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Prescription for
Natural Cures
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Prescription for
Natural Cures
A Self-Care Guide for Treating Health
Problems with Natural Remedies,
Including Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional
Supplements, Bodywork, and More
JAMES F. BALCH, M.D.
MARK STENGLER, N.D.
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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This book is printed on acid-free paper.
Copyright © 2004 by Balch Enterprises, LLC, and Stenglervision, Inc. All rights reserved
Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
Balch, James F., date.
Prescription for natural cures : a self-care guide for treating diseases and health problems with
natural remedies including diet and nutrition, herbal medicine, nutritional supplements, bodywork,
and more / James F. Balch, Mark Stengler.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-471-49088-1 (paper : alk. paper)
1. Naturopathy—Popular works. 2. Alternative medicine—Popular works. 3. Self-care, Health.
I. Stengler, Mark. II. Title.
RZ440.B285 2004
615.5'35—dc22
2004005669
Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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Contents
PREFACE, ix
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, xi
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK, 1
Part One: Conditions
Abscesses and Boils, 7 Bronchitis, 102
Acne, 11 Bruises, 107
Aging, 17 Bulimia (see EATING DISORDERS)
AIDS and HIV, 23 Burns (including Sunburn), 110
Alcoholism (see SUBSTANCE ABUSE) Cancer, 113
Allergies, 29 Candidiasis (Thrush and Yeast
Alzheimer’s Disease, 33 Infection), 125
Anemia, 41 Cardiovascular Disease, 130
Angina (see CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE) Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), 139
Anorexia Nervosa (see EATING DISORDERS) Cataracts, 143
Anxiety, 46 Cholesterol, High, 147
Arteriosclerosis (see CARDIOVASCULAR Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), 154
DISEASE) Common Cold, 161
Arthritis, 52 Constipation, 166
Asthma, 59 Cough, 171
Athlete’s Foot, 65 Crohn’s Disease, 176
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, 68 Cystitis (see BLADDER INFECTION)
Back Pain, 74 Depression, 182
Bad Breath (Halitosis), 81 Diabetes, 189
Bee Stings, 84 Diarrhea, 196
Bladder Infection (Cystitis), 86 Dizziness, 202
Blood Pressure, High, 91 Drug Addiction (see SUBSTANCE ABUSE)
Bone Fractures, 97 Ear Infection, 206
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Contents
Eating Disorders (Anorexia Nervosa Macular Degeneration, 361
and Bulimia), 212 Memory Problems, 365
Eczema, 218
Menopause, 370
Endometriosis, 223
Motion Sickness, 377
Fever, 229
Multiple Sclerosis, 380
Fibroids, Uterine, 232
Muscle Aches and Cramps, 387
Fibromyalgia, 237
Obesity, 390
Flu, 245
Food Allergies/Sensitivities, 251 Osteoporosis, 398
Food Poisoning, 257 Parasites (Intestinal), 404
Gallbladder Problems, 262 Parkinson’s Disease, 408
Gastritis (see ULCERS) Poisoning, 414
Glaucoma, 268 Pregnancy-Related Problems, 418
Gout, 273 Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), 438
Hair Loss, 278 Prostate Enlargement (Benign Prostatic
Halitosis (see BAD BREATH) Hyperplasia), 445
Headache, 283 Prostatitis, 450
Hearing Loss, 290 Psoriasis, 455
Hemorrhoids, 295
Rosacea, 460
Heart Attack and Heart Disease
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), 466
(see CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE)
Hepatitis, 300 Shingles (Herpes Zoster), 472
Herpes, 306 Sinusitis, 476
Herpes Zoster (see SHINGLES) Sprains and Strains, 482
Hiatal Hernia and Acid Reflux Disease, 310 Stroke, 486
High Blood Pressure (see BLOOD PRESSURE, Substance Abuse (Drug and Alcohol
HIGH) Addiction), 492
High Cholesterol (see CHOLESTEROL, Syndrome X, 498
HIGH)
TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Syndrome,
HIV (see AIDS AND HIV)
502
Hives, 315
Thrush (see CANDIDIASIS)
Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid), 320
Underactive Thyroid (see HYPOTHYROIDISM)
Impotence, 326
Ulcers, 507
Infertility, 332
Uterine Fibroids (see FIBROIDS, UTERINE)
Influenza (see FLU)
Insomnia, 337 Vaginitis, 513
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, 344 Varicose Veins, 518
Kidney Stones, 349 Warts, 523
Lupus, 354 Yeast Infection (see CANDIDIASIS)
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Contents
Part Two: The Essentials of Natural Medicine
Diet and Nutrition, 529 Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Fasting, 547 Acupuncture and Acupressure, 661
Nutritional Supplements, 550 Hydrotherapy, 676
Herbal Medicine, 593 Natural Hormones, 679
Homeopathy, 625 Bodywork, 684
Bach Flower Remedies, 648 Exercise and Stress Reduction, 688
Aromatherapy, 651
Part Three: Appendix
A Natural Health-Care Modalities and Glossary, 699
Resource Guide, 695
INDEX, 705
ABOUT THE AUTHORS, 724
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Preface
This book was written to provide the public, as well as health practitioners, with
the most up-to-date, results-oriented, yet user-friendly, reference book on natural
healing available today. It contains information that was published in some of the
world’s most prestigious medical journals. In addition, it includes invaluable
“gems” of clinical advice that you will not likely find in any other book. These
tips were either passed on to us by generations of doctors and natural health-care
practitioners from around the world or were learned firsthand in our work with
thousands of patients.
