07/22/2025 / By Ramon Tomey
In an era where healthcare is rapidly evolving, Sherry Torkos’ “The Canadian Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine” stands out as a vital resource that merges conventional medicine with alternative therapies. This comprehensive guide is rooted in scientific research and offers readers a balanced perspective on achieving optimal health through natural means.
Natural medicine has gained increasing recognition in recent years, fueled by growing concerns about pharmaceutical side effects, drug interactions and rising healthcare costs. Many modern medications are derived from plant-based compounds, yet pharmaceutical treatments often fail to address holistic wellness – including diet, exercise, sleep and environmental influences.
Torkos’ work reflects this paradigm shift, advocating for natural remedies alongside conventional treatments rather than as outright replacements. Her personal health struggles shaped her approach.
As a teenager suffering from undiagnosed celiac disease, she faced persistent symptoms – abdominal pain, fatigue and skin rashes – without relief from multiple doctors. Instead of effective treatment, she received unnecessary medications until a physician finally recognized her condition and prescribed a gluten-free diet.
This experience drove her to explore holistic healing – using vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids to restore her health. It also instilled in her a lifelong commitment to bridging the gap between conventional and natural medicine.
Torkos’ book is divided into five key sections, each providing actionable strategies for preventing and treating health conditions. The first section emphasizes foundational lifestyle habits, covering both macronutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals) necessary for bodily function.
She highlights functional foods – nutrient-rich options like apples, berries, cherries and red grapes – that offer antioxidant benefits beyond basic nutrition. Physical activity, sleep hygiene and stress management techniques are also explored in depth.
The second section serves as a reference for 66 common dietary supplements, details their uses and benefits. Torkos advises cautious, informed supplementation, noting that natural remedies often require weeks or months to show full effects.
She encourages collaboration with healthcare professionals – including naturopaths, dietitians, massage therapists and chiropractors – to tailor holistic treatments to individual needs. Homeopathy is also discussed, along with 25 conditions best addressed through homeopathic medicine.
In the third section, Torkos examines an extensive list of health conditions ranging from heart disease and diabetes, to cancer and depression. She provides conventional treatment insights alongside natural therapies.
Each condition’s causes, symptoms and risk factors are outlined, followed by dietary adjustments, lifestyle recommendations and supplement suggestions. She stresses flexibility, urging readers to adapt these strategies gradually rather than attempting an overnight overhaul.
Throughout the book, Torkos underscores the body’s innate healing capacity when supported by proper nutrition, stress reduction and balanced lifestyle choices. Her goal is not to dismiss conventional medicine but to integrate its strengths with scientifically validated natural therapies. This philosophy makes “The Canadian Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine” an indispensable guide for anyone seeking a proactive, informed approach to health – whether for prevention, treatment, or collaborative discussions with healthcare providers.
Ultimately, Torkos’ work exemplifies the convergence of traditional and alternative medicine, offering readers both the knowledge and tools to take charge of their well-being holistically. In a world where pharmaceutical dependence is increasingly scrutinized, her book provides a refreshing, evidence-based perspective on sustainable, nature-driven healthcare.
Watch this video about the book “The Canadian Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine” by Sherry Torkos.
This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com.
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alternative medicine, Cures, food cures, food is medicine, functional foods, healing, herbal medicine, Homeopathy, natural cures, natural health, natural medicine, Naturopathy, nutrients, plant medicine, prevention, remedies, Sherry Torkos, The Canadian Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine
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