The best 40 Medicine & Natural Remedies books

Genome (2006, second edition) takes you on an exciting journey into your own body, exploring the genetic building blocks that make up not only who you are but also all life on earth. You’ll examine the basics of genetics and discover what genes influence, from aging to illness to even your own personality. Importantly, you’ll better understand why the future of healthcare and wellness may be found in the human genome.

Do You Believe in Magic? (2013) uncovers the hidden truth behind the alternative medicine. With insightful research findings and revealing case studies, these blinks will make us rethink our beliefs about supposedly all-natural treatments, and their less than healing side effects.

Missing Microbes (2014) explores the strange and microscopic world inside your guts. It sheds light on the crucial role played by microbes – tiny creatures that keep your body happy and healthy – and explains the dangers of overusing antibiotics.

The medical world is on the brink of a revolution thanks to new and future technology like Big Data health maps and bacteria scanners that can attach to smartphones. Power is shifting from the doctor to the patient, and self-treatment and self-diagnoses are becoming unprecedentedly powerful. The Patient Will See You Now (2015) outlines these changes and what they mean for both you and the healthcare world.

Super Immunity (2011) reveals the secret to a better, stronger immune system and healthier body: superfoods. These blinks shed light on the shortcomings of modern medicine and teach you how to take advantage of the healing powers of plant foods rich in nutrients and phytochemicals.

The Vitamin Solution (2015) offers a clear picture of the world of vitamins to help you determine whether you need them, why you might need them and what they can do to improve your everyday life. Cut through the clutter and confusion and find out which vitamins are essential for a healthy body and mind and how you can put yourself on the path to better living.

Napoleon’s Buttons (2004) is all about the molecules that have guided the course of human history in the unlikeliest of ways. These blinks explore how major geopolitical and social changes can be traced back to the simple bonding of atoms in a molecule.

The Sleep Solution (2017) discusses the fundamentals of sleeping. It explains why keeping a consistent rhythm and schedule is important, and how insomnia is not a lack of sleep, but rather a result of dealing poorly with substandard sleep. You’ll learn how to improve your sleeping patterns and, as a result, improve your quality of life.

A Crack in Creation (2017) describes everything you need to know about CRISPR, a new technique to alter the genes of living organisms. These blinks explain the scientific details of gene editing, while also discussing its medical and ethical implications.

Cure (2016) is your guide to the healing power of the mind. These blinks explain the true depth of the placebo effect, how hypnosis can cure illnesses and explain the fascinating, scientifically-supported alternatives to the painkillers and surgeries so prominent in Western medicine.

Clean (2009) puts our bodies and environment under the microscope. It reveals just how many toxins we’re constantly exposing ourselves to, which include dangerous toxins in our food and harmful emissions, coming from both indoors and out. Fortunately, we can detoxify. So find out what steps you need to take to rid your body of the unhealthy residue that is currently increasing your chances for all sorts of cancers and diseases.

An American Sickness (2017) takes an honest look at the state of the American health-care system and frankly diagnoses its many ailments. When big business started taking over what were once charitable organizations, things began to go truly wrong. Rosenthal presents valuable information on how to reduce health-care bills and not get taken for a ride by greedy hospitals and over-prescribing doctors.

Ask Me About My Uterus (2018) explores one woman’s struggle with endometriosis. Shining a light on the devastating impact of this little-understood disease, these blinks also explore the sexism of the healthcare industry, which often compounds patients’ suffering. Drawing on personal experience and delving into scientific research, Ask Me About My Uterus explores the painful intersection of sickness and inequality.

Nine Pints (2018) explores the rich but neglected story of blood. Taking a panoramic view and approaching the subject from multiple angles, Rose George looks into the science of blood and details some of the institutions, businesses and taboos that have arisen around this vital fluid.

The Body: A Guide for Occupants (2019) is an entertaining and fact-filled account of how we all work. With his trademark wit, Bill Bryson explains the astonishing ways in which our bodies are put together, and what goes on inside them.

Chasing the Sun (2019) delivers a fascinating account of the sun’s influence on our day-to-day lives. Throughout history, humans have worshipped the sun and touted its restorative, healing properties. As author Linda Geddes explains, science clearly shows that the sun is one of the most important elements of our health and well-being.

Deep Medicine (2019) explores how artificial intelligence could dramatically reshape the health-care industry, from how illnesses are diagnosed to the ways patients are cared for. Our current experience of care is “shallow,” as overworked clinicians rush through patients without truly empathizing, listening, or being present. Artificial intelligence has the power to change this – and, perhaps paradoxically, to bring the human side back to medicine.

The Mystery of the Exploding Teeth (2018) charts some of the most interesting and unpredictable events in the emergence of modern medicine. From tragic operations to bizarre cures, these blinks explore a history of medicine that most doctors would prefer to ignore.

Our Malady (2020) explores why the American health care system not only fails to keep people healthy but also denies their freedom. It identifies the shortcomings of the present system, the dire ramifications, and why other countries don’t suffer the same fate.

Extra Life (2021) looks at some of the breakthroughs that allowed the global human life expectancy to double in just one hundred years. From seat belts to explosives, from Ireland to Constantinople, it’s an account as gripping as it is wide-ranging.

Stealing Fire (2017) explores the controversial and exciting pursuit of altered states of consciousness. From tech entrepreneurs to BASE jumpers, meditators to festival-goers, it takes readers on a whirlwind tour of the revolutionary nonconformists trying to change the way they experience the world.

