[.ca] Beyond Aspirin: Nature's Answer to Arthritis, Cancer & ... (ISBN 1890772011)

Written to sell author's products:
I was suspect when I discovered this book racked in my local health food store right next to an herbal product developed by the authors that "coincidentally" blocks the COX2 enzyme mentioned in this book. Does that invalid the book? No, but it casts doubt on the authors true motives for writing it.

Good herbal advice, but sketchy science:
I like this book for the list of helpful herbs to add to your diet and personal care plan but the science is sketchy. The discovery of the COX-2 inhibitors is a major breakthrough, but there isn't much research to connect it with other than some phenomenology about the effects of certain herb components on these enzymes. Part of the problem with pharmacological research on herbals is that the research requires the isolation of one component of the herb and studying its effects on physiological and biochemical reactions in a controlled manner. This is science. Herb preparations, however, as the author points out, are complex mixtures of compounds. Traditional Chinese Medicine, in fact, requires a mixture of herbals to balance their effects. Having said all that, is this book worthwhile? I think the advice here, on using certain herbs, and some in oil applied to the skin can have a good effect for a number of ailments. I use some of these myself (ginger and rosemary, for example.) But to assure oneself that these herbs will prevent Alzheimer's and other diseases? It's impossible to know. However, the herbs are pleasant and this book lists some excellent herbal treatments. Just be sure to mention them to your doctor, as some herbs have counteractive effects on prescription drugs.