Botanical Medicines: The Desk Reference for Major Herbal Supplements, Second Edition

This book explores the benefits certain plants and fungi can provide in a "back to nature" manner. Every statement is supported by peer reviewed medical journal articles. This means the results that are presented have been duplicated by other scientists, who produce the same result; or, are referenced in the text, or as footnotes setting the foundation for conclusions. The references seem to be reputable articles on the issue. The fact that the copy I was sent came as a discard from a library really disturbs me. This means that: 1) It did not have sufficient circulation and space was needed for newer books (which I don't believe); or, 2) For some unknown reason, this book poses a threat to the big pharmaceuticals by disclosing the benefits Nature has to offer at no real cost to the consumer (maybe?). My only criticism is that it hasn't been recently updated. In WWII, the Nazi soldiers contracted amoebic dysentery when they were relocated from N. Africa to Poland. The soldiers marched a group of highly educated Polish citizens to German camps. Over 80% of the entire group died, yet more weaken Poles survived. When the Germans weren't looking, the townspeople would give the Poles heads of garlic. Garlic killed the amoebas. My dear friend survived due to the garlic. I know there is much more to be remembered, found anew and tested. Please update so we can fight these illnesses. Another well documented book is: "The Fungal Pharmacy" by Robert Rogers -- 300 different species of mushrooms and lichens in N. America--ISBN978-1-55643-953-7 (North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, Calif. 2011).