The Herbal Drugstore: The Best Natural Alternatives to over-the-Counter and Prescription Medicines Book

Readers may find the term herbal drugstore an oxymoron. But just as conventional drugstores carry prescription drugs and products for skin care, hair care, and even pet care, hundreds of manufacturers are now distributing herbal remedies and treatments for these same ailments and needs. "And just as a conventional drugstore can be a bewildering place, competing herbal products can leave you confused as to what to buy," according to authors Linda B. White, M.D. (Kids, Herbs, Health: A Parents' Guide to Natural Remedies) and Steven Foster (101 Medicinal Herbs: An Illustrated Guide). "We created this book to be your guide to an ever-growing herbal marketplace."

They deliver even more than they promise. This is one of the most comprehensive and well-written herbal guidebooks available. The opening pages are devoted to important discussions about herb usage, including safety tips (such as never giving herbs to children younger than 2 years old without your doctor's approval), dosage information, and how to make your own herbal remedies. It has a quick-glance chart of familiar ailments, along with a listing of commonly used drugs and herbal alternatives. (For instance, according to the chart, bladder infections are routinely treated with antibiotics, but numerous herbal remedies exist, including bearberry, cranberry, goldenseal, goldenrod, and Oregon grape root.)

The meat of the book, however, is devoted to an alphabetized listing of ailments as well as extensive discussions of herbal remedies, dosages, and ongoing treatments. For example, under "sinus infection," readers will find a list of symptoms, a sympathetic write-up about the causes and different kinds of infections, and a list of numerous herbs and treatments, from echinacea to the Chinese herb astragalus. Entries address minor ailments such as a hangover to serious diseases like diabetes and Parkinson's disease. The book closes with a thorough index and a listing of manufacturers that sell herbs. Without a doubt, this is the book for treating common ailments with herbs. Anyone interested in exploring alternatives to prescription drugs will find safe and sound advice within these informative pages. --Gail Hudson