alternative and holistic

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the author's detailed and thoughtful exploration and evidence-based approach to an area that had been very confusing for me. I also appreciate the information about the spiritual implications of the more common alternative medicine practices. Quite honestly, in order to attempt to keep up with the volumes of evidence-based information that seems to grow daily in conventional medicine, I have largely avoided becoming more informed in the arena of alternative medicine. However, rarely a week goes by that I am not asked by my patients about some herbal treatment, alternative therapy or new "miracle remedy". In the past my approach has been to explain that most of these therapies are relatively untested. After reviewing with them any obvious interactions that I am aware of, I would explain that if they seem to feel better, the choice was up to them. I could not recommend one way or the other. This has bothered me but without a reliable resource of plainly and concisely written EVIDENCE-BASED information I felt the task was simply too time consuming and overwhelming. After reading this well written handbook I am convinced that this is a book that will have a prominent place on my office bookshelf and will be used frequently. I have already used it to answer questions that patients, colleagues and friends have presented in recent weeks. I have and will recommend it to my colleagues and patients. I especially appreciate the concise, honest and open reviews of the history and theories behind conventional and alternative medicine therapies. As a Christian physician I also appreciate the reviews of danger areas in alternative medicine therapies that might otherwise seem innocent to the uninformed observer. I am thankful to Drs. Mathuna and Larimore for their clear, concise, scientific, Biblical and easy to use reference guide. I highly recommend it to both medical practitioners and patients.

The best part of Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook is the reasoned, compassionate tone used by the authors. This resource doesn't "bash" viewpoints that some would consider suspect or even "way out there." Instead, there is genuine respect for differing perspectives and an attempt to cogently and carefully explain the origins of health treatments that are often misunderstood by western readers. The usability of this book is another strong plus. Anyone can pick it up and within seconds find that specific topic that they've been hoping to research. Better still, the authors have thoroughly reviewed all relevant documentation instead of choosing to rely on anecdotal evidence which is always highly suspect. This kind of objectivity makes Alternative Medicine a key reference for anyone from a physician to the person trying to figure out how to sleep better at night, feel more energy in the morning or think clearer during their waking hours! Finally, this book speaks with authority to readers concerned over the spiritual as well as physical side of life. It doesn't purport to have all the answers neatly boxed with a bow, but it does give real direction for sincere seekers. This is an invaluable resource, which, because of the depth of detail, will enjoy a long and useful shelf life.

I had to give this book 2 stars for the parts which explain what alternative therapies are and what the philosophies are behind each one. And I also do respect the point of view taken by the writers, being medical doctors, that they cannot approve of something that has not been thoroughly tested and proven to work in the same way Western medicine is tested before being approved.

However, this is not the only way to view such remedies. Many of the remedies they examined have been used with success for thousands of years in Eastern medicine or primitive cultures that are not dominated by modern medicine. Natural remedies work very differently than modern medicines, so that you will not get the same types of results you would expect from scientific testing. Modern medicine does not understand things like balancing the chakras or equalizing the yin-yang in a person, which is much different than the pathology-based theories that modern doctors operate on.

Spiritually speaking, I did not appreciate the point of view in this book. It seems to indicate that Christians should be spiritually paranoid, which I think is a mistake. There is wisdom to be gained in such ancient things that we need not fear, as long as we are not worshipping other gods or being led estray to follow other doctrines. Many Christians do turn to alternative remedies when modern medicine fails them, or they want something more natural to heal them. And the spiritual aspects of those methods don't bother them anymore than the spiritual aspects of modern medicine (everything has an underlying philosophy, even Western medicine).

For my part, I have seen and experienced the positive effects of using natural remedies, and I found this book to be mostly negative in its anlysis rather than helpful, and I think it writes off many remedies which many people are finding quite helpful.