2011 Reviews

Re: Pediatrician open to co-sleeping and breastfeeding
I couldn't recommend Christine Ciavarella, PA, more highly. She's compassionate, thorough, detail-oriented and highly skilled. Our family's seen her for 15-20 years- -ever since Matt Vuksinich, MD, stopped practicing at Hahnemann Clinic. She's seen it all and combines homeopathy with western medicine plus is open to what works for you. A real special person, Christine. 510 524 3117 of Hahnemann Clinic at El Cerrito Plaza. Jill Cohn

2010 Reviews

I'm looking for a homeopathic doctor recommendation for my husband. He has been dealing with psoriasis on his leg and elbows for a few years. Dermatologists have prescribed creams and various medicines but nothing has helped. We are searching for alternative treatments in the homeopathic and holistic realm, any recommendations at all would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much! Tiffany

I have been reading about homeopathy remedies and want to try them for my 6 year old son. He has some behavioral issues such as impulsiveness and repetitiveness that seem to be related to anxiety. I would like to work with a compassionate and knowledgeable homeopathy specialist (doctor?) Any recommendations? openminded

Hi, I am looking for a homeopath that can help my 3 year old with constipation. Anyone out there have a homeopath that they LOVE? anon

Has anyone heard of, or had experience working with, Shana Sturm? She was recommended to us for homeopathy, and I would like to get more information about her. Thanks! -R

2009 Reviews

my son is 2 yrs old and suffers from severe eczema. he's had it since he was 10 months old. he repeatedly gets staph infections due to it and is almost always on steroid creams and antibiotics. he's been allergy tested, thus we rehomed our pets. no change. we give him bleach baths, constant aquaphor, etc, etc. nothing works. we've also tried chinese herbs and accupressure. so now i am open to homeopathic care. the problem is, the common recommendations are sooooooo expensive! $300 for initial session and then $150-200 thereafter. we cannot afford this. any recs for homeopaths that are actually affordable would be greatly appreciated. the oakland/berkeley area is ideal. thanks so much!

My son is going to be 5years old end of August. He was diagnosed with autism before 2. His autism is mild but he is very hyper and I insist there has to be something to help him like homeopathy or natural medicine to be able to get him to be more stable and calm so he can concentrate and focus and be able to sit for a couple of minutes, if not he will have a hard time in kindergarden and won't be able to do homework. He goes to special program. Some people say those kids eventually will get medication, I will like to know if someone knows about a Natural Doctor or homeopath, that might be able to treat this with natural medicine not with drugs. Bibiana

I am looking for an homeopathic doctor for my son. He has a cough when he wakes up. He is coughing during 5 weeks now.I am interested in natural medicine. I am looking for any advice.

My daughter is almost 6 months old and has been on Prevacid for four months now. I completely trust my pediatrician but the nagging feeling wont leave me that ''Its just not right'' to have her on any kind of medication (no matter how 'safe'!)for such an extended time. However, a number of consultations with other pediatricians have also reassured me that its safe and it has indeed helpd my child eat and sleep a lot better. She is now ready to start solids and I am feeling concerned about the acid reflux acting up with new foods. I would be so extremely grateful for any advice recommending a good children's homeopath, naturalist, and/or any success stories of the reflux eventually ending! please, no scary tales of how evil western medication is-not because I'm choosing to be ignorant, but I'm anxious enough already. Thanks, Nervous Nelly

2008 Reviews

I'm looking for a classical homeopathist in the East Bay - Berkeley in particular. Any suggestions out there? ThanKs. Alexandra

I'm considering adding a homeopath to the list of folks who provide pediatric care for my 10 month old baby. Does anyone have any experience with Edi Pfeiffer? homeopath newbie

The questions that Edi asked me were interesting for me to answer. They made me think about who my daughter is and where she comes from. Questions about how she is in the world, how she responds to different situations, eats, sleeps, etc. and about her time in the womb, her birth, the medical & emotional histories of her parents, grandparents, etc. Edi prescribed a remedy for my daughter and I think that it was very helpful. And I’ve been able to give Edi a call when my daughter was sick and get her recommendations for what would be the best treatment for my daughter.

