This book examines alternative healing practices in American popular culture. From traditional folk approaches to more recent developments, it discusses the rise and fall of more than 100 popular approaches to addressing both physical ailments and mental health needs. Provides illuminating descriptions of popular treatments, describing their underlying philosophies, the historical impetus behind each, and their fate with consumers. Casts a critical yet sympathetic historical eye on the development of numerous popular remedies and how they came to serve (or not) their users. Looks at both notable "alternative" therapies and therapies that emerged or split off from the mainstream to address a different need of their audiences. Explores treatments designed for healing the body, the mind, the spirit, and all three.-- Amazon.com.