From:
Sukie Crandall
Date: 2001-04-09 20:12:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Champ Update / Herbal Remedies
>Herbals & Supplements: I see a lot of people jumping on herbal remedies
>for illnesses. Please do your own research. I believe herbal remedies and
>supplements have their place but don't assume the person recommending a
>specific herb or supplement has done his/her homework. And, don't assume
>that it's safe simply because you can go out and buy it
...
>A good "starter" herbal book is Today's Herbal Health - The Essential
>Reference Guide by Louise Tenney, M.H. (Master Herbalist).
>
>Off my soapbox now.
>Katharine
Excellent points! Also very good are the two books which Varro Tyler
co-wrote for Haworth Herbal Press. Personally, I most love a third
text: the _PDR for Herbal Medicines_; the second edition is SO much
better than the first. It was neat looking up saw palmetto to find
the more recent info on anti-estrogenic, anti-androgenic, and
anti-inflammatory effects when that topic came up. it differed
greatly from what had earlier been thought to possibly be the actions
involved. I have gotten to the point where I simply won't even
consider any herbal book that doesn't al;so include
contraindications, precautions, etc. as part of the info given. One
reality of life is that anything strong enough to heal is also so
very often strong enough to do harm.