By Gary Null, PhD, with Senior Research Editor Aloka Bryana Gale
Review by Dana Ullman, MPH, CCH
Gary Null’s The Complete Woman’s Encyclopedia of Natural Health & Healing is an ambitious and far-reaching contribution to the growing literature on integrative and natural medicine. This expansive volume seeks to provide women with a practical and scientifically informed guide to achieving health through lifestyle medicine, nutritional therapies, botanical remedies, and other natural healing systems. At a time when conventional medicine often focuses narrowly on pharmaceuticals and surgical interventions, Null’s work reminds readers that genuine health begins with prevention, self-care, and a deeper understanding of the body’s intrinsic capacity to heal.
From the very beginning of the book, Null frames modern healthcare within a sobering context. Despite the United States spending trillions of dollars annually on healthcare, the nation continues to face rising rates of chronic disease. Women, in particular, bear a disproportionate burden of this crisis. Rather than accepting this situation as inevitable, Null invites readers to reconsider the foundations of health—diet, exercise, environmental influences, emotional well-being, and natural therapeutics.
The structure of the encyclopedia reflects this philosophy. The early chapters explore the fundamentals of daily health practices, including nutrition, physical activity, detoxification, and the establishment of a natural medicine cabinet. Only after establishing these foundations does the book proceed to examine specific diseases and conditions affecting women. This structure reflects a principle long recognized within holistic medicine: the most powerful treatments often arise from improving the body’s terrain rather than merely suppressing symptoms.
One of the most valuable contributions of the book lies in its emphasis on nutrition as a cornerstone of health. Null provides a clear explanation of the roles of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, while emphasizing whole foods and minimally processed diets. He reminds readers that the typical modern diet—high in refined carbohydrates, processed foods, and unhealthy fats—contributes significantly to chronic illness. By contrast, diets rich in whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds provide essential nutrients that support cellular repair and disease prevention.
Equally important is Null’s discussion of physical activity. He highlights research demonstrating that even modest exercise—such as regular walking—can significantly reduce mortality risk while improving cardiovascular health, mood, and metabolic function. These observations align closely with the core tenets of lifestyle medicine, which increasingly recognize that physical movement is not merely optional recreation but a fundamental biological requirement.
Another distinctive feature of this encyclopedia is its extensive discussion of natural therapeutics. The book provides detailed guidance on herbal medicines, nutritional supplements, and other non-pharmaceutical approaches to common health problems. In describing a “natural medicine cabinet,” Null outlines traditional remedies such as garlic, echinacea, astragalus, and goldenseal—plants with long histories of use in supporting immune function and combating infections.
Importantly, Null’s encyclopedia also includes significant references to homeopathic medicine, acknowledging its long tradition within integrative healthcare systems worldwide. While homeopathy remains controversial within some segments of American medicine, Null notes that it continues to be widely used in Europe and Asia, where hospitals and universities incorporate homeopathic therapies into their medical systems.
The book includes several practical discussions of homeopathy within specific medical contexts. For example, in the chapter addressing uterine fibroids, Null describes case reports in which individualized homeopathic treatment helped relieve symptoms and even led to regression of fibroids. One case involved the remedy Calcarea carbonica, which reportedly resolved fibroid symptoms in a middle-aged woman, while another case described improvement after treatment with Thuja occidentalis.
Null emphasizes an essential principle of homeopathic practice: remedies must be selected based on the patient’s specific symptom pattern. This individualized approach—central to classical homeopathy—distinguishes it from conventional pharmacology, where treatments are typically standardized for specific diagnoses. The book also lists several remedies commonly used in homeopathic practice for gynecological bleeding and fibroids, including Ipecac, Sabina, Secale, Phosphorus, and Trillium, while advising that professional guidance from an experienced homeopath is often advisable.
Homeopathy is discussed again in the context of osteoporosis, where Null suggests that certain remedies may support bone health and the body’s natural regulatory processes. For instance, Calcarea phosphorica is described as a traditional remedy used for brittle bones and fracture tendencies. The book also discusses remedies such as Corticoid and homeopathic Parathyroid preparations, which have been explored for their potential effects on calcium metabolism and bone pain.