I certainly do recommend Edi. Aside from the fact that she is kind, thoughtful and nice to be around I believe that she is knowledgeable in the work that she is doing and I like that she has years of experience in homeopathy as well as motherhood. And Edi has always been very happy to answer my many questions about homeopathy and to share her wealth of knowledge about general health and good nutrition. Serena

I am looking for a recommendation of a classical homeopath in the East Bay. Berkeley or Oakland preferred. Thanks! Anon

Hi I am looking for a MD homeopath in Berkeley Area.any suggesions will be appreciated. Neelu

By the time we found Daniel Donner, my husband was very weak and sickly thin. Daniel used eastern, homeopathic, and western medical methods to diagnose and treat my husband. Daniel is a rare breed. Though his practice is primarily based on homeopathic and eastern philosophies, he employs western influences when necessary. To aid in diagnosing my husband, he ran a western laboratory test and was open to working with other doctors no matter what their orientation. He is a true healer - interested in healing his patients by whatever means necessary. Daniel is also an excellent acupuncturist (coming from my husband...who has been too several over the years).

After a few months of treatment, my husband's pain level has drastically decreased and he is gaining weight! His hair and skin look healthy again and he is more active than I have seen him since his illness. Throughout the process, Daniel provided me with updates on my husband's progress and was very supportive. I cannot thank him enough and recommend him highly! Here is his information: Daniel Donner 3927 Piedmont Ave (between Monte Vista Ave & Montell St) Oakland, CA 94611 (510) 655-0555 www.piedmontaveclinic.com Jessica

I was wondering if anyone had more up to date recommendations on local Berkeley homeopaths. Specifically, can anyone recommend a good homeopath in Berkeley, preferebly North Berkeley, for kids as well as adults? Has homeopathy worked for you? Thank you. Looking for great homeopath

2007 Reviews

My family and I, two adults and two young children, have been going through one illness after another since last October. We have had little time inbetween illnesses which range from colds and flu bugs to staph and strep infections. We cannot seem to break out of it and we are exhausted. The doctors at Kaiser give us conflicting advice IE: Everyone take antibiotics at once, stop all antibiotics, give only the person who is sick antibiotics etc. And round and round we go. It is very frustrating and I pretty much never want to go to Kaiser again. We need to try something else and I don't know what I am looking for. Homeopath? Naturopath? Whatever it is I need to be able to comprehend it with a foggy brain. I don't have time to read a book. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions for alternative treatments or physicians who can help get us get out of this cycle. sick of being sick

[Editor: recommendations for Naturopaths were received also.

2006 Reviews

Can anyone recommend a psychotherapist who is also a classically trained homeopath? I know about David Anderson in Petaluma, but anyone closer? Thank you!

I am looking for a homeopathic practictioner, possibly one who uses the biomeridian machine, or one who someone has had a lot of good steady results with children and adults. Thank you. Suzanne

2005 Reviews

Re: Alternative practitioner for prescription medication side effects I highly recommmend Anamika Stoller as an excellent Classical Homeopath. I am not sure how well homeopathy can treat your situation... guess you would have to inquire. Her office is in Berkeley, and website is www.WholeHealing.net

2004 Reviews

Can anyone recommend a Homeopath? I went to one in SF for about a year and it helped my mysterious itch tremendously, but now about 4 months after my son's birth it is back with a vengeance and I need some relief. Only I was laid off and don't go into SF regularly and would like to find someone here. Thanks. Scratchy

Peggy Mee only uses homeopathy, and my whole family has seen her with incredible results for deeper rooted issues, such as hives, or difficult emotional issues. She is also very warm and compassionate, but I don't have experience with her working with younger children. They are both expensive, but if you can afford it, well worth the expense. Lucia

2003 Reviews

Can anyone recommend a homeopath who deals with mental health issues? I'm trying to find an alternative to the use of psychotropic medication! Thanks for your words of wisdom! Anonymous

Re: Pediatrician for child with food allergey
I want to highly recommend Christine Ciavarella, who is a homeopath at the Hahnemann Medical Clinic in El Cerrito. Christine is also a Physician's Assistant, which means that she has knowledge of western medicine as well. I have gone to her for both my children and have found her extraordinary. I spoke to her about possible food allergies of my baby and I know that she has experience in this area. She can be reached at 524-3117 Yvonne

2002 & Earlier

I'm expecting my first child this summer and looking for a family doctor/pediatrician that is trained as a homeopath as well as in traditional medicine. I've heard a little about the Hahnemann clinic in Albany (and saw postings from 1997 on UCB Parents), but wanted to get more up-to-date information on the clinic or other similar clinics in the Berkeley area. I was wondering if anyone has personal experience with this clinic and any doctors there in particular. Thanks so much! Kim

Re: Pediatrician who has time for longer appts
Christine Ciavarella at the Hahnemann Medical Clinic at the El Cerrito Plaza - (510) 524-3117 - is the most incredible health care provider. She is a homeopathic pediatrician and she's been in the business for 25 years. Attentive, sensitive, and genuine are three ways to describe her care: she understands the core problem of illness and explores gentle yet highly effective ways of treatment.

