To Herb or Not To Herb.....That is the question.

I just bought this book (6/2004) and finished scanning it, as well as looking up some information for a patient of mine. Even though this book was published 4 years ago, it is still very up-to-date, with the exception of reference to HRT, which train of thought was dramatically changed after the WHI study results! This book is easy to read and has at-a-glance reference to help deal with those hard-to-answer herbal questions patients always manage to hit me with. I like the fact that it is evidence-based and cites sound research, as well as questioning biased study results. Provides information on some herbs that I had a hard time locating reliable information about on the internet. Not the end-all-be-all book on herbal supplements, but truly worth having on the reference shelf!

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Evidenced Based Medicine

Dr. DiPaola points out two of the downfall of herbal or complimentary / alternative medicines (CAM's). (1) This book directly points out the fact that few quality studies have been performed to conclusively determine that such supplement are both safe and effective. Most studies probably do no more then create another question to be studied. (2) Indirectly, this book shouts the need to begin quality studies in this area of CAM's to determine their efficacy, value and safety in the thousands of people who think that they are helping themselves at an extraordinary cost.
I think it is encouraging to get a physician perspective who understands the interpretation of medical literature and works in a field where there is a tremendous use of CAM's but patients are afraid to tell their doctors. Hopefully, this book will bridge a gap between the "hype" and the skepticism about CAM's in the lay press and the medical community. I hope that these patients haven't been doing more harm than good by taking these CAM's and not seeing a doctor when appropriate. "First, do no harm."
Thank you Dr. DiPaola.
Sincerely,
R.Ph., B.C.O.P.

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Overview

As noted in the prior reviews, this book
helps the consumer understand what a real solid scientific
study consists of (in the introduction) and what solid
scientific studies say about these products, as told from
a physician who both cares for patients medically and performs
solid research, published in the best journals. The only thing worse then selling, or even prescribing, an herbal product without a scientific study to back it up, is selling or prescribing a product based on poorly conducted studies, which may mislead the consumer. Making premature conclusions based on poor studies that are wrong happens all too much with herbal products. This is unfair to consumers looking for the real truth for themselves and their family. This book is critical in many areas, but is not afraid the truth about these products, some of which should be thrown away or kept away from our children. The reader will come away with a real understanding of herbal products and supplements.

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