Alternative Health Resources

The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. c2005.

Four volume, comprehensive guide to all areas of alternative and complementary treatments. Also available online in Gale Virtual Reference Library. Includes many websites and journal articles for further research, lots of pictures.

Alternative Health and Medicine Encyclopedia. 1998.

An excellent introduction. First chapter has brief overviews of major alternative therapies; succeeding chapters address such concerns as nutrition, exercise, botanicals, the immune system and stress. There are also chapters on using alternative therapies to address dental problems, male and female health concerns, mental health, cancer, heart disease, and aging. Each chapter has an extensive list of additional sources in magazines journals, books and the Web.

Alternative Medicine Sourcebook. 2002.

Probably EPL’s most complete and balanced source on alternative health. Excellent overviews of the history and theory behind alternative medical systems (acupuncture, ayurveda, homeopathy, naturopathy); mind-body interventions (biofeedback, hypnosis); dietary interventions; and others, including art, music and dance therapy; massage, qigong, and reflexology. Special chapter on alternative cancer treatment. Great resource lists, including organizations and websites.

Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide. 2002.

Another encyclopedic work on alternative health, covering many therapies omitted from other sources (enzyme therapy, chelation, orthomolecular medicine, etc.) Solidly pro-alternative and anti-medical establishment. Thorough index, and lots of suggested sources.

The Alternative Advisor: The Complete Guide to Natural Therapies and Alternative Treatments. 1997.

A guide for patients. Many illustrations, (of yoga techniques, pressure points and acupoints, botanicals). Therapies covered include apitherapy, ayurvedic, flower medicine, hydrotherapy, light therapy, and various kinds of bodywork. The common ailments section recommends various herbal, nutritional and other alternative therapies for such conditions as diabetes, ulcers, menstrual problems, cancer, etc. Does not have as good a bibliography as other sources.

The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Alternative Healing Therapies. 1999.

Gives background and history on many therapies, divided into "energy therapies," "physical therapies," and "mind and spirit therapies." Includes a brief section recommending therapies for specific conditions. No bibliography, but includes a list of organizations.

Encyclopedia of Healing Therapies.

Another general guide for patients. Less informative than other sources in this section.

The Gale Encyclopedia Of Medicine. 2002.

Although this is a general medical encyclopedia, it has excellent articles on ayurvvedic medicine, massage, acupuncture and other healing therapies, and good current bibliographies and lists of websites and organizations. Search online in Gale Virtual Reference Library

The Drug and Natural Medicine Advisor: The Complete Guide to Alternative and Conventional Medications. 1997.

One of the few sources to include both conventional pharmaceuticals as well as homeopathic, vitamin, and herbal remedies. Each remedy has a one page profile describing its origins, uses, history, side effects, drug interactions, and other precautions, (for nursing mothers, children, diabetics, etc.). Remedies are classified as either aromatherapy, Chinese medicine, homeopathy, nutritional supplements, over-the-counter drugs, prescription drugs, vitamins and minerals, or western herbs.

Foods That Harm, Foods That Heal. 1997.

General guide to nutrition. Has chapters on herbal medicine, organic food and on nutritional aspects of various conditions: hay fever, diverticulitis, Crohn’s, hyperactivity, menopause etc.

The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia. 1999.

Good descriptions of health values of foods. Includes an appendix of ayurvedic food guidelines. Use the index to find foods which help specific health conditions.

PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1998.

The Physician’s Desk Reference is the standard source for information on prescription drugs. This version profiles herbal remedies with the same degree of detail. There’s a cross-reference between scientific and popular drug and plant names, a table of drug/herb interactions, and color photos of herbs in their wild state. Entries on each herb describe appearance, which parts of the plant are used medicinally, what compounds or chemicals it contains, how it should and should not be used, and any recausiotn sor contraindications. There’s also an extensive source list for each remedy. See also the Physician’s Desk Reference Database, and Alt HealthWatch.

Suggested Subject Headings:

Databases and Other On-line SourcesMedical Dictionary.

Ask NOAH About: Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Created by New York Online Access to Health (NOAH), this is a reliable guide to informative websites about alternative therapies.

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Part of the National Institutes of Health, the NCAM supports research on alternative medicine, and provides information to the public.

HerbMed

An online PDR for herbal medicine. Includes research reports and clinical trials.

Alternative Medicine Foundation

Provides consumers and professionals with evidence-based information on the integration of alternative and conventional medicine.

Quackwatch

Site maintained by a physician and vice-president of the National Council Against Health Fraud, which analyzes dubious medical claims and presents the "establishment" view.