As a homeopath, Christine is a strong believer in helping childrens' bodies cure themselves but she also does not hesitate to prescribe western remedies such as antibiotics when she feels it is necessary. We can call her in the morning if our daughter isn't feeling well and she can have us come in within a few hours, spending up to an hour with our little one if need be. She is thorough, dedicated to health care for her patients and is an all-around amazing woman. We love Christine! Nora, a mama of a super-healthy 'n happy girl

Re: Pediatricians who Support Limited Immunizations & Alternative Medicine
I too have switched for pediatric and general family care to the homeopathic practitioner Christine Ciavarella, recomended by another parent and I find her a treasure. It is still helpful to have a pediatrician on the back burner, when it comes to broken bones or hospital stays. Christine used to be connected to Dr. Jeff Gill (who also tolerated nonvacination but in no way supported it), unfortunately he has moved his office to Pleasanton. Christine is extremely well informed about the vacination issues, yet she will recommend tetanus vaccine and will administer some others on a much delayed schedule-but she will never pressure you like some health care practitioners .

Carla Cassler is wonderful. She has many years of experience and works a lot with children (and has 2 of her own). She's treated me, my mother, husband and both of my sons for allergies, arthritis, injuries and general flu/cold symptoms. She uses acupuncture, chinese herbs, homeopathy. She has medical experience/knowledge from working in medical clinics in Israel, as well as a vast knowledge and understanding of the eastern healing system and nutrition. Carla is also a very warm and friendly person. I trust her knowledge completely and can't recommend her more highly.

I can recommend Skip Roache who practices in Berkeley. He works with adults and children (including infants) and will do phone consulations as well. He's very reasonable and he calls back to find out how the patient is doing. 510-843-4441
epaige

When my daughter was small she had many many ear infections. After a year of 11 prescriptions, we turned to homeopathy when she was 2-1/2 and finally found that pulsatilla worked best for her. I also bought a cheap earscope and learned to look inside her ears for the swollen reddened ear drum indicating an infection and a trip to the docs; a shiny white bulging drum meant pulsatilla. At 8 she had her tonsils out (I resisted to the last minute, but finally decided after a cold accompanied by sleep apnea). She has had no infections since. PS Check out "Somnus" website. They offer a radio-frequency technique for reducing tonsil size.

I can recommend Skip Roache who practices in Berkeley. He works with adults and children (including infants) and will do phone consulations as well. He's very reasonable and he calls back to find out how the patient is doing. 510-843-4441
epaige

When my daughter was small she had many many ear infections. After a year of 11 prescriptions, we turned to homeopathy when she was 2-1/2 and finally found that pulsatilla worked best for her. I also bought a cheap earscope and learned to look inside her ears for the swollen reddened ear drum indicating an infection and a trip to the docs; a shiny white bulging drum meant pulsatilla. At 8 she had her tonsils out (I resisted to the last minute, but finally decided after a cold accompanied by sleep apnea). She has had no infections since. PS Check out "Somnus" website. They offer a radio-frequency technique for reducing tonsil size.

We have had success with Edie Mottershead in El Cerrito, 446-0582. We went to her after our 1 1/2 year old son had several ear infections, and he hasn't had one since (9 months later). Edie is experienced, thorough, and came recommended from several different sources.

