Better Sex Naturally: A Consumer's Guide to Herbs and Other Natural Supplements That Can Jump Start Your Sex Life

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing lack of credibility
Review: I didn't really know what to expect when I first leafed through "Better Sex Naturally," but it wasn't a chemistry lesson! This is the first book that ever explained to me WHY stress (and other stuff!) is bad for me, and exactly what the effects are on the body. Then the author, Dr. Meletis, explains the chemistry of herbs like gingko and ginseng and why they help against stress in ways that improve better sexual function, and even libido. That's what knocked me out--it wasn't a bunch of voodoo, although I did enjoy learning about the folklore uses, then the scientific reasons for why they work. I loaned my copy to a friend, who later said she had been taking gingko for another reason, but was noticing some sexual improvement, and this book explained why. The book also explains a lot about how everyday choices wear away our health and our sex drive, and what to do about it, in addition to taking these herbs. There's no shortage of "how to eat better" books out there, but this one gives some really compelling reasons, putting them in the context of our whole lives, including sex. Even if you're not ready to give up some favorite vices, like beer and coffee, at least this book tells you how to offset some of that damage, and it speaks to both men and women. If you only read one self-help book this year, make it this one! It deals with a lot more than sex, and will make you think twice about what you do every day.

Rating:
Summary: Well-Written, Convincing
Review: I found this book fascinating, but then, I like reading herbals--which is probably a bit weird to begin with. The information is well-documented, without throwing out too many interesting and promising remedies simply because they have yet to be studied in the lab. I bought the book because I collect herbal books, so I can't personally recommend any of the remedies, but many of them sound like they're well worth trying.

Rating:
Summary: Authors respond to "A Reader"
Review: The authors of Better Sex Naturally wish to respond to the assertions of "A Reader" and guide interested parties to source materials from which they may make their own assessment: --Gingko: The effectiveness and safety of this dosage (120-240 mg of standardized 24% extract) is well established by dozens of clinical studies published in peer-reviewed medical journals, several of which were cited in the book. Additionally, the German E Commission (which shares some of the same oversight functions as the US FDA) notes on pages 136-138 (First edition 1998, Integrative Medicine Communications) that taken at this level, there is no known overdosage and no known restrictions in pregnant and lactating women (though we do not recommend these women take herbal or pharmaceutical preparations without checking with the family physician). Side effects mentioned in the E Commission report as occurring only very seldom include GI upset, headache and skin rash. Additionally, Dr. Meletis has prescribed this level of gingko to many patients with no such side effects as "A Reader" describes. --Testosterone production by the adrenal glands: The authors draw "A Reader's" attention to A Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests, 5th Edition, Frances Fishbach, p. 376, copyright 1996, as but one of many authoritative sources on which this statement is based. --"Tonic" or adaptogenic herbs: The authors cited the work of Varro Tyler, Ph.D., Sc.D., who surveyed ginseng research (Better Sex Naturally, p. 26), and Healing Power of Herbs (p. 268) by Michael Murray, N.D., who describes ginseng's effect as an adaptogenic herb that has a "normalizing action irrespective of the direction of the pathological state." --Up-to-date: The book's scientific sources draw almost exclusively on research conducted or published in the 1990s, cited from peer-reviewed scientific publications. Further, the bibliography lists more than 50 authoritative books and articles by M.D.s, Ph.D.s, N.D.s and other professionals to support many of the contentions and clinical observations in Better Sex Naturally. Older references were cited occasionally to substantiate historical use. --Credibility: Licensed naturopathic doctors are the only primary care-type physicians in the U.S. who receive scientific training in pharmacognosy (the biochemical actions of herbs and medicinal uses) in a four-year medical school, and use it clinically. Health professionals who wish to correspond with Dr. Meletis about his sources and clinical experience in treating conditions discussed in Better Sex Naturally are invited to contact him via HarperCollins.

Rating:
Summary: Authors respond to "A Reader"
Review: The authors of Better Sex Naturally wish to respond to the assertions of "A Reader" and guide interested parties to source materials from which they may make their own assessment: --Gingko: The effectiveness and safety of this dosage (120-240 mg of standardized 24% extract) is well established by dozens of clinical studies published in peer-reviewed medical journals, several of which were cited in the book. Additionally, the German E Commission (which shares some of the same oversight functions as the US FDA) notes on pages 136-138 (First edition 1998, Integrative Medicine Communications) that taken at this level, there is no known overdosage and no known restrictions in pregnant and lactating women (though we do not recommend these women take herbal or pharmaceutical preparations without checking with the family physician). Side effects mentioned in the E Commission report as occurring only very seldom include GI upset, headache and skin rash. Additionally, Dr. Meletis has prescribed this level of gingko to many patients with no such side effects as "A Reader" describes. --Testosterone production by the adrenal glands: The authors draw "A Reader's" attention to A Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests, 5th Edition, Frances Fishbach, p. 376, copyright 1996, as but one of many authoritative sources on which this statement is based. --"Tonic" or adaptogenic herbs: The authors cited the work of Varro Tyler, Ph.D., Sc.D., who surveyed ginseng research (Better Sex Naturally, p. 26), and Healing Power of Herbs (p. 268) by Michael Murray, N.D., who describes ginseng's effect as an adaptogenic herb that has a "normalizing action irrespective of the direction of the pathological state." --Up-to-date: The book's scientific sources draw almost exclusively on research conducted or published in the 1990s, cited from peer-reviewed scientific publications. Further, the bibliography lists more than 50 authoritative books and articles by M.D.s, Ph.D.s, N.D.s and other professionals to support many of the contentions and clinical observations in Better Sex Naturally. Older references were cited occasionally to substantiate historical use. --Credibility: Licensed naturopathic doctors are the only primary care-type physicians in the U.S. who receive scientific training in pharmacognosy (the biochemical actions of herbs and medicinal uses) in a four-year medical school, and use it clinically. Health professionals who wish to correspond with Dr. Meletis about his sources and clinical experience in treating conditions discussed in Better Sex Naturally are invited to contact him via HarperCollins.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing lack of credibility
Review: While the primary author is a degreed naturopath, more than a few people believe that advice given by an MD is more credible than that given by an ND. One might think that naturopaths would give better advice on herbs, but this book is not a testament to that supposition. For example, the author recommends a dose of ginkgo that would induce unpleasant side effects in some people, not to mention a risk of death. The author's scientific knowledge is not up-to-date; for example, he has a poor understanding of which endocrine organs manufacture testosterone in women. He also demonstrates a distressing amount of naiveté by falling for the concept of "tonic" herbs in which a given herb can supposedly produce antithetical effects depending on the needs of the patient who takes it. Apart from these scientific faux pas, the book has a lot of insipid content and not much useful information.