Review of Herbs Demystified: A Scientist Explains How the Most Common Herbal Remedies Really Work (Paperback)

4 stars is an average:
3 stars for implying that only Western Science's double-blind, placebo controlled studies are of any worth.
5 stars for:readablity, layout & format, for including some of the fun and interesting history and folklore, for value, and for the personal anecdotes as well as for explaining, in layman's terms, the science behind the studies.I especially applaud that last point, the author's ability to explain the concepts behind the science in layman's terms.
Since I seem so impressed (I am. btw), it might seem churlish of me to subtract those two stars for the implication that Western "science" is the only way to look at things in general and herbs in particular.I don't think so.I have long training-nearly life long, in fact-training in alternative medicine and other alternative ideas.Therefore I am qualified to benefit from the Western science information and also to ignore or modify for myself the author's bias against traditional information.
I am guessing that's not so of the many readers of this book, not the least because this book is targeted at a general audience, and therefore this bias is quite a large deficiency in my opinion.Further, Dr Phaneuf, in ignoring some of the traditional information available on particular herbs, fails to give some of the traditional cautions and contraindication for certain herbs.That too I find a deficiency.Although I fully agree with the author that some traditional references like "this herb is good for the liver" are useless and possibly dangerous if relied upon, but that's certainly not all there is available in the way of traditional information.If this book were not aimed at a general audience I would not feel compelled to make such an issue of this.
Otherwise, I expect this book will be a valued addition to my library and I congratulate Dr. Phaneuf on an entertaining book in a very accessible format.

Product Description
Is green tea the revolutionary answer to weight loss? Can cinnamon help diabetics?Is yohimbe the new Viagra? What do herbs really do to your body?

From the Publisher
As researchers and consumers alike become more aware of the power of herbs, more information is readily available--and much of it is conflicting or even potentially dangerous. Yet most resources simply prescribe herbs, without explaining how the herb works. Finally, Herbs Demystified provides scientifically up-to-date explanations for what herbs really do--in a clear, concise, user-friendly way.

A lifelong fascination with herbs led biochemist Dr. Holly Phaneuf to research their properties and the cause-and-effect mechanisms of herbal molecules in the human body. Answering basic as well as complicated questions about herbal remedies, Herbs Demystified is practical, easy-to-read, and extraordinarily comprehensive, covering every relevant topic, including:

* Echinacea's long-debated healing properties
* Lemon balm and sage as treatments for Alzheimer's disease
* Tea tree oil's effectiveness in getting rid of bacteria--and its cost to your cells
* Soy versus black cohosh for the prevention of hot flashes
* Licorice's ability to heal ulcers--and cause overdoses
* Garlic's effectiveness in preventing blood clots
* Wintergreen as nature's aspirin
* Aloe vera's two forms--and the drastically different effects of each

Exploring more than fifty of the most popular herbs, from aloe to yohimbe, the oft-used ginseng to the less well-known turmeric, Herbs Demystified also contains:

* How scientists think herbs work
* Lists of common ailments and recommended herbs
* Little-known dangers and warning labels
* History and folklore
* Good effects...and not so good
* Commonly reported use and dosage

Herbs included: aloe, arnica, artichoke, astragalus, bilberry, black cohosh, borage, cascara, cat's claw, catnip, chamomile, chaste tree, cinnamon, cranberry, dandelion, echinacea, eleuthero, evening primrose, feverfew, flax, garlic, ginger, gingko, ginseng, gotu kola, grape, guarana, hawthorn, hoodia, horse chestnut, kava, lavender, lemon balm, licorice, marsh mallow, milk thistle, nettle, parsley, peppermint, red clover, red pepper, sage, saw palmetto, senna, soy, St. John's wort, tea, tea tree oil, turmeric, uva ursi, valerian, wild yam, wintergreen, witch hazel, yerba mate, yohimbe



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