(Oct 2003 editorial note: Edi Mottershead practices in Berkeley now. (510) 206-0582)

I'm responding to the person who was inquiring about homeopathy some time ago. Being originally from France, I (and everyone else in my family in France) have been using homeopathic remedies for decades, even for our babies. They are safe, easy to use, and have NO side effects, which is a big plus for me. In the worst case scenario, if they don't work, they won't harm you either (whereas I almost died once and developed nasty side effects at other times with allopathic medication). I have found that, for most chronic conditions, it is very efficient. My daughter (now 15 year-old) developed allergies when she was 6 or 7 years-old and I have been giving her homeopathic drops. The remedy she uses now is by A. Vogel, a product from Switzerland that I found at Wild Oats market at the corner of University and California streets; it's in a small glass bottle in a tall rectangular box (white, I believe with some red, green and yellow lines!!) and it works very well for Allergy to pollen, Hay Fever, Sneezing and Watery Eyes. Now, I think that this product contains a little bit of alcohol and you have to let it sit for a few seconds under your tongue, so it burns a bit for a short while. But Wild Oats also has homeopathic pellets in a small blue tube for all sorts of conditions, by the French BOIRON laboratories. For those who have tendinitis, I use a pellet combination of ARNICA MONTANA and RUTA GRAVEOLENS 30C for 3-4 days whenever my arm hurts; also, the Arnica-based ointment--also available at Wild Oats--is very effective for bruises and strains, for those of you who have young children who tend to fall. You may want to talk to either one of the Wild Oats nutritionists (they are very knowledgeable and patient!). Good luck!
Patricia

By all means check out homeopathic alternatives before tubes. When my daughter was 14 months she had a terrible ear infection. I gave in and tried antiobiotics, but she had a reaction to one. Our pediatrician suggested another pediatrician who uses homeopathic remedies (he had sent his own children to her). I highly recommend Dr. Ifeoma Ikenze (415) 258-9600. She is in Kentfield (Marin), is great with children, and is super knowledgeable about different remedies. The homeopathic approach took a bit longer (but who knows given that the antiobiotics didn't really do anything), but I felt much better about the fact that what they were really doing was jump-starting my daughter's body into healing itself and into fighting off future infections that could lead to ear trouble. We still use a "constitutional" weekly (or so)- remedy to strengthen her immune system. It has been over a year and a half and she has had one minor ear infection. I think the homeopathic remedies have helped her weather starting preschool without too many colds, too! Curryville

There was talk of tubes for my son when he was suffering from repeated ear infections, but I resisted and am so glad I did. You'll find pediatricians and even pediatric ENTs divided on the issue. I say, don't go there until you've exhausted ALL the possibilities, including Sally Savitz, a wonderful homeopath in the Rockridge area Oakland, whom I took Chris to last Spring (phone: 655-9644). While part of Chris's miraculous recovery my be in part due to growing out of it and also seeing a Cranio-Sacral therapist (she said his temporal bones were jammed--he's very active and falls alot and jammed temporal bones apparently block the drainage of the Eustachian tubes), I am convinced we would still be caught in the vicious cylcle of antibiotics if I hadn't decided to step outside of the "usual" approach to chronic ear infections. Apparently, chronic ear infections is one of the things for which homeopathy is especially effective, and Sally's assistant gave me some pertinent articles that I found very informative. Good luck, and if you're interested in the Cranio-sacral therapist, her name is Nancy Burke in El Cerrito (phone: 526-0115) and she's great with kids. Chris sees her now once a month for a preventative "tune-up".(But I still knock on wood everytime a cold doesn't become an ear infection--when you're a parent even superstition is worth a try). Beth

Our daughter (4 1/2 yrs.) had fluid trapped behind her eardrum for several months. My regular doctor suggested we might consider tubes. Anyway I took her to a homeopath who suggested that she chew large wads of gum, drink more water and blow up balloons. Mostly what we did was have her blow up balloons. It took her 2 days before she could blow them up by herself and she was quite excited and proud of this accomplishment. In two days she blew up 17 balloons. That was it. Apparently this helps to equalize pressure in the eustacian tubes so that the fluid can drain. A week later and another visit for a check up and we were told her hears looked great. Fluid gone.

I heartily recommend Sally Savitz, M.S., L.Ac., who is also a homeopath. She's great with kids as well as adults and thanks to her, we've finally broken the vicious cycle of antibiotics and the side effects (persistent ringworm), and Chris (my six year old son), hasn't had an ear or sinus infection for almost a year! (He was getting one every other month, every time he caught a cold, from 3 to 5 years old). She's located at 5346 College Avenue, a little south of Rockridge, and her phone number is (510) 655-9644. Beth

Good luck!
Dawn

Two others I can recommend are David Bierman, 843-6042, and Daniel Donner, 655-0555. Both are Licenced Accupuncturists as well as homeopaths. My partner used to see Bierman regularly and he might be a bit cheaper. I went to see Donner when I was pregnant and he was very good, though expensive. Sophie

Rescue Remedy for my 87-year-old mother?

