Author(s): Reader's Digest

Mind, Body & Spirit

Although herbal medicine has been around for centuries, our understanding of it has grown dramatically in recent years, with new findings showing which ones are most effective and which ones are best avoided. Nature's Medicines combines traditional knowledge with the latest clinical research about the healing power of herbs. It includes an A-Z of plants that describes more than 170 common plants found in Australia and New Zealand, their healing properties and how to make use of them, as well as warnings about when not to use them and possible side-effects. A section on A-Z of ailments lists more than 135 common illnesses, together with herbs that can be used to treat them, and recommended dosages. There is also advice on how to cultivate and harvest herbs and how to prepare herbal remedies.