Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Sixth Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs, & Food Supplements

by Phyllis A. Balch

The nation’s #1 bestselling guide to natural remedies, totally revised and updated.

This fully revised edition includes both time-honored, proven strategies and the latest science to arm you with the best natural therapies for your health. In this volume—a reference work of unparalleled authority—the updated material
Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Sixth Edition , is the source for accessible, evidence-based information that serves as a guide for using natural nutritional remedies to achieve and maintain wellness.

Genres: Health, Reference, Nonfiction, Nutrition, Food, Self Help, Medicine

992 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Phyllis Balch, a certified nutritional consultant, was a leading nutritional counselor for more than two decades, and came to the field from after experiencing in her own life the health benefits of diet and nutrition.
Convinced that nutrition was, in many cases, the answer to regaining and maintaining health, Ms. Balch opened a health food store called Good Things Naturally, testified before Congress on the efficacy of natural healing, and in 1983 she published what is now known as Prescription for Nutritional Healing. Through four editions, this book has had millions of readers in many different countries, and has been translated into six foreign languages.

Ms. Balch died in December 2004.

Reviews

[Nickey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book as it appears to be a good source of information but upon reading several sections this morning I am absolutely appalled that some of this advice was even allowed to be published. Twice the author claims that rice and nut "milks" are appropriate substitutes for breastmilk or formula. This could not be further from the truth and is extremely dangerous advice. These products do not contain the necessary fats and other nutrients needed for a baby to survive. There are in fact warnings on the sides of these products for parents to not use them as substitutes.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by a man at Wild Oats in their supplement department as being one of the best resources for nutritional healing. I have used it for a number of reasons - thyroid issues, mononucleosis, fatiguqe, high cholesterol, high blood pressure... etc. for myself and my family. Most topics have 3-5 pages of information about what the issue is in medical terms, things that can be done to mitigate, improve, or in some cases alleviate the issue altogether. Supplements are suggested in categories such as "essential", "important", "helpful", and herbs, spices are also cited that might prove helpful. Diet recommendations are given on types of foods to include or to avoid. My family has found this book tremendously helpful. My husband came down with a severe case of Epstein-Barr a few years ago and he followed the recommendations given in the book with great results. The dr. was surprised how quickly he bounced back, and when the Dr. was told that we had added these supplements to my husband's diet he asked for them to consider recommending them to other people.

This is a book that I refer to regularly and hits almost every topic you could think of. It cites research, what specifically the supplements do to the body to help treat condition, etc. It is not meant to replace medical care, but to enhance it.

[Noodle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very large, very comprehensive guide to alternative medicine, and is split into three parts.

Part 1 deals with overall health, including information on nutrition, vitamins, supplements, etc. The guides in this section explain the various vitamins and supplements available, along with recommended minimum and maximum doses for each (including also the FDA's guidelines when available).

Part 2, which makes up the majority of the book, lists a wide variety if disorders (both common and uncommon). Information on each disorder is given, followed by vitamins, supplements, and therapies that are recommended. The disorders covered are numerous, everything from allergies to cancer.

Part 3 goes into detail about the various remedies and therapies described in the book (from color therapy to hair analysis), and often guides you to where you can find more information on a given subject.

This is certainly an indispensable book for anyone interested in alternative medicines, or for those looking to supplement traditional medicine.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that I have had on my shelf, and referenced, for many years. It has helped me understand the nature of various illnesses (minor and major). The great thing about this book is the index in the back that allows one to instantly look up what is ailing them, and to read nutritional recommendations. Also, this book does not slam traditional medicine. James Balch is an m.d. and his wife is a nutritionist. The book clearly states when it is a good time to consult an m.d. or when prescription medication or surgery may be warranted. I have followed nutritional recommendations and have found them to be effective (i.e. avoid caffeine, nuts,etc. when you have a cold sore and supplement with lysine..) I feel that everyone would benefit by owning a copy of this book. Also, if you are not in the medical profession, it is very helpful to read this book prior to seeing your doctor. You will have a better grasp of your illness and will know what questions to ask during your visit.

[Nichole · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book, but it doesn't have references. Its claims are not backed up by research studies. I can understand that for some sections, the herbals, and natural remedies, but so much of the prescribed diets do not have references even for the warnings, and this woman seems not to have an understanding of heart disease, inflammation, nor cholesterol and how it works in the body. Disappointing... glad I didn't buy it.

