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GUIDE TO
An easy-to-use
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natural health care
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.. © Martha Schindler Connors with Larry Altshuler, MD
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THE
WERYTHING
GUIDE TO
HERBAL
REMEDIES
An easy-to-use reference for natural health care
Martha Schindler Connors with Larry Altshuler, MD
Pe icine edia
Avon, Massachusetts
This book is dedicated to my husband, Don, who is my
inspiration in all things (including herbs).
Copyright © 2009 by F+W Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced
in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions
are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.
An Everything® Series Book.
Everything® and everything.com® are registered trademarks of F+W Media, Inc.
Published by Adams Media, a division of F+W Media, Inc.
57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322 U.S.A.
www.adamsmedia.com
ISBN 10: 1-59869-988-1
ISBN 13: 978-1-59869-988-3
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is available from the publisher.
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the
subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in ren-
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required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.
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sult your physician before adopting the suggestions in this book, as well as about any condition that
may require diagnosis or medical attention. The author and publisher disclaim any liability arising
directly or indirectly from the use of this book.
Contents
Top Ten Ways to Ease Herbs into Your
Health Care Routine / x
Introduction / xi
What Is Herbal Medicine? / 1
The History of Herbal Healing 2 ¢ Principles and Traditions 3 ¢ The
Chemistry of Plants 4 ¢ The Evolution of Herbal Medicine 7 « How
Herbs Can Complement Conventional Medicine 8 ¢ Other Healing
(Herbal) Modalities 10 * Healing Foods 12 ¢ Why Herbal Medicine
Works 14
Herbs and Their Actions / 16
Types of Herbs 17 ¢ Tonics and Adaptogens 17 ¢ Analgesics: Natural
Pain Relief 20 ¢ Fighting Inflammation 21 ¢ Infection-Fighting
Antimicrobials 22 ¢ Herbal Antioxidants 23 ¢ Herbs to Aid Digestion
24 ¢ Natural Cough Relief 26 ¢ Sedatives and Stimulants 28 « Mood
Boosters 29
Herbs for Women / 30
Women Are Different 31 ¢ Herbs for Women’s Health 31 ¢ Breast
Health 33 e Menstrual Issues 36 ¢ Female-Specific Infections 37 «
Sexual Health and Fertility 40 * Pregnancy 41 * Menopause 43
Herbs for Men / 46
Men Are Different 47 ¢ Men's Herbalism 48 ¢ Sexual Functioning 50 e
Fertility and Infertility 51 ¢ Prostate Health 52 ¢ Sleep Problems 54
THE EVERYTHING GUIDE TO HERBAL REMEDIES
Older Adults / §6
Living Longer—and Better? 57 ¢ Seniors and Health 58 ¢ Cardiovascular
Concerns 59 ¢ Maintaining Your Vision 62 ¢ Healthy Bones and Joints
65 ¢ Keeping Your Mind Sharp 67
Caring for Kids / 70
Children and Herbal Remedies 71 * Common Kids’ Concerns 71
e Bringing Up Baby 73 e Children’s Skin Conditions 75 ¢ Tips for
Toddlers 76 ¢ Emotional and Behavioral Problems 78 ¢ Kids, Colds,
and Flu 80 ¢ Other Childhood Infections 81 ¢ The Grade School Years
83 ¢ Teenagers 85
