Review of Witch-Doctor's Apprentice: Hunting for Medicinal Plants in the Amazon (Library of the Mystic Arts) (Paperback)

This was a great read for me back in '94 when it was presented as a gift and I have often recommended it. Nicole shares her life story when she is in her 80s. One needs to keep in mind the prevalence of ethnocentricity of our society back in the 50's and 60's. And to her credit she tells the WHOLE story, including all her fumbling bumblings of an imperfect human.As one who has ventured a little into the Bolivian and Belizian jungle her misadventures are only to be expected and provide great humor and reading. An example of her humor is while she is deep in the amazon jungle she relates that she wasn't all that concerned because what self respecting warrior would want a meazly female head for a trophy. Nicole was way ahead of her time in two areas: collecting ethnobotanical information and plants, and fighting multinational corporations in the pharmaceutical industry by bringing information directly to the people. I wonder if anyone has ever discovered what that one plant was that given one tbsp a woman was sterile until given a tbsp of another plant and she was fertile again! One may only be able to realize what an adventuresome and hardy soul she is, if you have taken steps into the amazon jungle yourself.

Product Description
When Nicole Maxwell first visited the Amazon more than forty years ago, she had no idea that she would make a life's work of the people, plants and lore to be found there. Decades before Americans became aware of the riches to be found in the knowledge of plant medicines which native shamans had passed down over thousands of years, Ms. Maxwell, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, was scouring the Amazon ram forest for clues to this ancient medical tradition.

Now, on the eve of the decade in which mankind will have its last chance to determine the fate of this region and its wealth of traditional knowledge, Citadel Press's Library of the Mystic Arts is proud to bring out a newly revised edition of this classic work. Long hailed as one of the major works of popular ethno-medicine, this book is both an engaging adventure story and an engrossing account of the traditions of plant medicine to be found among the tribes of Amazonia -- and its re-release could not be more timely.

Scientists now fear that one plant species per day is being made extinct by man's ravenous appetite for "progress". Of the plants which are found only in the Amazon rain forest, only a tiny percentage have been tested for their full medical possibilities. Witch-Doctor's Apprentice is an inspiring and amusing plea to modern civilization to save these plants -- and the people who know how to use them -- before they are destroyed forever.

On the occasion of this newly revised edition, Ms. Maxwell has created an appendix which catalogs all of the plants mentioned in the text, with their scientific names, the names by which they are known locally, and their medicinal uses. This edition also includes a newintroduction by the noted ethno-botanist Terence McKenna.

"A spirited and engrossing personal narrative, as much about people and places, discomforts and dangers, the beauty of the jungle and the arc-leap of wordless communication across cultural barriers, as it is about... bringing natu

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Review of Chinese Herbal Secrets: The Key to Total Health (Paperback)

When you pick up a book in this genre, it's very important to ensure that the info is factual and relatively unbiased. Many of the books on wellness out there are really out to sell some supplement, product or service.

This book only gives you the facts on Chinese medicince. Using very simple language and plenty of illustrations, the author presents the basic principles of TCM - Yin, Yang and the 5 Elements. It's a very different "science", so some people may not believe in it, but there is really nothing secretive or mystic about TCM. It really works.

Especially helpful is the author's glossary of common Chinese herbs and their actions, side effects. He also has a few herbal formulas and food recipes. An essential read for novices who want to learn the basics about TCM.

Product Description
Chinese Herbal Secrets lists both Chinese and Western herbs with their uses and effects. It also provides a complete breakdown of the principles of Chinese herbal medicine for the nonspecialist, gives instructions on how to determine constitutional type, and shows how to choose the right herbs. Helpful exercises, homemade creams and tinctures for skin and hair, and delicious recipes are included.

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Review of Herbal Remedies for Dummies (Paperback)

I found this book very well written and very well balanced. It is invaluable for the newcomer to herbs, and would be a valuable addition to the bookshelf of a more experienced user too. It's one of those books whichsits in my kitchen and gets referred to almost every day.

Product Description
People have been using herbs to fight disease and promote wellness since prehistoric times. In recent years, science has gotten into the act and amassed quite a respectable body of evidence to support what healers the world over have been saying for centuries-herbal remedies work. Experiencing the heartbreak of psoriasis? A little dandelion root can clear it up. Grandpa's sciatica acting up again? St. John's Wort ought to put the spring back in his step. Got a bad case of poison ivy? Stop the itch with echinacea. Ginger tames the morning sickness beast-lavender and peppermint leaf also work well. Use licorice, chamomile, and wild yam root to pacify an irritable bowel.

If you're one of the millions of people who feel let down by conventional health care, or who've experienced unpleasant or harmful side effects from modern medicines, Herbal Remedies For Dummies is a book you'll want to have. Written by fourth generation herbalist Christop her Hobbs, it gets you up to speed on what you need to know to:

• Choose safe and effective herbal products
• Treat scores of common ailments and conditions
• Find specific herbal remedies for women, men, and kids
• Grow and harvest herbs
• Create herbal products at home

Chris clears up much of the confusion surrounding herbal medicines. He anticipates just about every question you're likely to have about herbal medicine, and he provides concise, interesting answers laced with fascinating details from history and folklore. From alfalfa to yerba santa, he describes an array of best natural remedies, and he supplies:

• Easy-to-follow instructions on how to select the best herbal products
• A Symptom Guide-simple and easy herbal remedies for more than 80 common conditions, listed alphabetically by symptom
• An Aroma Guide-an A-to-Z guide to 100 easy- to- find medicinal herbs
• More than fifty recipes for healing teas, oils, tonics, and more

This friendly, caring, and accessible introduction to the world of herbal medicine is an important resource for anyone looking for a safe, easy-to-use alternative, or supplement, to conventional medicine.