In addition, Null mentions homeopathy in discussions of postpartum depression, noting that remedies such as Ignatia amara and Cimicifuga racemosa have been used to address emotional distress following childbirth. He again emphasizes the importance of individualized prescribing and consultation with qualified homeopathic practitioners.
Beyond specific conditions, Null also cites observational research suggesting that homeopathic treatment may improve quality of life in patients with chronic diseases over long follow-up periods. Such studies highlight the growing international interest in homeopathy as part of integrative healthcare.
While Null does not portray homeopathy as a universal cure, he presents it as one of several therapeutic systems that may complement nutritional and lifestyle interventions. In this respect, his approach mirrors that of many integrative physicians who recognize that health often requires a multifaceted strategy rather than reliance on a single therapeutic modality.
The encyclopedia’s second major section addresses numerous diseases affecting women, including hormonal disorders, cardiovascular disease, depression, autoimmune conditions, and reproductive health issues. Each chapter combines discussions of conventional treatments with natural approaches designed to support the body’s healing processes.
What ultimately distinguishes this book is its empowering message. Null consistently encourages women to take an active role in understanding their health and making informed decisions about their care. Rather than portraying patients as passive recipients of medical interventions, he emphasizes personal responsibility, education, and prevention.
Of course, a work of this scope inevitably invites debate. Some readers within mainstream medicine may question certain natural therapies discussed in the book, particularly those that lack large randomized clinical trials. However, Null’s goal is not to replace conventional medicine but to broaden the conversation about health and healing.
In many ways, The Complete Woman’s Encyclopedia of Natural Health & Healing represents a synthesis of multiple traditions—nutritional science, herbal medicine, lifestyle medicine, and homeopathy—brought together in a single comprehensive reference. Whether one agrees with every recommendation or not, the book provides a thoughtful and wide-ranging exploration of how women can cultivate health through natural means.
Ultimately, Null’s message echoes a principle long recognized within holistic medicine: the body possesses remarkable self-healing capacities when provided with the proper conditions—nutritious food, physical activity, emotional balance, and supportive natural therapies.
For readers interested in integrative medicine and preventive health, this encyclopedia offers not merely a collection of remedies but a broader philosophy of healing—one that encourages women to reclaim both knowledge and responsibility for their well-being.
It should be noted that this book has almost 100 pages of references to the scientific literature, totally over 2,000 citations!
“Gary Null’s Complete Women's Encyclopedia is a powerful resource for anyone seeking to better understand their body and take an active role in their well-being. Packed with practical insights on nutrition, lifestyle, and holistic approaches to health, this book empowers women with knowledge that supports long-term vitality. Whether you’re looking to make small improvements or transform your overall health, this guide offers valuable tools for living a stronger, healthier life.”
Dr. Andy Wakefield
Gary Null has put his time in over many decades and here is his huge accomplishment, an encyclopedic review of what the human body needs. He covers every medical condition with a thorough description, followed by extremely useful solutions. I remember calling him for advice in the 1970s when we were both new in our fields. From there he has bravely championed many of the most important healing procedures that were ignored by the reigning medical bastions. This book is a go-to book for any person, any family. I recommend it highly.
The Complete Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Health and Healing by Dr. Gary Null is an indispensable resource that every woman, regardless of her age, should have on her shelf. For over half a century, Dr. Null has been a tireless champion of natural health. This meticulously researched volume reflects his deep commitment to evidence-based alternative prevention and treatment. Drawing from peer-reviewed studies, it features several dozen dedicated chapters on the medical and mental health conditions that most commonly affect women. The book offers clear and accessible explanations alongside insightful cautions about the limitations and risks of conventional drug-based treatments. What sets this book apart is its comprehensive exploration of natural solutions: targeted plant-based diets, nutrient-rich foods, effective botanicals, exercise, stress reduction, holistic lifestyle strategies and much more. Null doesn't just diagnose problems, rather he empowers women with practical, science-supported paths to disease prevention and vibrant wellness. This is a true go-to guide that stands as both an educational resource and a beacon of hope for women who seek to take charge of their health naturally.
