When The Natural Remedies Encyclopedia arrived at my house, I was floored by its sheer presence—a massive hardback, clocking in at over 1,000 pages. It’s not just a book; it’s a health fortress, easily one of the best household healthcare resources I’ve ever stumbled across. I’ve already got a few personal stories tied to its pages, and I’m convinced it’s a must-have for any home looking to tackle illness, first aid, and way beyond.
Take last month, for example. I’d been wrestling with a nagging sinus headache that felt like a tiny drummer had taken up residence in my skull. Flipping open the book—guided by the genius “Find It Fast” table of contents printed right on the inside covers—I landed on a hydrotherapy suggestion: a hot foot bath with a cold compress on the forehead.
The front cover’s quick-reference TOC pointed me to hydrotherapy, and the color-coded tabs on the page edges got me there in seconds. I set it up, feeling a bit silly with my feet in a steaming tub and a damp cloth on my face, but within 20 minutes, the headache melted away. I couldn’t help but think of my dad, who’d always sworn by “old-school fixes” like this.
The book even comes with a companion DVD, Hydrotherapy in Action (available on Internet Archive), which I later watched to perfect my technique. With 126 water therapy treatments detailed—complete with photos and illustrations—it’s the first book I’ve owned that dives this deep into the subject.
Then there’s the herb section, spotlighting “126 of the most important herbs” with vibrant color photos. My neighbor, a gardening nut, had gifted me some fresh peppermint, and I’d been battling an upset stomach after a questionable takeout decision. The encyclopedia’s instructions were crystal-clear: steep the leaves for tea, use sparingly, and expect relief. Sipping it brought back memories of my aunt brewing something similar when I was a kid—turns out, she was onto something. The book’s warnings about overuse sealed the deal for me; it’s thorough and doesn’t mess around.
Navigating this beast is a breeze, thanks to its encyclopedia format. Beyond the detailed table of contents up front, there’s a disease index and general index at the back—perfect for my scatterbrained moments.
The sections, like the one on pregnancy (with safe herbs and a delivery guide) or Dr. John Harvey Kellogg’s 95 healing formulas in the disease chapters, are a goldmine. My sister, expecting her first kid, borrowed it for the pregnancy section and hasn’t stopped raving about it. Meanwhile, the basic anatomy illustrations helped me explain a sprained ankle to my nephew when he took a tumble off his bike.
As a Seventh Day Adventist-authored book, it’s steeped in faith—Ellen White’s 8 Laws of Health get full coverage, alongside scriptural support and writings on faith and healing. Pictures of the Savior dot the pages, and the final section, “A Better Way of Life,” reads like a heartfelt testimony of Christ. It’s not just practical; it’s personal. The dietetic section broke down nutrients and flagged chemicals to avoid, while the prepper-friendly emergency chapter taught me first-aid tricks I wish I’d known during last year’s power outage.
This isn’t a lightweight read—it’s a powerhouse. From poisonous plant photos (a lifesaver for my curious dog) to the Hippocratic Oath and resource lists for herbs and veggie cookbooks, it’s got it all. My only hiccup? I occasionally get lost flipping between sections, but the colored tabs save me every time. The Natural Remedies Encyclopedia has woven itself into my life, sparking stories and solutions I’ll be sharing for years. If you’re after a health resource that’s equal parts wisdom and heart, this one’s a keeper.