James F. Balch & Mark Stengler 
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

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.

Table of Content

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

About the author

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.