Cover Image: The Natural Medicine Handbook

The Natural Medicine Handbook

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

The book is not set out very well. You have to look for the important information you want. Mostly statistical. The book is not as I thought it would be, easy to find the information on what I needed to read, got bored and ended up flicking through to find what I needed. Book needs more structure to find the relevant information for each disease to what to eat for the beneficial health. I found it too analytical and not very layman friendly.

Was this review helpful?

Super helpful book overflowing with statistics and references. I highlighted a ton of passages (150+ !) , will be checking out some of the resources like ConsumerLab.com and will definitely be referring back to this as needed for many years to come. Getting the kindle version makes it very easy to search for a particular issue or product (though the index does as well). Would recommend.

Was this review helpful?

It felt like a super long study that didn't actually give you much information. Also believe that prayer can heal if you do it every day

Was this review helpful?

The best way to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy is to know what medicines and supplements are the best for you. Consult your doctor only goes so far while you are trying to set healthy goals and stock to them. I have done numerous hours of research on vitamins, supplements, herbs, and other ingredients science has deemed "safe for human consumption". This book has become part of a series of books that I use for reference on almost a daily basis. The information is presented in a clear, concise, easy to understand manner with cross references clearly marked. I'd recommend it to everyone working through a health care plan.

Was this review helpful?

This book is an amazing addition to any home library, I found it very useful and keep going back to it and reading it when need it.
I highly recommend buying and reading this book to everyone.

Was this review helpful?

The Natural Medicine Handbook is a book that makes the point that most natural things aren't effective and potentially dangerous. It makes the case for more research and regulations.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

When it comes to natural medicines, such as herbs, vitamins, and dietary supplements, you want to make sure you're getting the truth about what works, what is safe, and what is a waste of money. You need evidence-based, trustworthy, unbiased sources and studies so that you can make wise decisions for yourself and your family.

In consultation with the experts at ConsumerLab.com and Natural MedicinesTM, Dr. Walt Larimore has combed the available research from around the globe to evaluate about 1300 natural medicines or interventions for more than 500 conditions or indications summarized in helpful charts and tables. This highly readable and reliable guide will tell you what natural medicines have proven to be both safe and effective while suggesting the best-value "Top Picks" for health issues such as

- brain and heart health
- digestive and immune health
- energy and fatigue
- losing weight
- keeping hair, skin, and nails young
- increasing the quality and length of your life
- and many more

Arranged topically so you can go directly to the information you need, this comprehensive, trustworthy guide is a resource you'll return to again and again.
This book is irreplaceable to me! So much so that I want a hard back copy. I have always been interested in alternative medicine and herbal medication and vitamins and supplements. I have chronic health conditions and fibromyalgia and I am so aware how diet and what we lack/requirements via supplements are vital. This was an outstanding addition to the knowledge I have already acquired over the years! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Was this review helpful?

Hi fairly enjoyed this book. I think my main issue with it is that I was expecting more recipes and less wording. Where I do understand the chemistry behind the medicinal quality makes sense, I felt like this should be more of a handbook type format where you can either take notes or jot down recipes that you find interesting. I left a little to be desired for me.

Was this review helpful?

I want to thank the author and Netgalley for gifting me the ebook version. I loved looking through this book. It is so informative and I am all about natural medicine as much as possible. I believe anything that God created is good for us and it better than popping pills. I will not be reading or looking through this book once but many many times in the future. I can't wait to share this book with all my friends and family.

Was this review helpful?

"The Natural Medicine Handbook" talked about the dangers of dietary supplements and how to find safe and effective ones. The author has more confidence in pharmaceuticals than dietary supplements and herbs. He'd prefer that supplements undergo similar testing for safety and effectiveness as prescription drugs and doesn't recommend any that lack testing like this. Which isn't really fair for herbs that have been used safely for centuries, but, hey, he doesn't talk about very many herbs. However, I do agree that supplements should contain what they say they contain and in the amounts claimed and not contain contaminants or undeclared additives. I already knew about services like Consumerlab.com and Labdoor.com and have used them. I also approve of his emphasis on changes of lifestyle, like eating more fruits and vegetables, exercising more, quitting smoking, etc.

