The German Commission E Monographs is still an often used Reference that in my oppinion belongs on everyone's shelf who works with Herbs. True, it does not cover all that the herbs are capable of and due to lack of proof, many wonderful herbs are not approved, BUT, and this is most important, whatever you find in this book is scientifically proven and you can believe it.

I VERY strongly recommend this book, and the CD as well. Whenever you explore a new herb, or need to know facts, check it out in the Commission E Monographs.

Nobody can beat James Duke at comfortable pop-level communication combined with solid, informed good judgement. In this book he gives practical preparation and dosage suggestions -- something the too-careful books don't do. He also provides clear, definite cautions on drug interactions and side-effects.

My only criticism of Duke's book is that he may be a bit too confident when he suggests combining several herbs at once to treat some conditions. Folklore and formal studies may provide reasonable dosage guides for individual herbs. But no single folklore or ancient system encompasses, at once, medicinal plants of South America, China, and Europe. Combining herbs that have not been traditonally used, nor clinically tested, in such combination, is not something I would advise to a general audience.

Nevertheless I rate this book very highly. I don't know how many copies of the previous edition I bought to give to people: teenagers, undergraduate college students, my old hippy friends, my father, doctors, and various people who ask me about medical botany.

There is always hope and here is the reason why.

Diagnosed with premature menopause at age 38, Petras has written the book that she wished had been available to her at that traumatic time. Well researched, engrossing, and easy to understand, this book will be invaluable to the millions of women in their twenties and thirties who share Petras's experience, answering the questions women ask when faced with the physical and emotional consequences of early menopause and the reality that their ability to reproduce might be over.

In addition to a thorough discussion of the pathophysiology and emotional aspects of premature menopause, this book includes chapters on hormone replacement and other pharmacologic therapies, diet (including vitamins and natural supplements), and exercise, as well as choosing the right doctor. Personal accounts from women dealing with premature menopause coupled with Petras's references to her own experiences should help empower women.

Appended to the text is information about support groups and web sites.