Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 Stars)
Based on: Customer reviews, user testimonials, and industry feedback
Price: $37 digital / $45.99 print + digital
Author: Dr. John Herzog, Board-Certified Osteopathic Surgeon
Pages: 478-694 pages (varies by edition)
What Real Customers Are Saying
Positive Feedback (Majority of Reviews)
Comprehensiveness: Most users praise the book’s extensive coverage. As one Goodreads reviewer stated: “This book is absolutely fabulous. It covers every single kind of issue that you or your family could have. I like to think of the book itself as an elderly grandmother who takes you into her kitchen and points out things you never would think of using and shows you how to cure the people you love.”
Practical Application: Multiple reviewers report actually using the remedies successfully. One customer shared: “I’ve been able to address minor health issues with natural remedies and reduce my reliance on pharmaceuticals.”
Organization and Accessibility: The A-to-Z index format receives consistent praise. Users appreciate being able to quickly find remedies for specific conditions without wading through unnecessary information.
Scientific Backing: Unlike many herbal remedy books, reviewers note that Dr. Herzog includes references to scientific studies, lending credibility to the recommendations.
What the Book Actually Contains
Content Structure (Based on User Reports):
13 Chapters Covering:
- Purpose of the book and how to use it
- Understanding survival medicine
- Building a survival medicine kit
- First aid fundamentals
- Respiratory issues
- Digestive problems
- Skin conditions
- Pain management
- Infections and wounds
- Mental health and stress
- Caregiver support and elderly care
- Long-term health management
- Herb and plant index
Actual Remedies Mentioned by Reviewers:
- Coffee for diabetes prevention – 2-3 cups daily may reduce type 2 diabetes risk
- Black pepper with turmeric – Enhances curcumin absorption by 2,000%
- Bay laurel compresses – For pain management
- Nigella sativa (black cumin) – For infections
- Flaxseed – For blood pressure management
- Ginger – For arthritis and inflammation
- Various herbal teas, tinctures, and poultices
Strengths (According to Users)
1. Author Credibility
Dr. Herzog is a board-certified osteopathic surgeon in Falmouth, Maine with 20+ years of experience. His background as an osteopath (trained to handle diverse medical situations) adds legitimacy that users appreciate.
2. Evidence-Based Approach
From Lifehack review: “Dr. Herzog’s medical background lends credibility to the content, and the book does a commendable job of balancing traditional wisdom with scientific evidence… often includes references to scientific studies and explanations of how certain ingredients work.”
3. User-Friendly Design
Multiple reviewers mention high-quality images, clear illustrations, and well-organized tables that make plant identification and preparation methods straightforward.
4. Emergency Preparedness Focus
The book goes beyond everyday ailments to cover survival medicine scenarios – wound care, infection management, and situations when professional medical help isn’t available.
5. Holistic Health Approach
Reviewers appreciate that the book addresses diet, exercise, mental well-being, and lifestyle factors alongside herbal remedies.
6. Accessibility
Remedies use ingredients commonly found in kitchens or easily obtainable from local stores, making them practical for everyday use.
Criticisms and Limitations
From Professional Reviews:
1. Overwhelming for Beginners Lifehack reviewer notes: “While the book is thorough, it can be overwhelming due to the sheer volume of information presented. Readers new to home remedies might find it challenging to know where to start.”
2. Heavy Focus on Natural Remedies Some reviewers note: “Some readers might find the extensive focus on natural remedies to the exclusion of conventional treatments limiting… it is heavily weighted towards natural approaches.”
3. Not a Substitute for Professional Care Multiple reviewers emphasize: “It is not a substitute for professional medical care in serious situations. It is meant to be a supplementary guide.”
Honest User Critique:
One Goodreads reviewer provided balanced feedback: “While not universally applicable due to lack of scientific basis [for some remedies], a few techniques I adopted later served as relief measures for minor ailments like headaches or indigestion. Although unproven scientifically, their effectiveness for me played a considerable role in restoring my agency over health decisions.”
