Herbal Defense: Positioning Yourself to Triumph Over Illness and Aging

"While not as popular as some (for whatever reason), and certainly not as pricey, Herbal Defense is chocked to the brim with useful information. The authors certainly believe firmly in natural healing, with years of experience between them, concentrating more on preventive medicine over curing. Reading works such as this loans you confidence and reassurance in natural remedies - thank God - instead of scaring you off or subtly hinting herbs may be good for you like some watered-down books out there.

Focused more on Ayurveda but incorporating just as much with Western medicine, so that all parties can learn and enjoy, various herbs are discussed with folklore, personal usage, and studies/research. Several formula combinations are given, as well as details on different body conditions, such as depression and the immune system. In fact, the main emphasis of Herbal Defense seems to BE the immune system, all about increasing your stamina and making yourself healthy enough to combat just about anything. Special chapters are also devoted to children, men, women, cleansing, skin, energy, and other body systems.

The authors devotion to herbs is shown even clearer in one of my favorite segments, "Urban Myths and Sidewalk Talk", where Landis discusses the current comfrey controversy, the issues with licorice root and high blood pressure, ephedra made to look bad because of incorrect use, and more. Supplements and exercise are mentioned as complimentary therapy to herbal aide, in a straight forward, concise, reliable manner.

Herbal Defense enjoys sharing their views on the flaws of scientific studies, the dangers of relying too much on objective science and supposably objective scientists, using your own head to decipher through the garbage and see what's real, and of course on the history of herbalism and Ayurvedic medicine itself. There are charts to help show you where you fall and various eating recommendations for your body type.

Not short and sweet in any way, this book is more than enough for a beginner or advanced herbalist looking to relax with an informative companion. Witty, smart, strong, and intelligent, it's a great book that shouldn't be as overlooked as it is. If there are flaws, it's that in my opinion Landis isn't right on using pills over other herbal preparations because of their convenience, but hey, we all make our own paths."
~ Written on 2006-07-25

"I've spent fifteen years of my life studying nutrition. I've done many forms of natural/nutritional/herbal/homeopathy practices. In those 15 years I have achieve much success, which includes being cured from a rare incurable disease. This required a lot of studying and reading of sound books on these subjects.

Concerning this book, I feel that I've been sucker into paying $50.00 for a book that is more about advertising then about information on healing. I've brought books that are far more valuble and informational at a fraction of the price of this book. when I look at the author, I'm not convince that he is all that healthy. The book has some merits, but not enough to be worth over $6.00.

I'm 46 years of age and my wife is 24. she and her family are absolutely stun on how young I look. My wife is 5 months pregnant and I have her on a natural/nutritional/organic diet and she is in outstanding physical and mental health, suffering none of the problems that is experience by nearly all women. Achieving this requires reading, studying and application. Not Schultze medicine as advertized in this book.

If you are new to nutrition and health this book does have merit. For those of you who have experiece in nutrition, you are wasting your money buying this book. Don't let the price fool you!"
~ Written on 2006-06-01

"This book is a great "ground floor" place to start. It deals with the basics very well and in an easy to read fashion. I only gave it 4 stars because I didn't care for the attitude and polemic against "western medicine" and the pro-vegetarian push seemed a rather straw man arguement to me. I do believe that a beginner would get a great deal of use from the book."
~ Written on 2001-08-15

"A most enjoyable book! >I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is full of information on >health, medicine and herbs. It is really worth buying and reading it >thoroughly. I am reading it for the third time at the moment and am still >enjoying this title. The emphasis is on prevention, not on curing. One of >the best books on the subject I have ever read."
~ Written on 2000-07-26

"Probably the most illuminating book on preventative health care for the average person that I have read. It's a must read, especially for those of us who want to minimize the effects of aging and illiness!"
~ Written on 1998-11-17