Written for nonspecialists by medical professionals, professors in science and medicine, and medical writers, will interest students of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), Eastern medicine and philosophy, life science, and alternative health practices; public library patrons; and librarians building collections in alternative medicine, general medicine, and life science. The set contains 783 alphabetically arranged essays on a variety of topics, including acupuncture, aromatherapy, crystal healing, detoxification, herbal medicine, magnet therapy, probiotics, Qigong, traditional Chinese herbal medicine, vegan diets, and vitamins and minerals. The history of both complementary and alternative medicine is included, as are key figures, such as Deepak Chopra. Other essays discuss important issues such as alternative versus traditional medicine, children's health and CAM, insurance coverage of CAM, pain management, and spirituality and CAM.

Covers all aspects of the subject including therapies, conditions/diseases, herbs/plants, and people. Identifies numerous types of alternative medicine being practiced today, including reflexology, acupressure, acupuncture, chelation therapy, kinesiology, yoga, chiropractic, Feldenkrais, polarity therapy, detoxification, naturopathy, Chinese medicine, biofeedback, Ayurveda and osteopathy.

This database focuses on the many perspectives of complementary, holistic and integrated approaches to health care and wellness. It offers libraries full-text articles for more than 180 international, and often peer-reviewed, journals and reports. In addition, there are hundreds of pamphlets, booklets, special reports, original research and book excerpts. Full-text titles include American Acupuncturist, American Homeopath, Gerson Healing Newsletter, Health & Homeopathy, JOY: The Journal of Yoga, Massage Magazine, Natural Life, Reiki News, Today's Chiropractic Lifestyle, Yoga Journal and many others. Alt HealthWatch provides in-depth coverage across the full spectrum of subject areas covered by complementary and alternative medicine.