What Industry Professionals Say
While I couldn’t find specific reviews from herbalists or medical professionals critiquing this particular book, the general feedback emphasizes:
- It’s appropriate as a complementary resource, not primary medical care
- The author’s medical credentials add legitimacy
- The evidence-based approach is appreciated
- It should be used alongside, not instead of, conventional medicine
Real Customer Testimonials
Positive:
“I’ve always sought natural alternatives to conventional medicine, and this book has been a game-changer for me.” – Amazon review
“This was exactly what I needed in order to get some clarity in understanding my diabete. An easy to read book with tones of practical advises” – Anna G, USA
“With all the BS out there, this book gave me deep understanding of my body, what natural remedies I need for my arthrites and how they are helping my body’s heling proces” – Gina G, Canada
“A super practical guide on home remedies for survival situations. Everyone needs this!” – Amazon reviewer
Balanced:
“This is an excellent resource, full of practical tips for dealing with a large variety of health issues. I have at least 2 shelves full of health & medical advice books, some quite gigantic. But THIS is the book I always reach for when dealing with health problems. It gets right to the point & offers a list of things you can do to deal with each problem.” – Goodreads review
Who This Book Is Actually For
Ideal Users (Based on Reviews):
✓ Preppers and survivalists – People preparing for emergencies
✓ Homesteaders – Those living off-grid or seeking self-sufficiency
✓ Natural health enthusiasts – People interested in complementary medicine
✓ Those with minor chronic issues – Arthritis, digestive problems, headaches
✓ People in remote areas – Limited access to immediate medical care
✓ Anyone seeking preventative care – Maintaining long-term health naturally
Not Ideal For:
✗ People with serious acute or chronic illnesses requiring medication
✗ Those looking to completely replace conventional medical care
✗ Individuals who prefer strictly evidence-based medicine
✗ Anyone expecting miracle cures
Value Assessment
Is It Worth $37-$46?
Yes, according to most users, IF you:
- Are genuinely interested in herbal medicine
- Understand it’s a complementary resource
- Want a comprehensive reference guide
- Value emergency preparedness information
- Appreciate scientific backing for natural remedies
Maybe not, IF you:
- Only want remedies for one specific condition
- Prefer mainstream medical approaches exclusively
- Don’t have interest in emergency preparedness
- Want quick fixes without lifestyle changes
Comparison to Other Herbal Books
Users who own multiple herbal remedy books note this one stands out because:
- It’s written by an actual MD (not just an herbalist)
- Includes scientific references (not purely anecdotal)
- Focuses on emergency/survival scenarios (not just wellness)
- Has practical A-to-Z organization (easy reference)
- Balances traditional and modern medicine
The Marketing vs. The Product
Important Note:
The book’s sales page uses fear-based marketing and conspiracy theories that many reviewers find off-putting. However, the actual book content appears to be significantly more balanced and practical than the marketing suggests.
Users report:
- The book itself doesn’t push conspiracy theories
- Content is straightforward and practical
- Focus is on remedies, not politics or fearmongering
- Scientific approach is emphasized over alarmism
Final Verdict
The Bottom Line:
“The Doctor’s Book of Survival Home Remedies” is a legitimate, comprehensive herbal remedy guide written by a qualified physician. It offers practical, often science-backed natural remedies for over 100 health conditions, with a particular focus on emergency preparedness.
Strengths:
- Extensive, well-organized content
- Medical professional authorship
- Scientific references included
- Practical, accessible remedies
- User-friendly design
- Good value for the price
Weaknesses:
- Can be overwhelming for beginners
- Some remedies lack strong scientific backing
- Heavily weighted toward natural approaches
- Not suitable as sole medical resource
Recommendation:
Buy this book IF:
- You’re interested in natural medicine as a complement to conventional care
- You want emergency preparedness medical knowledge
- You value a comprehensive, organized reference guide
- You’re willing to research and verify remedies before using them
Skip this book IF:
- You’re looking for a cure-all or replacement for medical care
- You have serious health conditions requiring prescription management
- You’re not interested in herbal medicine
- You expect every remedy to have gold-standard research backing
Star Rating Breakdown:
- Content Quality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
- Organization: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
- Author Credibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
- Practicality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
- Scientific Backing: ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5)
- Value for Money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 Stars) – Recommended with caveats
Tips for Using This Book Effectively
Based on user experiences:
- Start with minor issues – Don’t use it for serious conditions
- Verify with your doctor – Especially if you take medications
- Cross-reference remedies – Check other sources for confirmation
- Start slow – Test remedies for tolerance and effectiveness
- Keep it as a reference – Don’t try to read cover-to-cover
- Focus on prevention – The lifestyle advice is valuable
- Build gradually – Don’t stockpile herbs you’re not familiar with
Where to Buy
- Official website: $37 digital / $45.99 print + digital
- Amazon: Available in print format
- Includes 3 bonus reports with purchase
- 60-day money-back guarantee
Alternatives:
Final Thoughts
Unlike my initial assessment when looking at the sales page, actual users report this is a valuable, practical resource that lives up to most of its claims (minus the marketing hyperbole). The author’s medical credentials, scientific approach, and comprehensive coverage make it stand out in the crowded natural remedy book market.
The key is approaching it with the right expectations: it’s a complementary resource for natural health enthusiasts and preparedness-minded individuals, not a replacement for modern medicine or a miracle cure book.
For those interested in herbal medicine and emergency preparedness, the overwhelming majority of reviews suggest it’s worth the investment.
