Linda Rector-Page

(also posted on my site The Paperback stash)

This is a useful little book if you want to do a quick reference, but nothing more. I have to say I was disappointed, as there are no formulas here, and the advice on creating your own formulas is lukewarm. However, Page does state that its best for people to choose their own herbs to create their formulas, and she did have a neat idea with her charts (which are the bulk of this book).

To try and describe it, it would say "Herbs to fight infection", show more then be followed by very brief listings of what types of herbs should be used for this purpose. Then would come a three column chart, with one saying Primary herbs, second secondary herbs, and third catalysts and transporters. Herb names will be under each column - no information on those herbs there, though, and no details on how much should be used of that herb if chosen, how many herbs should be chosen, etc. Very generic, useful tool for quick reference only if you already know what you're talking about and just need a quick refresher when passing the shelf.

The end of the book has a brief materia medica of sorts, with a sentence or so about each herb. Capsules are pushed as the way to blend the combinations (The author owns Crystal Star, a line of herbal products)

If you're a beginner seeking information - this is NOT where to look. You'll see some useful lining up of herbs in columns, but won't learn enough about any of them, the actions of herbs in general, and even in-depth ways of creating various herbal products. History, lore, or research is not discussed either. It's a good book for the medium herbalist or someone just wanting a fast reference for ideas when blending their own formulas, but not something for someone to learn from for sure. I doubt I'll be opening this book much, but it may come in handy from time to time. show less

Diets for Healthy Healing
By Linda Page, Ph.D., Traditional Naturopath
Softcover: 256 pps.
Publisher: Healthy Healing, Inc.
ISBN-10: 1884334830

This attractive book purports to "give you everything you need to do it yourself, day by day," to proceed on a healing diet.

There are an abundance of recipes, easily divided into the "top ten" health issues of the day. Excepting personal preferences, they read to this amateur cook to be interesting, healthful and of a flavorful variety. There is an show more excellent array of choices, incorporating familiar as well as novel foods.

Not all, however, provide nutritional information. And several, more than several, in fact, call for ingredients that would be difficult for many people to obtain. (I have no idea where I can find bee pollen granules and have only one source -- except at Halloween -- for pumpkin seeds.)

Further, many of the author's points on dietary disagreements within the medical and dietary communities and federal agencies, are unsubstantiated. "One report said . . ." and "Tests show. . ." are rampant, without any footnoting or references.

Finally, I admit to being a little wary of any book that begins advertising other books and products under the author's control within the first couple of pages. There were few dietary suggestions that did not seem to include brand-name products, highlighted, and presumably under Dr. Page's corporate umbrella and additional sections on what other products needed to be included in one's diet as supplements to the menu choices in the book.

I would certainly like to try some of the recipes in the book, but would want to conduct more research and reading before buying in, literally, to the whole plan. show less

Diets for Healthy Healing by Dr. Linda Page Dr. Linda Page's Natural Solutions to America's 10 Biggest Health Problems is a wealth of information. These 10 main health issues pertain to all of us or someone we know. In this book, with Dr. Page's well researched and tried methods as well as her wonderful easy recipes, you can take charge of your health concerns. Each topic has an overview, symptoms, risk factors and what you can do quickly to help ease whatever issues you might have. I show more particularly like the way some of the recipes have mini notes as to other issues they might help with. For me, I cross over into several categories and this makes it easy to figure out what would work best for me. I feel today, for women especially, their health issues go untreated and they put up with nagging symptoms that could be eased if they had the right information.

In the beginning of the book, Dr. Page quotes Albert Schweitzer when he said, " the doctor of the future is oneself." I truly believe that this is our future. Rising health-care costs and overwhelming symptoms can lead to undiagnosed issues and I think we all need to be more in-tune with our own bodies and we can make a difference in how we look and feel. I do believe in our medical health-care professionals but I feel there is increasing room for Naturopathy in our health-care. Dr. Page tells of her own journey with health-care and gives us the information to help ourselves without having to go through the trials she had to endure. I look forward to trying more of the recipes and supplements she mentions. show less

The book is divided into sections based on health needs such as Allergies & Asthma, Digestive Disorders, Women's Imbalances (menopause, fibroids, and endometriosis). Each section has information about probable causes and symptoms, suggested natural remedies, and recipes that address the health problem. Some of the recipes call for Crystal Star herbal products, but there are plenty that don't. In the Diabetes and Hypoglycemia section, for example, non-brand-name recipes include Hot Potato show more Salad, Black Bean Tortilla Wrap, Low-Fat Chinese Chicken Salad, low-sugar Double Ginger Molasses Cookies and Lemon-Lime Pie, among others. The recipes look tasty, simple to prepare, without too many "weird" ingredients. Like each of the chapters, this one contains appealing recipes that I may try even though I don't cook for anyone with those health issues. (See full review: Worducopia) show less