Vaxxers (2021) follows the race to develop a functional vaccine to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Professor Sarah Gilbert and Dr. Catherine Green, of the University of Oxford, deliver captivating and informative insight into the process of designing, testing, and manufacturing the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in record time. They recount exciting moments of innovation, as well as the hurdles faced along the way.

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (2013) is a guide to healing the body through lifestyle interventions. Wentz offers practical suggestions for people with Hashimoto’s, including recommendations for tests and dietary changes, so they can get on the right track toward feeling better.

Stem Cells (2021) provides an introduction to stem cells – how they’re used by scientists, the therapies that exist today, and what the near future holds. It focuses on the medical and scientific consideration of stem cells and only briefly considers ethical, political, and legal aspects. This “very short introduction” is part of a series of over 650 short introductions covering myriad subjects in every discipline.

Ayurveda (1984) explores the ancient Indian art of healing and wellness, offering an enlightening guide to achieving harmony in body, mind, and spirit. It presents practical instructions on customizing diet, exercise, and sleep routines based on one’s unique physical constitution, or dosha. Through Ayurveda, all of us can find a pathway to a healthier, more balanced life. 

The Web That Has No Weaver (2000) is a classic introduction to Chinese medicine. The product of years of research and a close reading of original sources, it provides an in-depth yet accessible overview of a millenia-old tradition of healing and its philosophical foundations. 

Psychedelics and Psychotherapy (2021) is a thoughtful exploration of how substances and techniques like ayahuasca, MDMA, and holotropic breathwork can unlock our innate capacity for wholeness. Combining wisdom from Indigenous cultures with insights from Western psychology and science, it reveals how psychedelic experiences allow people to access and process repressed emotions and memories, which can help them heal from various mental health challenges. Simultaneously, it stresses the importance of context and intention behind psychedelic use, recommending guided sessions with trained facilitators who can lead people through psychedelic experiences safely and responsibly.

Built from Broken (2021) is your guide to injury prevention and natural pain relief. Whether you’re a couch potato, fitness enthusiast, or full-on athlete – this new approach to understanding joint health will lead you out of the pain/injury cycle toward a stronger, more functional body.

Beyond the Pill (2019) is a guide to navigating the variety of health issues caused by the birth control pill. Whether or not women continue to take the pill, they can gain insight into their mental and physical health, and take active steps to feel better.

It's Not Hysteria (2024) sheds light on the most common issues and concerns around reproductive health. Even though these issues affect almost all people with a uterus throughout their lifetime, they’re still often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or dismissed. This comprehensive guide empowers you to take control of your gynecologic health by providing information on common conditions and potential treatment options and giving practical tips.

Trippy (2024) explores therapeutic uses of the psychedelic drug ayahuasca, and the rise of retreats that promise life-changing experiences. Weaving together personal anecdotes and science-based research, it begs the question: Is ayahuasca worth the cost, and the risk?

Good Energy (2024) explores the connection between metabolism and a wide range of health conditions, from depression to heart disease and cancer. These diverse ailments, it argues, can often be traced back to the same underlying issue: metabolic dysfunction. The upshot? One of the best things you can do for your health is to boost your metabolism – and that’s much simpler than you think. 

On Call (2024) is a unique memoir that offers an insider’s perspective on the challenges and triumphs of battling some of the most significant public health crises of our time. It provides valuable insights into the intersection of science, politics, and society, making it an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of modern public health in the US.

Tapping (2024) explores the practice of Emotional Freedom Techniques which combine elements of cognitive therapy with acupressure to promote physical and emotional healing. It explains how tapping on specific meridian points while focusing on emotional issues can help alleviate stress, anxiety, and other psychological challenges.

Magic Pill (2024) examines the revolutionary impact of new weight loss drugs like Ozempic, analyzing both their advantages and potential risks. Delving into society’s problematic relationship with food, body image, and enjoyment, it highlights the significant changes – good and bad – that these drugs could bring to our world.

In "Illness as Metaphor," Susan Sontag examines the way society has historically stigmatized and romanticized certain illnesses, such as tuberculosis and cancer, by attaching metaphorical meanings to them. She argues that these metaphors not only perpetuate harmful stereotypes but also hinder our understanding and treatment of the diseases themselves. Sontag calls for a more rational and compassionate approach to illness, free from the burden of metaphorical interpretations.

Between Heaven and Earth by Harriet Beinfield explores the principles and practices of traditional Chinese medicine. It delves into the concepts of yin and yang, the five elements, and the meridian system, offering a holistic approach to health and healing. With insightful case studies and practical advice, this book provides a deeper understanding of the connection between our bodies, minds, and the world around us.

Medical Medium by Anthony William delves into the world of alternative medicine and offers insights into the underlying causes of various chronic illnesses and conditions. Drawing on his unique ability to communicate with a spirit he calls the "Spirit," William provides unconventional yet compelling advice on how to heal and prevent disease through diet, supplements, and lifestyle changes.

Quantum-Touch by Richard Gordon is a revolutionary book that explores the power of energy healing. It delves into the principles and techniques of using life force energy to facilitate healing, offering practical exercises and real-life examples. Whether you are new to the concept of energy healing or an experienced practitioner, this book provides valuable insights and guidance for harnessing the potential of quantum-touch.

ThetaHealing by Vianna Stibal explores the power of the Theta brainwave and how it can be used to create instant healing and transformation. The book delves into the author's personal journey and experiences with ThetaHealing, as well as providing practical techniques and exercises for readers to tap into their own Theta state and make positive changes in their lives.