Linda B. White - The Herbal Drugstore: The Best Natural Alternatives to Over-The-Counter and Prescription Medicines!

Linda B. White, M.D., holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from Stanford University and an M.D. from the University of California, San Diego. She is the author of Kids, Herbs, & Health and The Grandparent Book. She has written for many health publications, including Herbs for Health, Mothering, Nutrition Science News, and Natural Pharmacy.

Steven Foster, technical consultant to The Herbal Drugstore, is one of the most respected names in herbal health. He has written nine books on the subject including 101 Medicinal Herbs and Field Guide to Medicinal Plants (co-authored with James A. Duke, Ph.D.). A photographer and consultant specializing in medicinal plants, Foster lectures worldwide and serves on the advisory board of Herbs for Health magazine.

Notice

This book is intended as a reference volume only, not as a medical manual. The information given here is designed to help adults make informed decisions about their health. It is not intended as a substitute for any treatment that may have been prescribed by your doctor. You should consult your physician or a physician with expertise in herbs before treating yourself with herbs or mixing them with any medications. Women who are pregnant or are considering becoming pregnant or who are nursing should not use herbs or other medications without the approval of their doctors. If you suspect that you have a medical problem, we urge you to seek competent medical help.

2000 by Rodale Inc.

Illustrations by Interweave Press

First published 2000

First published in paperback 2003

First published as ebook 2013

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any mean, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any other information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher.

Herbs for Health is a trademark and the magazine is a publication of Herb Companion Press.

The chapters on Cervical Dysplasia, Endometriosis, Fibroids, Genital Warts, Herpes, Osteoporosis, Vaginal Infections, and Varicose Veins are adapted from Womens Health, Womens Herbs. 1998 by Christopher Hobbs, L.Ac., and Kathi Keville. Permission granted by Interweave Press.

are adapted from What the Labels Wont Tell You by Logan Chamberlain, Ph.D. 1998 by Interweave Press; adapted by permission.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

White, Linda B. (Linda Blachly)

The herbal drugstore : the best natural alternatives to over-the-counter & prescription medicines! / Linda B. White, M.D., Steven Foster, and the staff of Herbs for Health ; foreword by Michael Castleman.

p. cm.

Includes index.

eISBN-13 9781579547059 ebook

ISBN 1579541348 hardcover

ISBN 1579547052 paperback

1. HerbsTherapeutic use. I. Foster, Steven, 1957 II. Herbs for health. III. Title.

RM66.H33 W47 2000

615.321dc21 00035286

HERBS FOR HEALTH MAGAZINE

Linda Ligon, Editorial Director

Erika Lenz, Editor-in-Chief

Amy Baugh-Meyer, Assistant Editor

Kelli Rosen, Assistant Editor

Nancy Arndt, Production Editor

Lisa Fleck, Editorial Assistant

HERBS FOR HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD

Steven Foster, Lead Advisor

Mark Blumenthal

Logan Chamberlain, Ph.D.

James A. Duke, Ph.D.

Constance Grauds, R.Ph.

Mary Hardy, M.D.

Christopher Hobbs, L.Ac., A.H.G.

Rob McCaleb

Arthur O. Tucker, Ph.D.

Varro E. Tyler, Ph.D.

T HE HERBAL DRUGSTOREin particular, one medicinal herbchanged my life and my career.

More than 20 years ago, in the late 1970s, I was a young medical writer. At the time, medical writing meant mainstream, high-tech medicine, because in the American news media, that was pretty much all that existed. The alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, yoga, and meditation, were still in their infancy in this country, while herbal medicine was at the dawn of a renaissance after decades of neglect.

I felt open to medical alternatives, thanks in part to my grandmother, who was a big believer in the folk medicine of her native Ukraine. I learned to meditate, and enjoyed it. But professionally, I focused pretty much on mainstream medicine: heart bypass surgery, organ transplantation, and new drugs.

Meanwhile, for vacations, my wife and I headed to the Caribbean, where we fell in love with snorkeling, and in 1981, became certified scuba divers. We adored diving and went on week-long dive trips whenever we could. My wife had no problem on the small boats that ferried us out to the reefs, walls, and shipwrecks, but I became deathly seasick if the water was the least bit choppy. If youve ever been seasick, you know how horrible it can be. If you havent, pray that you never find out.