Chronic Diseases and Conditions / 87
The Problem of Chronic Disease 88 ¢ How Herbs Can Help 89
Cardiovascular Disease 90 © The Epidemic of Diabetes 93 ¢ Liver
Disease 95 ¢ Cancer 97 ¢ “Mystery” Diseases 100
Treating Aches and Pains / 103
The Anatomy of an Injury 104 ¢ Herbal Helpers 105 ¢ Chronic
Inflammation 107 ¢ Back Pain 108 ¢ Muscle Aches, Sprains, and
Strains 110 ¢ Headaches 111
Taming Allergies and Asthma / 114
What's Behind the Symptoms? 115 e The Allergic Response 116 e
Allergic Rhinitis 117 ¢ Skin Allergies 119 ¢ Food Allergies 122
e Asthma 124
Managing Psychological and Emotional Issues / 127
A Complex Problem 128 ¢ The Mind/Body Connection 129 e
Conventional Versus Herbal Treatment 130 ¢ Handling Stress 131
e Halting Anxiety 132 ¢ Depression and Other Mood Disorders 133
Attention Difficulties 135 ¢ Alcohol and Other Addictions 136
—cawvV— i
OO
Improving Digestion / 139
The Details of Digestion 140 ¢ Acid Indigestion and Heartburn 140 e
Ulcers 142 ¢ Gas and Flatulence 144 ¢ Constipation 145 e Diarrhea
147 * Nausea and Vomiting 149 ¢ Food Intolerances 150 ¢ Chronic
Digestive Disorders 151
Strengthening Immunity / 153
Immunity and the Immune Response 154 ¢ Immune Function and
Disease 155 ¢ Herbs: Your Immune System’s Best Friend 156 ¢ Sneezes,
Sniffles, and Sore Throats 157 ¢ Common Viral Infections 159 e
Bacterial Infections 161 ¢ Fungal! Infections 163 ¢ Immunodeficiency
Disorders 165
The Herbal Medicine Cabinet / 167
Buildai Bnetgte r Medicine Chest 168 ¢ Pain Relievers 168 ¢ Better Cold
and Flu Remedies 169 ¢ Tummy Treatments 170 ¢ Preventing Sunburns
171 ¢ Beating Sleeplessness 173 © Soothing Skin Inflammation 174 e
Oral Care 175
Emergencies and First Aid / 177
Hurry! Do Something! 178 ¢ Herbal Alternatives 180 ¢ Bumps and
Bruises 181 e Burns and Sunburns 182 ¢ The Travails of Travel 183
e Scrapes, Cuts, and Other Abrasions 186 e Sprains and Strains 187 e
Itching and Scratching 188
Self-Care and Beauty / 191
How Herbs Can Help Your Looks 192 ¢ Healthy Hair 101 193 ¢ Basic—
and Better—Hair Care 194 ¢ Coloring and Styling 195 ¢ Dealing with
Dandruff 197 © Too Oily? Too Dry? 199 ¢ Halting Hair Loss 200 ¢
Acne and Oily Skin 202 ¢ Saving Face 204
THE EVERYTHING GUIDE TO HERBAL REMEDIES
Diet, Exercise, and Weight Management / 207
Weight (and Overweight) 208 * You Do the Math 210 ¢ Herbs for
Weight Loss 212 ¢ Building Strength and Endurance 213 ¢ Energy to
Burn 215 ¢ Herbs and a Healthy Diet 217
Safety and Efficacy / 220
Regulation: Who's Minding the (Herb) Store? 221 ¢ What Is—and
Isn't—on the Label 222 ¢ Research and Scientific Proof 224 ¢ The
Question of Standardization 226 * Medical Concerns 228 © Special
Groups 230 ¢ Actions and Interactions 232 ¢ The Issues of Allergies
238 © How to Stay Safe 238
Putting Herbs to Work / 240
How Herbs Are Sold 241 ¢ Many Considerations 242 * Know What the
Pros Know 243 ¢ Smart Shopping 245 ¢ Working with a Professional
247 ® Putting the Pieces Together 249 © Practical Advice 251
Making Your Own Herbal Remedies / 253
Homemade Healing 254 ¢ Therapeutic Teas 255 ¢ Sweet-Tasting
Syrups 259 ¢ Tinctures 260 ¢ Infused Oils and Ointments 262 e
Beauty Blends 264
Appendix A: Common Health Concerns / 267
Appendix B: Popular Herbs A-Z / 275
Appendix C: Additional Resources / 287
Index / 288
