing clinical studies. She even cites important natural remedy findings from the federal agency in Germany, where herbal medicines are tested and regulated by the government. And if this work help us make wise health-care decisions and increase the efficacy of health-care providers, then may the saints be praised.
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