The publication of a medical textbook for a new or emerging field always signals a turning point—a shift toward greater awareness of theories, basic science research, and modes of clinical practice at the cutting edge of medicine. Essentials of Complementary and Alternative Medicine represents just such a coming of age for an important new clinical and scientific field. With this book and the forthcoming and comprehensive Textbook of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, information is available in one place on the social and scientific foundations of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and the safety of CAM products and practices, and providing detailed overviews of most CAM systems.
