Professional's Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines

Best alternative medicine book I have read so far. I have a whole bookcase full of herbal books and this is the number one book. The book does not have any photos for identification. Of course, that is not the intent of the book. It is mainly written to show the chemically active ingredients of herbs. This to me is important.

One of a kind! Awesome to help your patient who are interested more in witchcraft than medication and would like you to know your opinion. Also great to change your patient mind by reading the side effect section of what they are consuming. Very happy with this purchase

I really enjoyed this book as the textbook for continuing education. It gives a lot of information that is very useful, and it is very well organized -- following the same format for each herbal originating plant. Although all of the book was not required for my class, I will definitely read most parts of the rest of the book because it is so interesting and useful.

I am very pleased with the books, my friend and I gave to other people as gifts as well and using for our own personal use.

The book arrived fine, in very good used condition. I had wanted it to get information on the nephrotoxicity of various antioxidants, and it wasn't specific enough for that, but that was not the fault of the seller.

In day to day practice I probably refer to this book as much as many others combined: in our oncology centre about 40-60% of patients are using some form of alternative medicine.This book is better than the others I own (Mills phytotherapy, the german commission E monographs, Yang Chinese herbal medicines).This book is not intended as a prescription guide, but it is superb for evaluating a given preparation. It provides a quick summary of over 300 compounds: an introduction covering forms, components, actions and reported uses as well as standard dosing. This is followed by adverse reactions, interactions and precautions together with a commentary. This is where this little book stands out.My only disappointment with the book has been when the compound of interest does not appear within its covers: a lot is crammed into 800 odd pages though. However each edition has increased its coverage (so should you upgrade your edition: yes!!).

If you are looking for a reason to tell a patient not to use any alternative medicine, this is your book. If, however, you'd like a book on safe and effective alternative medicine, as the title suggests, you will be disappointed. This text appears to be funded by one or more pharmaceutical interest. When studies that support the efficacy of a particular therapy are actually mentioned, they are later brought into question. However, even the most anecdotal negative study will be highlighted. The message of this book is: There is no alternative medicine. Sadly, there seems to be no source that will fairly assess the risks and the rewards of alternative therapy. Keep looking.

A very handy and competently written handbook. I was just using it today and thought I would update my copy with the new edition - then discovered there is no new edition. The third edition (2004) is so far the latest. I wonder why!