FOLK REMEDIES THAT WORK

John Wilen & Lydia Wilen                                            
Folk Remedies That Work contains an assortment of New Age as well as Age-Old health remedies.  Accordingly, Aroma Therapy and Gem Therapy, or Crystal Healing are included along with herb usage and mental imaging.  A journey through this comprehensive book will lead you to treatments for alcoholism, arthritis, eye ailments, headaches, and even sexual issues.  Some of these remedies seem to good to be true, but they apparently work

As an example, a cure that really does work is described here:  For Ringworm:, a common contagious fungal infection:  Just put a copper penny in vinegar until it turns green.  Then rub the penny on the ringworm at least three times a day until cured.

The book is loaded with referrals to more detailed information and it concludes with lists of resources, health related services, a short bibliography, and a comprehensive index.  The authors have compiled an impressive amount of material, very suitable as a reference work, in easily readable form with easy to find subjects.  The book, while really more suitable as a reference work, can, because of its easy readability, be enjoyed for its general interest..  Amazon has it!

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ODDBALL OINTMENTS, POWERFUL POTIONS,
& FABULOUS FOLK REMEDIES

A Jerry Baker Health Book by
Jean Karen Thomas

Long before modern medicine, prescription drugs and drug store chains with large displays of bottles and boxes of pre-manufactured products, the apothecary on the corner plied his trade, concocting ointments, potions, and powders from the readily available plants, minerals, and animal products.  These days, compounding pharmacists are scarce, and when they are available, strapped into legal restraints that effectively destroy their colorful beginnings.

Oddball Ointments brings together many of these old time remedies for the reader to try, or just to read about for the fun of it.  From Age Spots to Zits and just about every common ailment, folk remedies, tonics, teas, and ointments are offered as relief for the symptoms.  Interesting little tidbits and homey personal observations are scattered throughout the book, making this a very interesting read, even for those who would never try any of this stuff.

One shortcoming of this book is the absence of information on identifying the plants cited in the remedies.  The average reader, like me, doesn't know what they look like or where to find them.  Other than that though, it's a fun read.  Betty...

CLASSIC YOGA FOR FITNESS AND RELAXATION

Vilma Lalvani

We've looked at a lot of books on Yoga before deciding to include this one in our Review Section.  The book is a classic in simplicity and range of coverage.  It's the perfect book for the beginner and a great compliment to the instruction available to those who subscribe to  Wai Lana Yoga  for instruction materials and equipment.  

Written in a way anyone can follow, this slender 125 page book wastes no time in getting into the "meat" of the subject.  From the introduction to the final exercise, you learn the why and how of each position.  Starting with the warmup, Classic Yoga is divided into a 3-step the author identifies as "Course One," "Course Two," and "Course Three."  

A well presented photo accompanies each step of every exercise, along with a short explanation for each position.  As you progress through the book, the exercises progress too, becoming difficult to nearly impossible for anyone failing to begin at the beginning and faithfully executing the assignments leading up to them.  For those giving up in mid-stream, not to despair.  This book is so elegantly printed, it will look great on the coffee table.  Available from Amazon

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HERBAL DEFENSE

Robin Landis, with
Karta Purka & Singh Khalsa

Ayurvedic Medicine is at the heart of this book.  Herbal Defense outlines and explains in easily readable terms, ways of getting well and staying well through the healing powers of proper diet and supplemental herbs, using Ayurvedic Medicine as the foundation of your health.  The authors stress the need for taking herbal medicine and applying it to your lifestyle.  They're  very  convincing  in their argument  that herbs need to be used to fit together with  a person's diet, exercise levels, stress management and other factors.

I was especially pleased to run across their definition and explanation of the differences, pros and cons, of traditional medicine, herbal medicine, naturopathic medicine, homeopathic medicine,  and integrative medicine.  If you've ever been puzzled by these terms and their differences, this book is well worth a read.

Some of the other topics covered are about herbs for special applications, such as for heart, immune system, and the skin. 

There's a section just for men; covering natural healing over a lifetime, and another just like it for women.  There is a special section for babies and children.

If you've ever wondered about which herbs to use together and which to avoid, or just how to use them at all, then here are your answers.  And they're not bashful about telling us to use herbs with caution and respect, staying away from indiscriminate and uninformed usage. 

Robin Landis knoow whereof she speaks.  She used herbs to take herself from persistent sickliness as a child and young person in her twenties to a spectacular recovery and her present robust health

I liked the resource ad reference lists at the back of the book, but found myself wishing for an alphabetical listing of the herbs discussed and the specific uses for each.   Available from Amazon.   

And if you can't wait to get more information on herbal supplements, there is a really great website that is absolutely chock full of information and literally overflowing with products  that will knock your socks off.  These herbal remedies are so carefully thought out and formulated under such stringent conditions, priced so very reasonably, we often wonder how they can stay in business.  But they do.  Sometimes doing the right thing does pay off, in the long run, and these people are obviously in this for keeps.  Click Here for Proven, Effective and Safe Natural Remedies

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