The American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines

by Peirce, Andrea; Gans, John A.; Weil, Andrew

• ISBN13: 9780688161514
• ISBN10: 0688161510
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-03-03
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publications

Summary

Echinacea, ephedra, evening primrose oil...garlic, ginger, ginseng...St. John's wort, selenium, shark cartilage -- these are just a few of the natural medicines that millions of people are using. But do they work? Medical authorities often argue against them; alternative medicine advocates tout them. What's a consumer to do, while waiting for modern science to catch up with often ancient practices?Help is here, with The American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. This unique book from a trusted name in medicine rates the effectiveness and safety of more than three hundred natural substances, based on a careful assessment of the scientific research available. The alphabetically arranged listings include every substance readers are likely to want to know about -- and some they may not be familiar with, but should be.At a glance readers will learn the source of the substance, the forms in which it is commonly available, the claims made for it, and what scientific studies do (or don't) show about those claims. Known side effects and dangers are noted as well. A basic 1-to-5 rating scale ranks each substance. The highest rating is given to those substances with a great degree of safety and effectiveness based on "years of use and extensive, high-quality studies."Readers also learn how natural medicines are regulated and tested here and abroad, and do's and don'ts when selecting natural medicines. Special indexes organize the medicines according to those commonly used for various symptoms. Comprehensive and authoritative, featuring an introduction by best-selling medical authority Andrew T. Weil, M.D., The American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. is the reference to trust for anyone interested in natural medicines -- from the skeptic to the curious to the dedicated -- and promises to be the touchstone for consumers for years to come.

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS	vii	(4)
FOREWORD	xi	(2)
John A. Gans, Pharm.D.
INTRODUCTION	xiii	(2)
Andrew T. Weil, M.D.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: WHY USE NATURAL REMEDIES?	xv
Definitions, Standards, and Other Fundamentals	1	(4)
WHAT YOU GET IN A NATURAL MEDICINE	1	(1)
Is It an Herb? A Food? A Drug?	1	(1)
Herbal Medicine and Homeopathy: Critical Distinctions	2	(1)
REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS: STAYING IN TUNE WITH THE TIMES	2	(3)
How the United States Regulates Herbal Medicines	2	(1)
How Other Countries Regulate Herbal Medicines: The German Example	3	(1)
Applying Western Standards to Other Healing Traditions	4	(1)
Do's and Don'ts for Wise Consumers	5	(3)
How to Use This Book	8	(9)
SETTING YOUR OWN STANDARDS	8	(5)
Assessing Efficacy	8	(2)
Assessing Safety	10	(1)
The Rating System	12	(1)
WHAT YOU WILL FIND IN EACH LISTING	13	(4)
Natural Medicines and Their Common Uses: A Guide	17	(682)
INDEX OF SYMPTOMS	699	(12)
INDEX OF REMEDIES	711	(14)
APPENDIX A: SOURCES USED FOR COMPILING THE DOSAGE INFORMATION	725	(2)
APPENDIX B: SOURCES FREQUENTLY CONSULTED	727