[Michael Weber-Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

“A healthy outside starts from the inside” - Robert Urich
The book I chose to read was the Prescription for Nutritional Healing: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements. This book is more like an encyclopedia rather than just a nonfiction book. This book goes into great depth in three main categories: the elements of health, numerous disorders, and remedies/therapies. In the elements of health, sub-categories include, nutrition/dieting/wellness, importance of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, water, and so on. For example, this book discusses how magnesium is a catalyst primarily involved with enzymes of energy production. It can be found in most foods including, but not limited to, dairy products, meat/seafood, apples, avocados, and leafy green vegetables. Topic discussed in the second section of the book consist of a wide variety of health obscurities (anything from arthritis to canker sores, or fibromyalgia to wrinkles) specific explanations of the disorder, how much of what nutrients to best cure the “ailments,” other actions, techniques, and remedies for restoration, and considerations to take into account. The final section of the book goes over the therapies and remedies more clearly and extensively, for instance, hyperbaric oxygen therapy--the administration of oxygen while experiencing high atmospheric pressure. I wanted to read this book because I have always been intrigued by the human body and restoring it to a state of equilibrium, or better, as naturally as possible. In relation to my life, this book went over some natural healing methods my mother has already used as I was growing up. You should read this book because it provides excellent and vast amounts of knowledge on how to heal and maintain your body. If you are interested topics similar to health sciences and don’t bore easy, this book could be an option for you; however, if science does not interest you, and you don’t feel like reading an encyclopedia, this book is probably not the best choice for you.

[Jeniel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would not recommend this book, full opinions of author with nothing to back it up

[Chrisanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's the deal: this life is tough. Some things we deal with and, no matter what we try, we will have to deal with them for the time they're allotted to us.

Other things have solutions: for example my seasonal depression and insomnia. I'm not above taking a prescription when warranted but, when the pandemic caused shortages, and I wasn't allowed to take my kids to my same day urgent appointments, I found my local voodoo lady(who didn't care, btw) and she had a solution. Having been abandoned by 3 prior care providers(when they retired) in as many years, I begged her for the source of her wisdom(just in case the pandemic lasted forever). And this was supposedly it.

It's massive. And it's got some solutions. That being said I don't think it has all the answers. But I'll give it 4 stars for the sheer amount of effort that went into this research. And I wouldn't mind owning it someday. Just in case, you know, I end up needing something when there's a shortage.

[Julie Grace Immink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource!

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* · Rating 4 out of 5]

(also posted on my site The Paperback Stash)

If you're into vitamins, minerals, and supplements, this book will be sure to please you. I'm not one into pill nutrients much, but hold this book in high regard because it is seemingly endless with its information. There are countless disorders, with information on them - then treatments - then final notes. The authors were obviously not in a hurry as some seem to be, or pressed for space. It's a great resource that covers so much more than just what it says it does. There are chapters on vitamins, minerals, herbs, but the great heart of this book is the index referencing various conditions and ailments - everything from research, herbal suggestions, vitamin and mineral therapies with dosage recommendations - wonderful stuff. There are of course some eyebrow raising points, such as how orange juice is bad for everyone, but the authors seem to know their stuff and it shows. Highly recommended.

[Elizabeth Good · Rating 5 out of 5]

My absolute go-to book for many, many years when it comes to any health conditions. It is well- grounded, and although favoring alternative or complementary solutions, there is always a decent nod to medical interventions when necessary, and the pros or cons.

It is so simple to look up anything from a mere insect bite to chronic more serious conditions such as diabetes or crohns disease and see the recommendations and reasoning in a very easy to understand format, with the listings of lifestyle changes, supplements, foods to favor or eliminate, and more—all listed in order of most essential to recommended more generally.

I’ve been using it, as I mentioned, for years, and especially before everything was internet based, couldn’t have managed nearly as well without it! But it still is a treasured resource.

[Dana Arcuri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent resourceful book full of endless information and fabulous natural alternatives to health. I absolutely LOVE it! No matter what medical condition you are dealing with, Prescription for Nutritional Healing, is filled with a chalk full of holistic approaches to wellness.

Everything imaginable is covered in this book ranging from skin disorders, autoimmune diseases, thyroid, heart, ADHD, female issues, allergies and it's endless. Also, there is plenty of helpful information about herbs, vitamins, antioxidants and so much more.

If you prefer alternative health over traditional medicine, this book is perfect. I use this beneficial resource so much that my pages are literally filled with yellow highlighters and tons of bookmarks. I wouldn't go without it!

[Missy LeBlanc Ivey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this enormous book many years ago before we started growing old and riddled with this or that health problem, assuming it would come in handy one day. It is a super comprehensive book on just about any ailment in the world that might hit you, from minor stuff to major. It also provides a list of vitamins and/or herbs for each ailment that might help the situation. It's interesting and very useful as a natural living, self-help sort of book.

[Georgia Carbone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a must-have resource for addressing your health/body concerns through diet and natural supplements. Reading through the general info., and the catalogue of various disorders is also a great way to become aware of the health concerns that are out there and ways to prevent them. Yeah! Preventative medicine!

[Elaine Carmona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro muy interesante y educativo. A mi, personalmente, me sirvió mucho para mi trabajo y se lo recomiendo a cualquier persona que quiera cuidarse su salud y la de las personas que tiene alrededor.

[Ryan Mickels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reference book for what hurts and how to maybe make it better or better yet, avoid ills.

[Sandra Steffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am continually referencing this book for recommendations on how to address health issues for myself and others. I find it to be very helpful and perhaps why I make so few visits to doctors.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a reason this has been America's #1 Guide to Health and Nutrition for many years. I purchase the updated version each time it comes out. An invaluable guide.

[Jenny K · Rating 3 out of 5]

An A to Z guide to supplements.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too unwieldy in its size. A good resource-type book.