For decades, Gary Null has been one of the most recognizable voices in the natural health movement, encouraging people to look beyond symptom-based medicine toward prevention and lifestyle-based healing. In The Complete Woman’s Encyclopedia of Natural Health and Healing, he brings that lifetime of research and advocacy together in a comprehensive guide devoted to women’s well-being. Rich in practical information and grounded in the principles of holistic health, this book offers readers a thoughtful resource for exploring how nutrition, environment, and daily habits shape long-term vitality.
What is the easiest way to create a woman’s encyclopedia for natural health and healing that completely sidesteps pharmaceutical coercion, medical mythmaking, and decades of reductionist thinking, and which incorporates the best of what actually works for the human body? Simple. Have Gary Null write it. He’s a living encyclopedia, a pioneer who has been on the cutting edge of health wisdom for decades. Thank you, Gary, for your nonstop investigations, your brilliant integration of massive amounts of material, and your easy-to-navigate presentation that gives us all the fruits of your lifetime of labor.
Jeffrey Smith, Bestselling Author of Seeds of Deception; Founder of The Institute for Responsible Technology
A Powerful Resource for Women Who Want to Take Control of Their Health
This is one of the most comprehensive books on natural women’s health I’ve seen. The Complete Woman’s Encyclopedia of Natural Health & Healing is exactly what the title promises—an encyclopedia that covers everything from nutrition and exercise to hormone balance, detoxification, immune health, and dozens of specific medical conditions affecting women.
Gary Null The Complete Woman's …
What I appreciated most is that the book focuses heavily on prevention and lifestyle. Instead of presenting health as something that only doctors or medications can fix, it emphasizes how daily choices—diet, stress, environment, and movement—play a major role in long-term wellness.
The writing is clear, practical, and easy to navigate, making it useful both as a book you can read straight through and as a reference you return to when a specific health question comes up.
If you’re interested in natural or integrative approaches to women’s health, this book is a valuable addition to your library.
KP Stoller
Finally! A comprehensive, even encyclopedic volume that approaches every imaginable women’s health issue with the wisdom of Gary Null’s lifetime of experience in the field of natural health and healing. Invaluable. I will make it this year’s gift for all the women I love.
Gary Null’s “Complete Woman’s Encyclopedia of Natural Health & Healing” is required reading for every woman who genuinely seeks a healthy, sustainable and energetic life.
Approaches his topic by examining the root cause of the problem, Gary eliminates the contributory dietary factors for disease, replacing them with healthy non-invasive diets and lifestyle measures to restore a healthy balance.
Rather than relying on pharmaceuticals and surgery as the default solutions, Gary advocates an integrative approach; combining nutrition, natural therapies, herbal medicine, detoxification, mental exercises, and lifestyle modifications to optimise women’s health, slow ageing, and prevent degenerative diseases. Importantly, he also deals with the prevention of these conditions.
The book does an exemplary job, addressing women's topics such as menopause, hormonal imbalances, anaemia, birth control, breast and gynaecological cancers, oestrogen, menstrual disorders, skin and hair health.
Significantly, it should also be noted Obiter dictum.
Over 90% of the book applies equally to men: the role of environmental toxins, detoxification, organic plant foods, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, brain health, arthritis and gout, dental health, chronic fatigue syndrome, insomnia, the immune system, diet and anti-ageing, longevity, food sensitivities and allergies, gut and colon health, the importance of sleep, sunshine and daily exercise.
The diet and lifestyle changes and the natural strategies recommended can significantly reverse biological age markers, improve cognitive function, and enhance quality of life for people at any age. Gary carefully outlines his principles for maintaining youthful vitality and resilience through applying holistic, time tested practices.
Gary is a prodigious worker and writer.
His book belongs on every bookshelf in every library.
Philip Wollen
