The 24-Hour Pharmacist – Book Review

As you know, I am a regular participant in the MotherTalk cyber book tours. The way it works is that the organizers, Marjorie and Andi, will send out monthly emails announcing which books are up for review, asking who would like to review what book. I usually only pick one a month because I can’t manage more than that. It is actually really fun, because the subject matter is so diverse and there is an eclectic mix of novels, ‘how tos’, in depth studies etc. I am always tempted to pick the novels, because I haven’t had the luxury of reading a novel in AGES (approx 2 yrs and 6 months), but I always go for the book that I think I would benefit from. They are usually ‘how to’ books about kids – how to get your child to sleep / eat / not scream etc. I read the book on the loo and sometimes in bed, just before I pass out go to sleep.

When I saw this book on the list, it immediately caught my eye. The description went as follows:

“As a pharmacist for almost two decades, Suzy Cohen knows that medication can often be invaluable. But she has also learned to “think outside the pill” and recommend natural options that are often just as good or better at promoting health without the risk of dangerous, drug-induced side effects. In this comprehensive, one-of-a-kind resource, she discusses topics such as solutions for snoring bed partners, whether vitamin pills are worthless, keeping your cool in the midst of a hot flash, losing weight, and alternatives to antidepressants.”

Yeah, it was that ‘alternatives to antidepressants’ that clinched the deal for me.

I got the book in the post and sat down on my throne to start reading it the next morning. After the first few pages, I knew I was going to love this book! I love this woman, she is so funny. I love how she writes, as if she is talking to a friend. It was actually really funny, I was trying so hard to read each chapter in order (doing a professional critique), but every now and then I just couldn’t help myself and I would quickly page to the depression chapter, or back again to the weight chapter.

Love this book, love it! Suzy tackles the main health issues and tells you why it happens and what you can do about it, naturally. Look, I am not a big tree hugging, incense burning, granola eating wheat grass lover. I love my additives, preservatives and traditional medicine as much as the next modern day consumer. But I do recognize the value of alternative therapies. I am always keen to give the natural stuff a chance. At least initially.

The problem is, of course, which bloody piece of tree bark to snort, or which potion of bat urine to drink. There are so many, how on earth do I know which one to take. Well, Susy tells you exactly what you need to take for which ailment. And even better, she gives you options and tells you which ones to try first.

I really, really like this book. I like the way she has written it, I like the way she has researched it, and I like that it is not a big ethno bongo airy fairy in-touch-with-your-inner-tied-died kind of book. It is a book that even a capitalist, materialist pig like myself can read and learn from.

I am definitely going to use some of her advice in the book, especially around the stress issues. Makes sense, what she says about stress. Going to take the book with me to the health store and do some shopping.

Divine book, highly recommended. For tree huggers and plastic lovers alike.

Read more here

Buy it here 

Comments

[Andrea]

Your review was actually hilarious! You have me cracking up over here (waaaay over here, another continent, hiya!). Sounds like a good book. And posts like this remind me why I keep coming back to your blog over and over.

[Laura(southernxy)]

What'd she say about the snoring?

[Ruth]

sounds fantastic. i hate that many medicines kill the symptoms (as do booze and drugs :( . . .) but don't get to the cause of problems, so you end up in a cycle of taking stuff to kill this side effect of tha medication, and on and on and on . . . you would be a superb advocate for alternative thinking (well, you already are), so read on macduff.

[Heather]

Great review. I took a look at the book online and I agree, this looks like an awesome read! I think I just might order it for myself.

[witch spells]

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