Prescription for Natural Cures (Third Edition): A Self-Care Guide for Treating Health Problems with Natural Remedies Including Diet, Nutrition, Supplements, and Other Holistic Methods

by Mark Stengler, James F. Balch, Robin Young Balch (With)

Overview

Hundreds of thousands of readers have relied on Prescription for Natural Cures as the source for accurate, easy-to-understand information on natural treatments and remedies for a host of common ailments. The new edition of this invaluable guide has been thoroughly updated to reflect the very latest research and recommendations. This revised edition prescribes remedies for almost 200 conditions, including new entries such gluten sensitivity and MRSA. You'll find easy-to-understand discussions of the symptoms and root causes of each health problem along with a proven, natural, customized prescription that may include supplements, herbal medicine, homeopathy, aromatherapy, Chinese medicine, hydrotherapy, bodywork, natural hormones, and other natural cures in addition to nutritional advice.


This revised edition features:


* Comprehensive reference contains natural remedies for almost 200 common health ailments organized by problem from A to Z


* Scores of new supplements and many new conditions


* Up-to-date information reflecting the latest natural health research and treatment recommendations


* Clear, authoritative guidance on dietary changes, healing foods, nutritional supplements, and recommended tests



Down-to-earth descriptions of each health problem and natural remedy

If you and your family want to get better naturally, Prescription for Natural Cures is an essential health resource you can't afford to be without.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781630260903
Publisher:	TURNER PUB CO
Publication date:	02/23/2016
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	848
Sales rank:	175,520
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 10.90(h) x 2.00(d)

About the Author

James F. Balch, M.D., is one of the bestselling health book authors of all time. A renowned medical doctor, he is the coauthor of the first two editions of the landmark 8-million-copy bestseller Prescription for Nutritional Healing; he is also the coauthor of Prescription for Drug Alternatives. Dr. Balch has made numerous appearances on television and radio and lectures regularly around North America.

Mark Stengler, N.M.D., is a licensed naturopathic medical doctor, the coauthor of Prescription for Drug Alternatives, and an expert in nutrition, herbal therapy, vitamin therapy, homeopathy, and integrative medicine. Dr. Stengler is the author of one of our most popular health newsletters, Bottom Line Natural Healing; his website is www.markstengler.com.

Robin Young Balch, N.D., is a naturopathic physician and coauthor of Prescription for Drug Alternatives. She is credentialed as a master Chinese herbalist and has expertise in aromatherapy, reflexology, and acupressure.

Read an Excerpt

Allergies. See also Asthma and Food Allergies



An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system misinterprets a normally nontoxic substance, such as grass, pollen, a detergent, or a certain food, as a harmful invader. The immune system then responds to this perceived threat, called an allergen, by releasing substances called histamines. Histamines produce a wide range of bodily reactions, including respiratory and nasal congestion, increased mucus production, skin rashes and welts, and headache. In the case of an actual threat to the body, in the form of, say, a flu virus, these reactions would form an important line of defense against the invader, helping to trap it and expel it, and encouraging you to rest and recover. But during the false alarm of an allergic response, the body overreacts to a harmless agent.

Most allergens are found either in the environment or in food. (For information about allergic reactions to food, see Food Allergies.) Environmental allergens include pollen (reactions to pollen are often called hay fever), mold, animal dander, dust, feathers, insect venom, certain cosmetics and household products, and metals. When the environmental allergens are removed or make their seasonal disappearance, the body returns to normal. If the allergens are not removed, the immune system will continue its artificially high state of alert. In these cases, the allergic response can develop into chronic allergic rhinitis, in which the nasal passages remain persistently inflamed.

Why some people develop allergies to certain substances and others do not remains unclear. It does seem that certain allergic responses, such as hay fever, have a genetic basis. An excess accumulation of mucus in the body, which attracts and stores the irritant, also contributes to or causes allergic responses. In addition, stress and a generally depressed immune system may contribute to the severity of allergies.