Prescription for Natural Cures focuses on natural and preventative remedies.
It is our belief that the body functions best when we ingest substances that are as
close as possible to their natural state. This rule holds true with most foods, herbs,
air, and water. While modern pharmaceutical medications can have amazing prop-
erties and may be necessary in certain cases, they generally have an inherent poten-
tial for causing side effects. Why is this so? Simply put, our genetic code was not
designed to be compatible with synthetic, man-made drugs. Does this mean that
we do not recommend the use of pharmaceutical medications, surgery, or other
conventional therapies? Not at all. As doctors, we are grateful that our medical
training has given us a strong background in conventional therapies. For exam-
ple, Dr. Balch was a skilled urological surgeon before he focused on his new pas-
sion for natural healing. We recommend whatever it takes for a patient to get better.
Many times, it is a comprehensive protocol of several natural therapies, such as
dietary changes, nutritional supplements, exercise, and other natural techniques.
In other cases, a patient may require a combination of natural and conventional
therapies. This is often seen with cancer, cardiovascular disease, and advanced dia-
betes, as well as in cases of emergency care.
Where we differ from mainstream doctors is that we believe nonemergency con-
ditions and most chronic health problems should be dealt with by using holistic
therapies, whenever possible. They provide a nontoxic way for the body to heal
itself, without the risks incurred from the use of suppressive or damaging phar-
maceutical agents. By relying on natural therapies as the basis of therapy, we can
add conventional treatment if needed, depending on the severity and the response
of the patient. Currently, millions of North Americans and countless others
around the world are incorporating holistic medicine into their health-care regi-
mens, in an attempt to avoid surgery or stop using pharmaceutical medications.
This wise plan may be attainable, but it should be attempted only under the
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Preface
supervision of a qualified doctor. You should not regard the advice in this book
as a replacement for proper medical attention.
Let us also focus on the concept of prevention. Remember the last time you had
a cold, the flu, or another ailment that you likely could have prevented with rest,
sound nutrition, and specific nutrition supplements? The ultimate form of heal-
ing is to prevent an illness from occurring in the first place. This requires knowl-
edge about how the body functions at a healthy level. Our book includes this
information.
We believe that this book can make a tremendous difference in your health and
the health of your loved ones. You now have within reach the powerful and amaz-
ing healing tools that were graciously given to us by our Creator.
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Acknowledgments
First, I must thank my Lord Jesus Christ, who thirty years ago transformed my mind
about healing and wellness. In addition, I thank my wife, Robin Young-Balch, a tal-
ented naturopathic doctor, whose research and encouragement spurred us on toward
publication of this book. We pray that “the Multitudes” will benefit from the infor-
mation contained herein.
—James F. Balch, M.D.
I would like to thank the Lord for the blessing of being able to help others with holis-
tic medicine. To my wife, Angela, who is a fine doctor and, more important, an out-
standing mother and wife. To my three children, who amaze and inspire me. Also, my
thanks to Barb Wallace, for her assistance in the review and the preparation of the
manuscript.
—Mark A. Stengler, N.D.
Our thanks to Jeff Herman for representing this book as our agent and to Tom Miller
and the staff at John Wiley & Sons for their enthusiasm in publishing Prescription
for Natural Cures.
