Complete wellness

As interest in holistic health and alternative therapies continues to grow, so does the need for reliable information about appropriate use. The authors of this book are alternative-health practitioners affiliated with Neal's Yard Remedies, a British company. The book begins with an introduction to holistic health and continues with chapters devoted to specific organs and systems: eyes and ears, circulation, etc. Each chapter includes information about remedies and treatments that help to treat conditions and maintain general health. These include herbs, essential oils, foods, aromatherapy, and treatments such as massage, acupuncture, and meditation. The pages are illustrated with drawings of herbs as well as text boxes with tips on using them. There are detailed instructions for preparing teas, infusions, extracts, decoctions, syrups, poultices, creams, and balms. Recipes for therapeutic foods and instructions for safe use of all the remedies make the book very useful. There are chapters devoted to men's, women's, and children's health as well as a chapter on first aid. A detailed index makes it easy to find specific therapies. The resource list is brief and limited to alternative-health websites; readers should visit the website of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health at the National Institutes of Health for evidence-based resources. This is a comprehensive, accessible source for public and consumer-health libraries.--Barbara Bibel Copyright 2019 Booklist