[Bunny · Rating 1 out of 5]

I work in the medical field an quickly found tht her suggested dosage amounts are either too high-which is a problem when you have a supplement that can counteract itself when you take too much- or too low which will leave the patient in a state of deficiency setting them up in the direction of diseases an so forth. None of the daily suggested amounts that i looked at are correct also I could not find her sources for whatbshe suggests & in my opinion instead of publishing false information this shouldve jst been left. Peoples lives are at stake & even what she suggested for cancer isnt going to do justice. Not to mention her section of inflammation doesnt even refer to the basics that foods can cause inflammation thus leading to thyroid deficiency other autoimmune diseases as well as cancer, tumor, alzheimers yet as a nutritionist that is common knowledge.
She left a lot of thngs out tht should have been mentioned but if your looking for a description of something & seeking vague remedies its ok but Dr. Google could do that & the dosages are at least a little reliable compared to whats in this book. The whole point of seeking medical knowledge is to improve our health & be in a state of homeostasis. In my opinion i thnk she put this together because its her bible for knowledge but this isnt somethng that was ready for public use, her information is serverely limited my guess based off lack of higher education & experience.

[Puravive Review - Customer Reports [2024] · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mother has an earlier version of this book and I can remember her pulling it out every time my little brother and I got sick. Now, as an adult, I decided to buy a later edition and now I turn to it for healty, natural advice. I strongly and without hesitation suggest this book to anyone who is interested in a more natural way of healing. This book goes over it all, from nutrition to traditional Chinese medicine; from supplements to pain control. The beginning of the book goes through the basics of keeping the body healthy, and gives information about the herbs, supplements, minerals etc. suggested in the second part, which goes over about 300 disorders and natural ways to treat them. The third and final part of the book goes through alternative therapies. Now, more than ever, the world needs to turn back to a healthier way of living. This is the health "bible" to lead our bodies back to the way that they should be.

[RockyMountain Swede · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the earlier versions of this book. Versions 4 and 5 are the best.

Don't buy this edition. Its lousy. It is printed on the flimsiest paper out there, kind of like newspaper weight paper. Its thin and flimsy.

the book is huge & its heavy but it doesn't have any new information. I don't know this for sure, but I think the author Phyllis may no longer be with us. I could be wrong. But someone else is taking it upon themselves to write a new edition of this book & its just not as good as when Phyllis is writing it.


If you get the Fourth Edition, or the Fifth edition, the book is loaded with so much helpful information about food, nutritious food, vitamins, healing, ailments, what to do if... and when. It is one of my favorite books on nutrition & I always have a copy & a back up ~ just in case.

Do buy this book. Just not this 6th edition. Its lousy.

[Joomi Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is why I have mixed feelings about the author's book:

There is both good and bad advice in this book. The author recommends New Age type stuff that I disagree with such as hypnosis/hypnotherapy and similar New Age inspired stuff.

Prevention is the best medicine. Eat, drink, and exercise right and grow your own food from the best quality seeds you can find. If you can't afford to do that then buy the best quality plant food you can afford from the closest CSA/ISA/food co-op/grocery store/food truck, etc. Food banks and food kitchens are other options. Please avoid dining outside your home. It is more expensive than cooking from scratch at home.

It is best to get all your nutrients from the best quality plant food you can afford to grow/buy/acquire somehow.

Most people cannot afford to buy every single supplement that she recommends under Diabetes, for one example.

Even if a supplement maker has a good quality control department one year does not mean it will have a good quality control department the next year.

The USA has lousy food protection laws. Some companies use calcium from sea shells which the human body does NOT absorb. The USA also has lousy labeling laws.

I could go on and on but I think you get the message.

I did buy this book in both Korean and English as gifts for my mom.

[Tyrone Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prescription for Nutritional Healing: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements" is an incredibly informative and useful book for anyone interested in natural health solutions. It covers a wide range of conditions and offers practical advice on using vitamins, herbs, and supplements to improve health. The A-to-Z format makes it easy to look up remedies for specific ailments. If you're considering adding supplements or herbal remedies to your routine, Pharmacy B2B https://www.canadapharmacy.com/ offers a wide selection of high-quality products that could complement the recommendations in this book. It's a great resource for anyone looking to take a more holistic approach to health and wellness.

[Mia Davis]

In general, it was quite interesting to learn something new, but I will not stop studying this topic only on this book. I can say that studying health issues is important because it allows us to understand how to preserve and strengthen our body and mind. A conscious approach to health helps me prevent many diseases. Of course, vitamins play a key role in this process, so I always order them from Canada Drugs to have everything I need at home. I realized a long time ago that vitamins help the body to resist stress and infections better, which is why I am so active in this issue.

[Luann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely the best alternative medicine reference book I ever read. The suggestions have helped me with many of my friends' and family's and my own ailments and challenges. Not only does it explain the many forms of alternative medicine and list suggestions for the different ailments, but also gives great information on what vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other substances are needed and what they do in the body, as well as the negative effects of substance interactions and overdosing. If you only buy one alternative medicine book, this should be the one.

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