The first part of the book covered information like this, but the rest looked at different categories of supplements, like multivitamins, supplements for brain health, hearth health, losing weight, immune boosters, energy boosters, high cholesterol, digestive problems, hair and nail problems, etc. He named certain products that are approved of by Consumerlab and talked about some supplements that he doesn't recommend, explaining the problems with them. I'd recommend this book to those who aren't aware of the potential problems with dietary supplements.

Was this review helpful?

I ordered this book because I researched the Dr. and I trust the publisher and was pleased at the wealth of information that helped me do more digging to get to the information that would help me and my family. The author has broken down the information into different sections. Part one lays the groundwork in discussing what Natural Medicines are, which ones are popular, problematic, what is safe, effective and what might be more effective than Natural Medicine.

Part two discusses an overall approach to Wellness and Multivitamins. He talks about Brain Health in two parts, one with individual Natural Medicines and the second part with a combination of Natural Medicines. Then he talks about Cholesterol and Dyslipidemia, Energy and Fatigue: Energy Drinks and Shots, Then Gastrointestinal Health in three parts. The first discussing Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes and then Celiac Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Then Diarrhea, Constipation, and indigestion. The next thing he talks about is Healthy Hair and Hair Loss, Heart Health, Hypertension, and Heart Attack, Immune Health, Keeping Skin and Nails young, then finally weight loss. The author leaves readers with other resources from this doctor and when to get other studies on other concerns.

The Dr. is sure to point out, “These products might be beneficial but do not have enough high-quality evidence to recommend for most people.”

He gives you lots of information to process and research for yourself, so you can narrow down what products and/or diet will work for you and your body. He highly recommends that you discuss things with your Doctor before jumping into self-diagnosis. The Dr states, “The amount of information regarding options for almost every problem known is overwhelming, and unfortunately, as I’ll show you, much of it is inaccurate. Nevertheless, for the conditions covered in this book, I’ll provide you with evidence-based recommendations from the most recent and reliable medical studies.”

This book is a resource to help you navigate the truth and get answers to your questions in the middle of all the media outlets trying to grab our attention, time, and money. This book is a keeper.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

Was this review helpful?

This book has definitely made me think more about what I consume. Especially the supplements that I take into my body. I had no idea those things weren't regulated as well as I thought they were. This book has a lot of good information in it and almost too many facts and data. (It's pretty dense) but at least you know the information comes from actual research. I recommend skipping to sections of interest to you instead of reading straight though.

I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

Was this review helpful?

Before reading this book I did a bit of internet research on Dr. Larimore, and found him to be credible. I also trust the publishing company, Revell, so I felt comfortable reading and now recommending The Natural Medicine Handbook. In the book Dr. Larimore not only tells of the benefits of natural medicine, but also alerts readers to things that may be problematic. He stresses that above all a healthy lifestyle is the best path to wellness, emphasizing the importance of mental, social, and spiritual health along with physical health. The handbook has chapters addressing brain, heart, gastro-intestinal, immune, and hair and skin health among other areas. I found the book to be helpful with regards to health concerns in our family, and found some adjustments we need to make. I recommend it to others who are interested in making changes to improve their or family members' health.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Natural Medicine Handbook from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Was this review helpful?

The name of the book "The natural medicine handbook" suggest that it's a handbook about natural medicine so I though it was going to be a book about each ind of natural medicine and the benefits but seems like this book is the opposite and it disagrees with the popularity of the natural medicines. I do agree with the author about lifestyle changes that can help improve heath like avoiding tobacco, drinking little or no alcohol, eating a nutrient dense diet, reducing stress and other tips. There's a lot of informations and explanations on why the author doesn't agree with the popularity of the natural medicine. I haven't finished the book yet though, I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

Was this review helpful?