—from both authors
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How to Use This Book
This book focuses on providing you with results. We have incorporated the best of
what science and nature have to offer in the field of natural medicine.
The largest component of the book, Part One, includes entries for health conditions.
They are listed in alphabetical order. For easy reference, the exact page number of the
condition you are looking for is located in the index at the back of this book. Each
condition consists of five main parts, outlined here.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CONDITION
The important features of each condition are described in a thorough, yet easy-to-
understand, manner. We provide details on how conventional, as well as holistic, doc-
tors understand and approach these conditions. We mention why researchers believe
this disease process is occurring. In many cases, we give our own explanation of why
an imbalance or an illness may occur.
SYMPTOMS
A summary of the symptoms helps you to determine whether you have a specific
condition. Of course, you should consult a health professional to obtain an accurate
diagnosis.
ROOT CAUSES
This section provides a summary of the root causes for a condition or what its initi-
ating factor(s) are. This will help you focus on what is causing your health problem.
TESTING TECHNIQUES
For each condition, we list the most important tests to help determine the root cause
of your illness. This section will help you choose the best type of health care. The tests
are commonly available through your local medical doctor or natural health-care
provider. Please note: not every type of standard conventional test is listed for each con-
dition, because we assume that these are part of your doctor’s investigative procedure.
TREATMENT
The Treatment section has a comprehensive description of the following natural
methods:
1
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Prescription for Natural Cures
Diet. This section includes foods that are known to prevent or heal the condition.
It also describes foods that can cause or worsen an illness.
Detoxification. Detoxification is important for preventing and healing disease. This
section gives helpful advice on improving a condition with detoxifying tech-
niques.
Super Seven Prescriptions. One unique aspect of this book, which distinguishes it
from other natural healing reference books, is the Super Seven Prescriptions sec-
tion. Here, we prioritize the top seven prescriptions a person can use for each con-
dition. We chose these prescriptions based on what has worked clinically, is
backed by scientific research, and is readily available to the public. You can glance
through the top seven prescriptions and get a feel for what most accurately fits your
symptom picture. After reviewing the super seven, you can start by using the first
choice and see how it affects your condition. Also, you can pick more than one,
for an aggressive approach to help prevent or improve a condition.
Studies. For most of the conditions, we provide concise studies demonstrating the
scientific validity of the supplements we recommend.
General Recommendations. Since there are so many different choices of nutritional
supplements, we also provide a general recommendation section. This includes
other fine choices of supplements that are commonly available for each condition.
Homeopathy. Homeopathy is such a distinct field, compared to other nutritional
practices, and it often requires more detailed information. We include a section on
the most important homeopathic remedies and how to choose one that best fits your
profile.
Acupressure. Most conditions have specific acupressure point recommendations that
can be incorporated for faster, gentler healing.
Bodywork. Bodywork techniques, such as massage and reflexology, are recom-
mended throughout the book for anyone interested in a comprehensive, self-
healing approach.
Aromatherapy. Aromatherapy has had a tremendous surge in popularity in the last
decade. Included here are some of the more effective choices for each condition.
Stress Reduction. Research has proved, time and again, that most health conditions
can be positively or negatively influenced by how you cope with stress. This sec-
tion describes practical, well-tested techniques to reduce the effects of stress and
improve your health.
Bach Flower Remedies. These popular remedies were once found only in hard-core
health food stores. Today they can be purchased in virtually every health food store
and a growing number of pharmacies. A summary of the top choices is given for
each condition.
Other Recommendations. The field of holistic medicine is vast. The “Other Recom-
mendations” section briefly describes potentially helpful holistic therapies for each
condition that were not mentioned in previous sections.
REFERENCES
For the scientifically minded, there is a summarization of the studies that we quoted
for each condition.
2
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How to Use This Book
Part Two, The Essentials of Natural Medicine, gives detailed, user-friendly infor-
mation on the natural healing tools and methods we recommend throughout the book.
It contains helpful advice on the clinical use of Diet and Nutrition, Fasting, Herbal
Medicine, Homeopathy, Bach Flower Remedies, Aromatherapy, Traditional Chinese
Medicine and Acupressure, Hydrotherapy, Natural Hormones, Bodywork, Exercise
and Stress Reduction, and Nutritional Supplements.
Part Three contains a comprehensive glossary of unfamiliar medical terms, as well
as a Resource Guide for Holistic Practitioners. This section describes the training and
the holistic approach of individual practitioners, as well as contact information for a
reliable referral.
3
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