CAUSES



• Allergies happen when the immune system attacks a harmless substance. Common triggers for allergies include mold; dust; tree, grass, or flower pollen; animal dander; feathers; insect venom, especially from bee stings; metal, particularly nickel; household chemicals; and some cosmetics.

• An excess of mucus, caused by a poor diet

• Stress, which depresses the immune system



SYMPTOMS



Allergic responses can produce any one or a combination of several of the following symptoms:

• Nasal congestion

• Headache

• Sneezing

• Fatigue

• Coughing

• Fluid retention

• Red, itchy, or watery eyes

• Swelling of the throat and the tongue

• Wheezing

• Sore throat

• Hives, rashes, eczema, or other skin eruptions



Caution: If you experience difficulty breathing or develop hives that spread rapidly, get emergency help at once. Allergic reactions like these can quickly be fatal. If you know you have severe reactions to certain substances, talk to your doctor about emergency adrenaline kits you can keep on hand.



ROOT CAUSES



• Genetics

• Poor digestion

• Nutritional deficiencies

• Limited diet (in cases of food sensitivities, the lack of variety in the diet)

• Lack of exposure to germs and allergens when a child



Testing Techniques



Blood IgG4 and IgE food and environmental screen

Electrodermal testing for sensitivities

Muscle testing by a skilled practitioner



TREATMENT



Diet



If you have allergies, dietary therapy should include strategies for mucus reduction, elimination of allergenic pathogens, and general immune support.



Recommended Food

Base your diet on non–mucus-forming foods: whole grains (although gluten sensitivity is common), fresh vegetables and fruits, cold-pressed oils, and raw seeds and nuts. (Many people with environmental allergies also have reactions to nuts, so monitor your reactions carefully.)

To keep your immune system healthy, make sure to get enough lean protein. Seafood and tofu are good sources that don’t encourage mucus production.

Drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses of clean quality water a day to thin mucus secretions.

Flaxseeds and flaxseed oil can reduce inflammation. Take 2 tablespoons every day.

Fresh vegetable juices improve detoxification, which indirectly helps an overactive immune system. A 3-day vegetable juice fast can help reduce some allergy symptoms.



Food to Avoid

Eliminating foods that cause mucus should be a priority for any allergy sufferer. Mucus-forming foods include all dairy products, fried and processed foods, refined flours, chocolate, and eggs.

The immune response stresses your digestive system, so place as few additional burdens on it as possible. Cut down on bad fats and oils (satu-A randomized, double-blind rated, hydrogenated, or those containing trans-fatty acids)—as well as the study involving the use of refined flour and the processed foods mentioned earlier—and increase your freeze-dried nettles and intake of fiber, especially from raw vegetables. people who had hay fever

Many people with environmental allergies also suffer from food allergies. found that after one week See the Food Allergies section and follow the elimination diet there to ensure that certain foods aren’t making your environmental allergies worse.

Wheat is the unsuspected culprit behind many allergies, including those their sneezing and itching. that seem to be triggered by environmental allergens. Try eliminating wheat during the seasons that usually coincide with your allergic responses.

Table of Contents

PREFACE, ix

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, xi

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK, 1





Part One: Conditions

Abscesses and Boils, 7

Acne, 11

Aging, 16

AIDS and HIV, 22

Alcoholism (see SUBSTANCE ABUSE) Allergies, 28

Alzheimer’s Disease, 33

Anemia, 40

Angina (see CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE)

Anorexia Nervosa (see EATING DISORDERS)

Anxiety, 45

Arteriosclerosis (see CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE)

Arthritis, 50

Asthma, 57

Athlete’s Foot, 63

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, 66

Autism, 73

Back Pain, 76

Bad Breath (Halitosis), 82

Bee Stings, 85

Bladder Infection (Cystitis), 87

Blood Pressure, High, 92

Bone Fractures, 98

Brittle Nails, 103

Bronchitis, 106

Bruises, 110

Bulimia (see EATING DISORDERS)