The Natural Medicine Handbook
The Truth about the Most Effective Herbs, Vitamins, and Supplements for Common Conditions
by Walt Larimore MD
Back of the Book: “When it comes to natural medicines, such as herbs, vitamins, and dietary supplements, you want to make sure you're getting the truth about what works, what is safe, and what is a waste of money. You need evidence-based, trustworthy, unbiased sources and studies so that you can make wise decisions for yourself and your family.
In consultation with the experts at ConsumerLab.com and Natural MedicinesTM, Dr. Walt Larimore has combed the available research from around the globe to evaluate about 1300 natural medicines or interventions for more than 500 conditions or indications summarized in helpful charts and tables. This highly readable and reliable guide will tell you what natural medicines have proven to be both safe and effective while suggesting the best-value "Top Picks" for health issues such as
- brain and heart health
- digestive and immune health
- energy and fatigue
- losing weight
- keeping hair, skin, and nails young
- increasing the quality and length of your life
- and many more
Arranged topically so you can go directly to the information you need, this comprehensive, trustworthy guide is a resource you'll return to again and again.”
Impressions: This was a well-balanced book in approaching medicine and health. For reference my husband is a nurse practitioner and I have an education in occupational therapy. As a family we strive to live a healthy lifestyle. I think this book gave sound wisdom in navigating health and medicine in an overwhelming world of options and information. This is not a book as some have stated that is full of natural remedies. It is however a book that educates on how to find the most effective natural remedy in the medical world for your ailments. In a world where “taking a pill” to solve all your problems is plastered on every media platform we see or hear makes it hard to accept that sometimes the best you can do for your body is making lifestyle changes. There was a repetitive reminder that diet, exercise, decreasing stress, and eliminating smoking and alcoholic beverages from your life are going to be the most effective changes to your health. That being said, common ailments and conditions were discussed in this book with each section having one or more tested and reviewed suggestions for improvement. This was a short but effective book that reviewed natural remedies with a critical and scientific lens. I appreciated the advice given and think it is important to have a balanced approach to medicine. Natural remedies can be useful but we should also be mindful of the need to use advancements in medicine such as vaccines or prescriptions as well. This was not comprehensive as there is an overabundance of options for every ailment or condition but it was a guide to help know how to use wisdom and judgment in picking the right option for yourself.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here.

Was this review helpful?

This definitely wasn't a book for me. Half of this book is charts, while the first half is a lot of explaining things quickly without going too much into them. A lot of information, yes, but not all worth reading.

Was this review helpful?

A useful reference book, as well as an eye opener to the fact that lifestyle changes, such as nutrition and sleep and exercise are so important to good health. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me an advance copy of this book.

Was this review helpful?

When I chose this book, the cover drew me in with gorgeous pictures of herbs, powders, and peppers. The blurb on the cover promised the "truth about the most effective herbs, vitamins, and supplements." I thought I might learn more about which vitamins and herbs I can use most effectively for health without turning to prescription drugs. Boy was I wrong. This is mostly a diatribe against what the author calls "natural medicine." He spends a majority of the book railing against everything from multivitamins to rosemary, thyme, and garlic! Basically he's saying most "natural medicines" are ineffective and most sellers of "natural medicines" are lying to you. The Book's Title, "The Natural Medicine Handbook," led me to believe I was looking forward to a study of effective herbs, plants, and vitamins. This book is the opposite of that.

The author continually gives the impression that in his opinion most of what he deems "natural medicine" is a waste of time and money. However, interestingly enough, he continually said a healthy diet containing lots of fruits and vegetables is the best way to health. Fruits and vegetables, in my opinion, are natural medicine!

I agree with his assertion that "quick weight loss" pills/products are bunk. But I disagree that "natural medicine" doesn't help with weight loss. Fruits and vegetables, as I point out above, are "natural medicine." Herbs are a big part of the weight loss diet as well.

I don't like the idea of discounting most herbs so quickly because "research" hasn't proven them effective. Herbs have been used for healing for centuries, long before big pharma came into being. I believe God put us on this Earth with everything we need to survive, and herbs and plants are a big part of that.

When I got halfway through the book, I found out the rest of the book was an appendix and charts. Remember that before you spend $19.99 on the Kindle version!!!

In this case, the old adage "Don't judge a book by its cover," is very true! The cover is quite deceiving.

I received a free ARC of this book from the publishers via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.

Was this review helpful?