The New York Times Guide to Alternative Health

Self-healing can be a long journey--one that starts with having to wade through miles of misinformation and flavor-of-the-week hype. In an attempt to help sort out the hodgepodge of material on various methods of improving your health, Jane Brody and Denise Grady have assembled a book filled with carefully analyzed articles written by themselves and the reporters of The New York Times. Insightful and informative, The New York Times Guide to Alternative Health doesn't present a specific how-to plan for anyone; rather, it provides readers with a practical reference tool for everything from herbs to homeopathy.

The chapters are divided into general categories, most of which involve items that are ingested. Herbs, foods, minerals, vitamins, combination supplements... the list seems endless. Remaining chapters are devoted to a variety of more physical remedies like tai chi, acupuncture, massage, and meditation. In every case, you'll find a distinctive newspaper style quite different from the personal--not to say touchy-feely--format of most alternative health books. After noting the studies and statistics cited, even the hardiest skeptics may decide to add a daily multivitamin or reconsider hormone replacement therapy. Some of the writers are the biggest skeptics around; as one says on the topic of vitamin-rich cosmetics, "I've been known to skip the workout and just tone my eyelashes." Whether you're a chronic doubter or have a tendency to believe everything you read, this guide has a deserved spot on the shelf, especially as a reference for double-checking suggestions from Web sites, well-meaning friends, or other less straightforward sources. --Jill Lightner