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Review of The Natural History of Medicinal Plants [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover)

Having an interest in the subject of medicinal plants, I have been looking for book that explained more about what compounds are in plants and how they affect not only people but nature as a whole. I was intrigued by the concept that plants produce these compounds as defense mechanisms for their own survival, and it is these same compounds that act as medicines (or poisons) when used by people. It also inadvertently explains plant companions for successful gardening. For instance, when Purple Sage leaves are crushed, they release a compound to nearby tomato plants to release their own insect inhibiting compounds. What a great book!



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Review of Herbal Remedies for Men's Health (Natural Health Handbooks) (Paperback)

much needed herb book dealing with men's issues...A+

Product Description
One of America's foremost herbalists provides concise, simple-to-understand, and practical information for using herbs for health and well-being. Each book contains profiles of specific herbs, cautions, contraindications, and easy-to-make recipes to relieve common ailments.

From the Back Cover
Look and Feel Strong, Healthy, and Energetic with Herbal Formulas

Discover Rosemary Gladstar's holistic aproach to men's health that pays dividends of increased energy, strength, potency, mental clarity, and reduced stress. You'll find lifestyle tips and simple formulas using herbs such as ginseng, kava-kava, and saw palmetto to prevent and ease the symptoms of heart disease, hypertension, infertility and impotency, prostate disorders, and more.



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Review of Herbal Home Health Care (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book for parents who would like to use herbal remedies, but don't know where to start. Dr. Christopher's book is simple and interesting to read.He offers information on cause of disease and howto avoid it, wonderful information on nutrition, an alphabetical list ofcommon childhood aliments with herbal remedies, and a section on how to'si.e. how to make an herbal tea, a fomentation, and a poltice and more.Ilove this book, I find myself turning to it time and time again!

Product Description
This excellent reference volume lists diseases inconvenient alphabetical order with concise definitions, symptomdiscriptions, causes, and herbal aids, other natural treatments, theincurables program, detoxificaion and the mucusless diet.A book forevery family.

About the Author
Dr. John R. Christopher educated thousands of people inlectures across the United States.His work with so called "incurablediseases" made him a legend in the herbal field.He is the author ofseveral books on herbs, diet, and health.As well as the founder ofthe oldest herbal school in America- The School of Natural Healingwhere is work lives on today.

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Review of Rainforest Remedies: 100 Healing Herbs of Belize (Paperback)

Being a student of rainforest medicinal plants myself, I found this book one of the best, published or unpublished, to-date. The drawings are excellent, making field identification easy. The presentation of both thecommon and scientific names of plants is invaluable. I found it interestingthat the Carribean people of Belize and the Carribean people of Costa Rica(where I am) use the same names and uses for many of the medicinal plants.This book is a wealth ofinformation for such a small price, not tomention, motivation for further inquiry. Thank You!

Product Description
The work of Rosita Arvigo and Michael Balick to bring the knowledge of the Mayan healers to the Western reader deserves due credit.This revised and enlargedsecond edition includes much additional information about the major herbs in the Mayan pharmacopeia.Their work proves that the rainforest has more value tomankind alive than cut down!

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Review of The Herbal Medicine Cabinet: Preparing Natural Remedies at Home (Paperback)

This book is exactly what I was looking for.As a student of altenative medicine, this will be a great addition to my "health library".There is a check list for one's herbal first aid kit/medicine cabinet, veryconcise and easy to follow directions, a little history of the herbs, alist of ailments and what to use.The ingredients for the most part areeasy to get your hands on and if you can't seem to find what you arelooking for--there is an extensive resource guide that includes everythingDebra St Claire has discussed in the book!Lip balms, salves, deodorants,mouth washes, baby products---you name it and you will most likely find itin this book.If I were to choose one book to start me on the path tohealth altenatives, this would be the one I would choose.Five star?No. How about a six!

Product Description
Offering a host of wild crafting techniques, all rooted in the principles of proper identification, harvesting and processing of nature's bounty, this text covers a range of herbal preparations from tinctures to salves, ointments and poultices.

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Review of Health from God's Garden: Herbal Remedies for Glowing Health and Well-Being (Paperback)

Speaking of my past medical history, I know these herbal remedies heal. I was diagnosed with an incurable disease of the bladder named "Interstitial Cystitis" and went to a good urologist for many years for treatment.By coincidence, my mother found this herbal book in German and told me there would be a cure in herbal science possible. My Godmother from Germany bought a tea from this book called:" Small flowered Willowrose" - I drank this tea for many months to come and I am cured because of it. I am a true believer in this and recommend this book to everyone out there who wants to get healed in a natural way without chemicals.



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Review of Honey, Garlic, & Vinegar: Home Remedies & Recipes : The People's Guide to Nature's Wonder Medicines (Paperback)

This book alows the reader to get "back to basics" with information to go "green" and not harm anything in the earth or aid.Easy to read with loads of information for everyone.



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