Does anyone have experience with Rescue Remedy? It apparently has something to do with Bach flower remedies(?) A social worker at my 87-y-o mother's retirement home has recommended it for her anxiety. I'll run this by my mom's doctor but am wondering if anyone has personal experience with it. Also, any recommendations on form (spray, water, pastilles, etc.)? Thanks. anon

If your mother is feeling anxious, the first thing that your doctor will want to do is determine the reason she's feeling anxious. Maybe she doesn't trust the social worker and doesn't like having quackery foisted upon her.

I would not recommend any form of ''Bach's Flowers'' for my elderly mother. There is no regulation whatsoever, and the pills could even be made in China. Cautious

Safety of homeopathic meds

I just purchased a bottle of Hyland's Sniffles and Sneezes for kids at Whole Foods, but before I opened it I wanted to research the ingredients. It turns out that the first active ingredient is Aconitum Napellus, which has a long history of being used as a poison! I have used Hyland's teething tablets in the past and know they too have a poisonous substance in them, but read on this network that it was only poisonous in extremely large doses and that the amount in the tablets was thus negligible. I'm VERY weary, however, to purposely give my children a known poison. Why in the world would I do that??!!! Does anyone have any educated advice on these homeopathic meds? leah

Many substances used to improve our health can be toxic in larger amounts (homeopathic or not). Homeopathic/natural/orgainc/ does not mean it can't hurt you. There are natural pesticides that can cause a lot of environmental damage.

Choose the homeopathic meds if that is what works for you and your family, and use them with your eyes wide open, as you should with any med. - anonymous

The more insidious danger with homeopathic ''remedies'' is that wasting time and money on placebo ''remedies'' will postpone the diagnosis and treatment of a problem that should have been treated immediately.

Here's a link with factual information on homeopathy, including its history: www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/homeo.html. Educated

I think that it's great that you are questioning any modality that you are unfamiliar with and I suggest that you continue to take a closer look. Talk to Homeopaths and their patients about your concerns. Obviously, not all therapies are safe, regardless of how mainstream/alternative they may be. I've found however, that if you dig a little a bit into the motives that belong to the critics you will often find ignorance and/or fear. I just don't want ''Educated'' to turn you off to something that might really benefit you before you've taken the time to fully investigate for yourself. Good luck! Still Learning

What is Homeopathy? Does Homeopathy Really Work?

Hi, All this talk of homeopathic remedies, which I would like to believe in, has me wondering two things:

1) Has the meaning of the word "homeopathy" been changed recently to mean something other than its original meaning, which was:

        ho.me.op.a.thy
   n [G Homoopathie, fr. homoo- homeo- + -pathie -pathy] (1826):
          a system of medical practice that treats a disease esp. by
          the administration of minute doses of a remedy that would in
          healthy persons produce symptoms similar to those of the
          disease -- ho.meo.path n 

I'd be very interested to learn the answer, if anyone here knows.
Joyce

At http://www.ihr.com/homeopat/research.html there is an article called "The Scientific Evidence for Homeopathic Medicines" which might answer some of your questions about clinical trials. Certainly the precise way in which homeopathy works is not fully understood, but because we don't yet understand the system by which something works doesn't mean that it isn't effective. Witness the evolution of modern scientific understanding over the past couple of centuries.

I'm pretty adamant about speaking up in defense of homeopathy. I grew up in a homeopathic household and my extended family has experienced remarkable success with it. The successes have involved many ailments that weren't things people grow out of: epileptic seizures, arthritis, Meunier's (sp?) disease.

Here's a little statistical blurb on where homeopathy is used throughout the world:

excerpted: Homeopathy is particularly popular in France, England, Germany, Greece, India, Pakistan, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and South Africa. Approximately 40% of the French public have used homeopathic medicines, and 39% of the French physicians have prescribed the medicines. About 20% of German physicians occasionally utilize these natural medicines, and 45% of Dutch physicians consider them effective. According to a survey in the British Medical Journal (June 7, 1986), 42% of British physicians survey refer patients to homeopathic physicians, and a New York Times article reported that visits to British homeopaths is growing at a rate of 39% a year.
Chris

Certain alternative therapies such as herbal medicine and acupuncture have been finding increasing acceptance, even among standard practitioners of Western medicine, and there are clinical studies using placebo and double-blind methods which have supported the efficacy of SOME of these treatments. However, it is difficult to find credible research to support homeopathy.

