The Healing Power of Herbs: The Enlightened Person's Guide to the Wonders of Medicinal Plants

by Michael T. Murray

If you don't believe the 80% of the world's population who depend on herbal remedies to treat common ailments, there is now a wealth of scientific research to substantiate the claims. If used properly, herbal medicine is powerful, effective and simple. THE HEALING POWER OF HERBS draws on scientific research to corroborate what many have known for herbs are the key to a longer, more healthful life. Inside you will find a directory to 37 common medicinal plants along with recommendations for treating 34 common health problems.

• How licorice can be used to heal canker sores
• How ginkgo biloba can be used to delay the effects of Alzheimer's disease
• How garlic can be used to improve cholesterol levels
• How green tea can be used to help prevent cancer
• How bromelain can be used to heal athletic injuries

Genres: Health, Nonfiction

432 pages, Hardcover

First published January 6, 1992

About the author

Dr. Murray is one of the world’s leading authorities on natural medicine. He has published over 30 books featuring natural approaches to health. His research into the health benefits of proper nutrition is the foundation for a best-selling line of dietary supplements from Natural Factors, where he is Director of Product Development. He is a graduate, former faculty member, and serves on the Board of Regents of Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington.

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always reading.

[Jennifer Ritchie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tons of information here, straightforward and scientific and well-organized. A lot of books about herbs will start saying weird things like “herbs infused in moonlight are extra magical,” or they’ll attempt to back up a claim that a certain herb has antimicrobial properties by saying, “Doctors used this during the Civil War to prevent gangrene in soldiers’ wounds.” Not the kind of thing that really inspires confidence.

This book is totally different. It includes a lot of advanced chemistry terms as it analyzes the chemical constituents of the various plants and explains their pharmacology, and it even includes the chemical diagrams of some of the plants’ main chemical components. There are tons of citations of studies in which the plants’ therapeutic properties were tested, as well as information on dosage and toxicity. The only real drawback is the fact that the book is 30 years old, so any recent research is naturally not included.

[Helen Fleischer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished the explanatory text, the rest is reference, for which it will be kept.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The information is wonderful, I just wish it was a little more comprehensive. Like 10 times bigger should do the trick ;)

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book but I'm not how he chose which herbs and conditions to include.

[hissi · Rating 5 out of 5]

very informative