Book excerpt: Mainstream medicine's first guide to safe and effective modes of alternative healing The world of natural and alternative medicine offers an amazing array of effective, inexpensive, but still controversial health-care choices. Now in this milestone book, America's most trusted provider of medical information, the Physicians' Desk Reference®, cuts through the controversy and tells you what you need to know about your healing options. - Which widely available herbs, vitamins, and minerals act like potent prescription medication - Fifty alternative therapy options--how they work, what they strive for, and potential side effects - Self-help techniques to stave off--and even reverse--chronic problems and disease - The latest findings on acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic adjustment, homeopathy, and much more - How certain natural remedies interact with conventional drugs - Easy-to-use indexes that will enable you to find treatment options for hundreds of ailments, identify the most effective herbal remedies, and research natural medicines by both common and Latin names - A sixteen-page herb identification portfolio featuring more than one hundred medicinal herbs, photographed in full color