Natural Remedies

The remedies and suggestions in this book include some evidence-based natural remedies in addition to the things I have found work well for my patients, evidence-based or not.

Natural Remedies was initially meant to be a simple re-write of my section of the popular book, Help Yourself: the A-Z of natural cures for common complaints, I co-authored with Jan Castorina way back in the last century. However, simple didn’t happen, as I had not accounted for three factors.

First has been the appearance of Doctor Google, who was not born when I wrote the first book, but whose presence is now ubiquitous. Doctor Google has a Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde persona. The positive Doctor Google allows a wealth of access to medical information for the average bear that was previously the closely guarded possession of medical professionals. The negative Doctor Google allows a wealth of access to misguided and possibly dangerous health information that the average untrained bear may not realise is incorrect.

Secondly, evidence-based medicine has arisen as the practice du jour for both mainstream and naturopathic medicine. Basically it means ‘show me the research’, with large randomised control trials being the preferred research tool. Trouble is, these trials are expensive to undertake, and few have been done on herbal remedies, (with a couple of notable exceptions including St John’s Wort which came up very nicely when compared to prescription antidepressants) and it’s extremely difficult to ‘placebo’ lifestyle changes such as increasing exercise, avoiding sugar or practising belly breathing. The cynic would say that the larger trials are mostly funded by wealthy pharmaceutical companies that are looking to patent and sell medicines, as you can’t patent a herb or a vitamin or a breathing technique. But that would be cynical.

Grow Your Own Medicine

A guide to growing health-giving plants in your own backyard.

The medicinal powers of herbs, vegetables and fruit have been revered for thousands of years. This practical guide shows you how to grow and use these plants to prevent disease, treat everyday ailments and promote general good health.

More than sixty plants and their properties are discussed in detail, from echinacea to fight colds and boost the immune system, to cabbage to ward off cancer; from thyme-oil antiseptic to ginger compresses for cramps; and from arthritis-relieving potato poultices to libido-boosting damiana tea. Whether you have a small vegie patch - or the space to create one - or room in a courtyard or balcony for a few pots, this book will show you how easy it is to create an organic medicine cabinet in your own backyard. Plant your way to good health!

• Purchase Grow Your Own Medicine for Kindle directly from Amazon.

TEA Health & Happiness

Mim Beim explores the world of tea - its history, its uses and its limitless variety.

This is a book packed with useful tips and celebration of tea in all its forms.

Worldwide, tea is the most commonly consumed beverage after water. Long regarded as a refreshing drink, tea has now been shown to have extraordinary health benefits.

Packed with useful and inspiring tips to help you get the most out of your daily cuppa, this delightful book is a celebration of tea in all its forms, from the everyday English Breakfast to the most exotic herbal tisane.

Feelgood Food

Feelgood Food offers an abundance of foods that treat and prevent a range of medical conditions, from acne to cystitis to tonsillitis.

Recipes & menus for healthier Australian families

Food plays a huge role in our daily lives. Among other things, we use it as fuel for our bodies; for its medicinal properties; for comfort; as a reward; as a gift; and for entertainment. While not conceived as a book for sick people, Feelgood Food (co-written by Gül McCarty) offers an abundance of foods that treat and prevent a range of medical conditions, from acne to cystitis to tonsillitis.

Eating Well

This book was written when I was teaching first year nutrition to naturopathic students.

The Commonsense Guide to Eating Well for the Nutritionally Bewildered

Another great title (not!) that probably perplexed the punters. This book was written when I was teaching first year nutrition to naturopathic students. I find nutrition fascinating… really!

The Commonsense Guide to Eating Well for the Nutritionally Bewildered tells you all about the nuts and bolts of food. What is protein… why do we need it? What exactly is an omega 3 fatty acid, and why are they so darned good for us?

Nutrition for Slobs

This book was written for people who like to indulge, explains exactly what happens in the body, and what you can do/take to mitigate any harm.

Natural health for people who live in the real world

Wasn’t a great choice for a title. You live and learn! People surprisingly didn’t want to be labelled slobs. I actually meant “slobs” in an affectionate way… most of us enjoy a glass of wine, cup of coffee, even a cigarette or puff of marijuana. It happens. This book was written for people who like to indulge, explains exactly what happens in the body, and what you can do/take to mitigate any harm. Great cartoons by Nick Bleasel.

Beaming with Health

Beaming with Health was my first book, written in 1993. It still encapsulates my philosophy of health.

The simple guide to feeling good

Beaming with Health was my first book, written in 1993. It still encapsulates my philosophy of health. Enjoy the wonderful cartoons by the very talented Cathy Wilcox.