Editors at Readers Digest - Doctors Favorite Natural Remedies: The Safest and Most Effective Natural Ways to Treat More Than 85 Everyday Ailments

WELCOME TO Doctors Favorite Natural Remedies , a comprehensive guide to the natural remedies and therapies that really work to improve your health and well-being. With an emphasis on holistic health, we compiled a list of common everyday ailments and set about finding the most effective natural remedies, based on medical science and traditional usage. There were many to choose from and we hope that you will find the final selection helpful, enlightening and interesting. Youll find well-known favorites, such as garlic and ginger, acupuncture and Pilates, along with less obvious yet powerful remedies such as laughter and dancing.

As our consultant, Professor Marc Cohen, explains in the introduction, wellness is made up of several elements, including emotional, physical and mental health. By looking at the bigger picture of what is going on in your life, you may find that simple changes to your lifestylesuch as tackling stress or quitting smokingcan produce big results. Your diet, too, plays a significant role in keeping your body fueled and healthy. This is why for each ailment, we begin with some general advice on diet and lifestyle.

Next we have provided a list of suggested remedies. We chose them from the hundreds available based on the most proven and medically approved for the particular ailment. They are the sorts of remedies a doctor would prescribe. Most have a long history of traditional use that is gradually being backed up by science; some are more modern and have emerged from recent research. As we compiled the book, there were remedies that came up time and time again for numerous ailments. For example, two of the most commonly referenced remedies are sleep and exercise. It seems that most people dont get enough of either. Simply improving your sleeping habits and taking up regular exercise will do wonders for your general health.

When deciding to go down the route of natural therapies, the choice can be overwhelming. Every day, an article on the Internet or in a newspaper reports on the latest new remedy or wonder herbbut how can you be sure that what you are reading is trustworthy? Well, weve done the research for you. We have selected the remedies based on how effective they are. Many have scientific studies to support them, while the traditional remedies have a significant history of safe usage behind them.

Holistic health requires you to take charge of your health and well-being. This book provides a sensible and balanced approach to the world of natural remedies. We hope that it will provide you with many paths to wellness and a happier and healthier life.

THE EDITORS

DOCTORS FAVORITE NATURAL REMEDIES is a guide to the best natural remedies for common health problems. Some have a long and respected traditional use, while many are backed up by modern science. They include the most effective healing therapies, nutritional supplements and home remedies availableall presented in an easy-to-read format.

The first section of the book lists common ailments with a wide range of entries from acne to memory problems and warts. Each ailment is briefly described followed by a list of suggested natural remedies. You will also find general advice on dietary measures and lifestyle factors that can play a big part in preventing or remediating an ailment. The Quick fix feature offers a remedy that may bring instant relief, while the Did you know? feature provides snippets of additional useful or intriguing information connected to the ailment. Occasionally, a Watch out! box warns of a potential hazard to avoid.

A TO Z OF AILMENTS Each ailment has a list of suggested remedies. Use the page references to find the remedies in the second half of the book.

In the second section of the book, we have listed the natural remedies and treatments in alphabetical order by common name. Readers will find a diversity of treatments, therapies, herbs and nutritional supplements. For each remedy there is information on its origins and how it works, followed by information on how it should be used. The Safety first feature reminds readers of important safety issues associated with the remedy and Where to find tells readers the best place to access the remedy.

A TO Z OF REMEDIES Everything you need to know about a remedy at a glance, from how it works to where you can buy it.

CAUTION!

This book is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. Some natural remedies are not suitable for people under certain circumstances, or may interact with prescription medications. If you suffer from a diagnosed illness, are taking prescribed medicines, or are pregnant or breast-feeding, talk to your doctor before using any natural remedy. While the creators of this book have made every effort to be as accurate as possible, medical and pharmacological knowledge is constantly changing. Readers are advised to consult a qualified medical professional for individual advice. The writers, researchers, editors and publishers of this book cannot be held liable for any errors, omissions or actions that may be taken as a consequence of information contained in this book.

Herbal remedies and nutritional supplements should be viewed as medicines and as such there are some common sense guidelines to keep in mind:

Unless otherwise stated, the remedies are intended for adult use. Extra caution should be taken when treating babies and children and you should seek specific advice from your doctor or other trained health practitioner.

Always keep supplements and herbal remedies out of reach of children.

Never take essential oils internally.

Before taking a new remedy, ask your doctor or pharmacist about possible interactions with other medications you are taking.

If you experience any uncomfortable symptoms after taking a remedy, discontinue use and seek medical assistance as appropriate.

Shop carefully, choosing reputable brands.

Where we have used illustrations to depict an exercise sequence, please note that the pictures are for guidance only. It is best to seek instruction from a qualified practitioner.