As Joyce pointed out, there is a lot of confusion about homeopathy because the term is sometimes used interchangeably with natural/herbal/naturopathy, etc., even when these are not the same thing. For instance, arnica, a popular ingredient in homeopathic preparations, is also used in allopathic, naturopathic, and herbal concoctions, but in much much much stronger doses. I don't think we can say that the homeopathic dose (often something like 1:1,000 dilutions or more) and the 5% solution are the same thing...we certainly don't think so when the ingredient is something like belladonna, which also appears in homeopathic dilutions, but I hope you wouldn't dream of using a non-homeopathic dose on your children!

During the flu season I tried to get my husband to take echinacea, as I do. He at first didn't want to, because he associates echinacea with a friend who promotes its use as well as the use of homeopathy. I told my husband that although many people who use homeopathy also use echinacea, the echinacea in question is not being given in homeopathic doses, and furthermore, there are some well-designed studies which support the efficacy of echinacea in bolstering the immune system. (Zinc, on the other hand, is questionnable.) There are also some intriguing studies involving ginseng in prevention of cancer. However, we are not talking about homeopathic dilutions.

In 1995 the National Institutes of Health Office of Alternative Medicine convened a panel to examine the possibility of developing practice guidelines for alternative medicines. The panel found that there were two impediments: One, the lack of data from well-designed clinical trials; and two, the divergent theories about the nature of health and illness even among the alternative disciplines (acupunture, herbal medicine, homeopathy, etc.)

In well-designed clinical studies, in which a homeopathic preparation is given to a randomized sample of patients, and another group is given a placebo, and both the patients and the researchers are "blind" to who got what (that's the "double-blind" part), homeopathy is no better than placebo. This has been found in studies of homeopathic preparations for pain, for warts, and for upper respiratory tract infections, etc.

However, I understand why parents might want to consider homeopathy for treatment of ear infections. Many, many parents have reported that their children have done better with homeopathic treatment than they have on a standard course of antibiotics. Here's why (I believe): Studies have found that over 80% of children with acute otitis media will improve if given _placebo_, rather than antibiotic. Furthermore, prophylactic antibiotics are not effective in _preventing recurrent_ otitis media. As we all know, antibiotics are overprescribed in this country, partly because parents and physicians want to "do something" and partly because IT IS better than nothing for nearly 20% of the cases. So if you use homeopathic treatment rather than antibiotics, you have a better than 80% chance that your kid will be fine. It's up to you as to whether you want to take that chance.

Homeopathy developed during the 19th century, at a time when people were still being cupped, bled, given emetics and all sorts of horrific treatments. It's no wonder that homeopathy was, and in many cases still can be, an attractive alternative to such violent treatments.

Many studies have demonstrated the importance of the "placebo effect." One shouldn't simply write off placebos or homeopathy as "doing nothing" - I think what they do is allow the patient to feel that she or he is DOING something, and is therefore not powerless in the face of disease. Also, it may allow the body/mind system to begin to heal itself, rather than be assaulted by some of the more violent alternatives. But I would like people to consider the possibility that in choosing homeopathy they ARE doing something, and that something is NOTHING. It is laudable to try do something, and it may be appropriate to have that something be a NOTHING, a nostrum, a placebo. I do object to the practioners and purveyors of homeopathic treatments making such profits from their tiny pills. (Not that larger profits from larger pills are any more attractive).

Think twice before asking for an antibiotic for a virus, and think twice before spending money on a homeopathic remedy when a nice warm cup of milk, or tea, or a cuddle, or a good book, might be just as salutory.

Natasha

What is unique about the Alternative Medicine Sourcebook? Unlike practically everything else written about alternative medicine, this book tells both sides. It combines sharp criticism with informed appreciation, in about equal measure. For, while alternative medicine has much that is useful to offer, it is a very mixed field, with a very high nonsense and commercialism quotient. This book is also unique in that it tells "the story from the street." Rather than idealized depictions of wonderful cures, The Alternative Medicine Sourcebook contains realistic information on how to actually use alternative care in real life. The author is a physician whose practice integrates alternative and conventional medicine. He has also received extensive alternative treatment himself, so he knows the field from both sides.