Book Review: Nature's Best Remedies

I have to say, this is kind of a timely book because I'm dealing with the worst head cold and generally feel like death is warming over, so it's probably a good idea to read through this, right?

Nature's Best Remedies

A guide to the world's most therapeutic foods, herbs, spices, and essential oils will allow the healing power of nature to energize your body and enrich your life, providing a surefire path to good health and well-being. 

This authoritative guide to the foods, herbs, spices, essential oils, and other natural substances that alleviate common ailments will enhance your life--from treating illness to sharpening the mind, losing weight, cleaning the home, enhancing pregnancy, and reducing the effects of aging. Divided into two sections--Nature's Cures and Nature's Pharmacopoeia--this beautifully illustrated guide provides up-to-date information on such timely topics as the perils of packaged foods and the benefits of phytochemicals, how to achieve major results with minor alterations in your food choices, the soothing benefits of essential oils, and the most effective methods for maximizing such natural home helpers as salts, vinegars, oils, and more. Innovative recipes offer easy, effective dishes that utilize multiple herbs, spices, and fresh foods for powerhouse results.

My first thought about this book is that it's physically beautiful. The cover is great, the pages are great, the book itself has a fantastic lay out and organized well. Secondly, the sheer amount of very detailed information throughout is pretty impressive. I have to respect people who can pull the vast amount information together and condense it into an easy to read and easy to reference format. Coming from a trusted source such as National Geographic helps, too.

The book is divided into two parts: Nature's Cures and Nature's Pharmacopoeia. The first part isn't terribly long and though it covers the different systems in your body and other primary health areas, it didn't have the basics of handling the flu, common cold, etc that so often we're looking for something to give some relief. It does have a mental health section and a short weight loss section, as well as a chapter on pregnancy with was pretty interesting, I thought. The second part goes in depth on things you can grow in an indoor garden and their benefits, things "from the sea" and then dark herbs, all of which have countless benefits. Not to exclude anyone, it does have a section on beneficial spices but also- essential oils. The other section I spent a lot of time in is the Nature's Powerful Pantry one because a lot of the things mentioned I already have so how impressive is that?! I also have a lot of friends who are getting into the green cleaning supplies and there is an entire section for that and it was very easy to follow directions that you could try right away.

Overall I really liked this and if you consider yourself a crunchy mama, this is a great reference to have on hand. It would make a pretty terrific gift idea if you know someone who is getting into herbal remedies and taking a more clean approach to living their best life.

I was provided a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange of a review; all thoughts and opinions are my own.