I can get all the information I need on the Internet. Why bother getting your Guides?
It's true that you can indeed get everything you need to know on the Internet. It's true about health, nuclear physics, dog training, farming, crossword puzzles and everything else as well. But, there are a couple of points I would like to make.

Do you honestly have the time to search endless sites for the things you need? And once you find relevant sites, can you distinguish what is good quality and what is dubious? What happens if you need the facts right here and now? As another writer put it, "How do I research for the things I don't know that I don't know?"

I use the Internet as a useful part of my researches, but only part. I back this up with my personal experience and knowledge, and by reading books, professional magazines and newsletters.

These Guides are the result of using all of the sources I can, plus my views and practical experience. They save you the time and effort of doing it all yourself. They are there anytime you need them. The Guides are a better option than spending many precious hours or even days trying to find it for yourself - even if you can distinguish the rubbish from reality.

Researching the subject yourself could take weeks, and you might not even find the information relevant to your situation. So, why put yourself through it? Health Explored Guides are designed to give you the information you need to help you decide on the path to better health. They're easy to read and understand, they're concise, great value for money, and will save you lots of your valuable time too!

How do the Guides differ from leaflets available in shops and pharmacies?
The bottom line is that we are totally independent. There are no adverts for other companies or their products: all we provide are the facts. We're not trying to sell you other products such as tablets, diets, sports injury treatments etc. In fact, you may have noticed that most of the info available in the stores tries to do just that. Not us - we want you to decide. After all, it's your health, no one else's.

Do you plan to add to the range of six Guides?
Yes, we are working on extra titles right now. For instance, our Food Guide covers 40 foods, but there are many more that are relevant today. So, we're working on Part Two of the Food Guide, as well as considering supplements to some of the other Guides. We're also thinking of more titles on alternative therapies.
We'd really like to know what you'd like to see in the Health Explored range, so if you have any suggestions for future titles, please let us know!

These Guides cover alternative therapies, but what about conventional treatments?
We certainly don't produce these guides so our customers will turn their backs on conventional medicine! Quite the opposite - we see them as providing extra choice in how you approach your health.

An Edinburgh pharmacist who has 35 years of experience in both hospital and independent retail pharmacy compiled the Health Explored Guides. The alternative therapies, some of which have been used for hundreds of years, interest both him and many of his customers.
If there's a demand for it, we will certainly provide information on conventional drug treatments and over-the-counter medicines, either in our Guides or via the Newsletter.

I think I know a bit about health. Why would these Guides help me?
The Guides were developed to answer the in-depth and searching questions you might have on nutrition and alternative therapies. And, we'll try to answer any other queries you have through the newsletter or by e-mail.

Our author has had years of experience in discussing all aspects of health and therapy with his patients. It became clear to him that no one person - pharmacist or doctor - had all the answers to help all of the people.

It took years of research to enable the compilation of these Guides. They are a starting point: a reference for everyone looking for better health. Informed people can do a great deal to help their own health and treatment. Making educated choices means you get the best health care for you.

Do these Guides help diagnose disease?
No. Our aim is to inform, not to diagnose. You must consult your own health professional for diagnosis and to recommend treatment.

Why this format and not a book?
As I've said before, books have a place for those with an interest in a particular subject. A handy, short reference that gives the basic facts is a quick and practical way to decide on a course of action, or indeed to reject a possible route. There are plans to expand the information in the booklet series - a lot depends on your response.

What is in the Newsletter?
At the moment we shall be producing one newsletter every two months, but that can change as we develop it. Each edition discusses a series of topics that are current concerns and we hope will interest you. It will be a couple of A4 pages long. You can get it sent to you by snail mail or through your e-mail, it's up to you.
You can, of course, unsubscribe any time. Just tell us. More importantly, you can influence what we discuss and its format by giving some feedback as we go along.

I am a busy person. Can I afford the time to read all the Guides?
It is one reason for producing the information in booklet form. You can read a complete Guide in very little time, and referring to one entry should only take a minute or two.
Our Guides are simply handy references that are there as and when you need them.

I've read that some sources of information are unreliable. Can I trust your Guides?
Our author spent the last two years researching the information on the Guides, and has had many years of hands-on experience. His sources were books, research papers, current health periodicals and the Internet.

As far as the Internet as a source is concerned, certainly, some sites are questionable, but everything possible has been done to ensure the accuracy of the Guides. Having said that, if you have any questions about content, we will do our best to answer them as soon as possible.

Does Health Explored only do Guides?
As you have probably gathered by now, you can join our subscription list to receive regular health updates through the newsletter - a free service. We would also like you to take part in the process by contacting us with your comments, questions and views on health. (I assure you that any personal details you send me, including your name, will never be used in our publications unless you specifically grant your permission beforehand.) It is too easy to assume that everyone shares the same views on health, and my thoughts may be different to yours.

My aim is to have an interactive system where everyone can share his or her health experiences for the benefit of others. I need your help to achieve this.