Burns (including Sunburn), 113

Cancer, 116

Candidiasis (Thrush and Yeast Infection), 128

Cardiovascular Disease, 133

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), 142

Cataracts, 146

Cervical Dysplasia, 150

Cholesterol, High, 154

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), 160

Colic, 167

Common Cold, 171

Constipation, 175

Cough, 181

Crohn’s Disease, 185

Cystitis (see BLADDER INFECTION)

Depression, 191

Diabetes, 197

Diarrhea, 204

Diverticulitis, 209

Dizziness, 213

Drug Addiction (see SUBSTANCE ABUSE)

Ear Infection, 217

Eating Disorders (Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia), 223

Eczema, 229

Endometriosis, 234

Fever, 239

Fibrocystic Breasts, 242

Fibroids, Uterine, 246

Fibromyalgia, 250

Flu, 258

Food Allergies/Sensitivities, 264

Food Poisoning, 269

Gallbladder Problems, 274

Gastritis (see ULCERS)

Gingivitis, 280

Glaucoma, 283

Gluten Sensitivity, 287

Gout, 290

Hair Loss, 295

Halitosis (see BAD BREATH)

Headache, 300

Hearing Loss, 306

Hemorrhoids, 311

Heart Attack and Heart Disease (see CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE)

Hepatitis, 316

Herpes, 322

Herpes Zoster (see SHINGLES)

Hiatal Hernia and Acid Reflux Disease, 326

High Blood Pressure (see BLOOD PRESSURE, HIGH)

High Cholesterol (see CHOLESTEROL, HIGH)

HIV (see AIDS AND HIV)

Hives, 330

Hyperthyroidism, 335

Hypoglycemia, 337

Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid), 340

Impotence, 346

Infertility, 351

Influenza (see FLU)

Insomnia, 356

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, 363

Jet Lag, 368

Kidney Stones, 370

Lupus, 374

Macular Degeneration, 381

Memory Problems, 385

Menopause, 389

Motion Sickness, 395

MRSA, 398

Multiple Sclerosis, 400

Muscle Aches and Cramps, 407

Obesity, 410

Osteoporosis, 417

Parasites (Intestinal), 424

Parkinson’s Disease, 428

Poisoning, 434

Pregnancy-Related Problems, 437

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), 457

Prostate Enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia), 464

Prostatitis, 469

Psoriasis, 474

Rosacea, 479

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), 484

Shingles (Herpes Zoster), 489

Sinusitis, 493

Sore Throat, 499

Sprains and Strains, 502

Stroke, 506

Substance Abuse (Drug and Alcohol Addiction), 512

Syndrome X, 518

TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Syndrome, 522

Thrush (see CANDIDIASIS)

Tinnitus, 526

Ulcers, 529

Underactive Thyroid (see HYPOTHYROIDISM)

Uterine Fibroids (see FIBROIDS, UTERINE)

Vaginitis, 534

Varicose Veins, 540

Vertigo, 544

Warts, 547

Yeast Infection (see CANDIDIASIS)



Part Two: The Essentials of Natural Medicine

Diet and Nutrition, 553 Fasting, 570 Nutritional Supplements, 573 Herbal Medicine, 609 Homeopathy, 637 Aromatherapy, 660



Part Three: Appendix

A Natural Health-Care Modalities and Resource Guide, 699

INDEX, 709

Traditional Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture and Acupressure, 670

Hydrotherapy, 682

Natural Hormones, 685

Bodywork, 689

Exercise and Stress Reduction, 693

Glossary, 703

Editorial Reviews

Prescription for Natural Cures provides a valuable resource to help guide readers to safe and effective natural solutions to common health conditions. A clear path to improved health is provided no matter the health challenge.” — Michael T. Murray, N.D., co-author, The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine

From the Publisher