Complementary-Therapy Books

Djuna is a wonderful warm soul. I saw an interview with her and she really explained the whole Past-Life topic in a way that I could understand. GET THIS BOOK!

The concept of karma gets a bad rap in our culture when it comes from a fear-based place. Djuna Wojton, the author of "Karmic Healing: Clearing Past Life Blocks to Present Day Love, Health and Happiness" paints a far different picture of the idea that 'what goes around comes' around. She seems to perceive that karma is about learning lessons and moving forward rather than remaining mired in the past. Easy to digest and written in a friendly voice, Djuna's work comes from more than 20 years of practice as a reiki master, hypnotherapist, tarot reader and teacher, yoga and belly dance teacher and past life regressionist. She was quite a mover and shaker in the transformational community in the 1980's
(called "Philadelphia's Reigning New Age Goddess")

The book uses anecdotes from the lives of her clients and the ways in which the teachings she espouses have created healing results for them. It doesn't simply preach to the choir and would appeal to anyone who is interested on the impact of choices in a clear, non-jargonistic way.

It is a welcome addition to my library.

In Karmic Healing, Djuna Wojton presents a portmanteau of holistic healing tools for both the novice and the seasoned seeker. Within these pages all can find a way to create transformation and connection to Soul Purpose by following concisely written, step-by-step instructions in a variety of modalities. When you read this book, you will be forever changed. My past life regression work resulted in healing my debilitating pain from fibromyalgia, aided me in ending a long-term relationship that no longer served me and led me onto my own path as a healer. The flower essences and reiki treatments supported me throughout the process.

Healer Djuna Wojton is one of the most amazing women of this century or any other. New-Age Goddess, Shaman, Reiki Master, Artist, Dancer, Hypnotherapist, Past-Life Regressionist, Great Cook, Cartoonist, Laughter Queen, she does it all. Her new book KARMIC HEALING is equally amazing. Read it and its techniques and theories may save your life! A decade ago, I came to Djuna as a client, for healing. I was really in bad shape. Djuna helped bring me back to life. Thank you, Djuna! I had known Djuna professionally through her former radio show. My healing journey with her through other lives was a stupendous experience. I can attest to the effectiveness of the methods she espouses in her book. Buy it! Do them! Change your life!!

This a very GOOD book to learn every bone and muscle!!! I really enjoyed it. It helped me learned everything I need to know about the bones and musxle structure. I recommend it to anyone. It's a very helpful book.

Joseph Muscolino has written a text which takes the Kinesiological depth of experts like Neumann and Oatis and has brought the necessary concepts into a practical focus for massage therapists, as well as other allied health professionals. Rather than write from the vantage point of a lecturer's podium, Joe has taken the inquisitiveness of students and woven a text which answers their questions before they are asked. Our school, The Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy, strives to make the sciences more accessible to students while maintaining a high level of academic excellence. Joe has gifted our school and the profession with a visual and scholarly delight which fulfills that quest. When considering the melding of thoroughness and user friendliness, in some respect, he could have subtitled the text "Everything You Wanted To Know About Kinesiology But Were Afraid To Ask". For the student, concepts which appear to be confusing and out of reach come into razor sharp focus. For the licensed practitioner, the illustrations and explanations support the science behind the art and offer illustrations which provide clarity in discussions with clients. For teachers, the publisher's Evolve ancillaries offer images from the text as well as other thoughtfully considered classroom tools which complement this fine work. As Chair of the Health Sciences Department, I heartily recommend this text to anyone who wishes to expand their knowledge base in a practical, lucid manner.

I found that this book was perfect in broadening my knowledge of the human body, more specifically the skeletal system and muscles. It managed to explain the way muscles worked and functioned in a simple manner so that I could fully understand everything that was being said, despite having no University background. It's helped me in the area that I needed it for and that is a better understanding of how my body operates during the strenuous physical activity in my fitness regime and weight routine. It enabled me to improve each activity I performed in some way or another and made me aware of the specific muscles being targetted during my weight sessions.

Great buy and definately worth every penny.

As a massage therapy student completely new to the world of bodywork, this book is an excellent study companion. Every part of this book is helpful, even down to chapter outlines, key terms and word origins at the beginning of each chapter and review questions at the end. The layout is such that it is easy to read and digest the information without losing focus (an absolute must with the nature of this subject). There are additional information boxes throughout which really help to reinforce the concepts being taught. The pictures and photos are very clear and I found the chapter on bones essential as an aid to learning names and landmarks. There is a web site link for additional learning resources and answers to the review questions. This book has been very well thought out, written and presented and nothing has been left out. I wouldn't be without it.

Without question this is a wonderful book that addresses many of our personal, human problems, including how to deal and cope with them. This book is not just about sleep but about living a meaningful life. If you want a quick fix or magic bullet for sleep difficulties, look elsewhere. But if you want to examine your heart, mind, and even your soul, then you will find, like I did by following the suggestions given in the book, that "Live Well, Sleep Well" is an excellent guide to a sense of peace and tranquility. It's not entirely about the number of hours we sleep, but the quality of our sleep.

Live Well is a highly informative book and very "user friendly." It's not only about getting quality sleep, but about the quality of life, and how balanced living improves our lives. It's well worth your time and attention.

Contemporary urban life is hallmarked by chronic and habitually insufficient and inadequate sleep for millions of people. In Live Well, Sleep Well: The Holistic Way To A Good Night's Sleep, Dan Campbell addresses this epidemic health problem by surveying modern sleep research in conjunction with the information on sleep in the Edgar Cayce readings. Campbell reveals why we need sleep, what happens when sleep suffers, and how to improve sleep through a blend of modern medicine and the spiritual/health advice to be found in the Cayce readings. Practical, in-depth, meaningful, insightful, and "user friendly", Live Well, Sleep Well is very highly recommended reading for the non-specialist general reader seeking to directly address a need for an improved and more refreshing sleep.

Ostensibly, Live Well, Sleep Well is about getting a good night's sleep, but it turns out to be much more. It truly is a "fully holstic" treatment of the subject of living well. The author's words will convince you more than any review like this one, so see for yourself and read the book. Also, note that here is a book by a true writer who is more than just an "author," which is evident from the quality of the writing.

One in the series of books by Richard Alan Miller. (The others being "Magical and Ritual use of Perfumes" with Iona Miller, and "magical and Ritual Use of Aphrodisiacs") This book is a typical example of the attention to detail, clarity of writing, and concise nature that I have come to expect from the author.

Covering some of the more Pharmocologically active herbs,the coverage is complete enough for my friends in the medical feilds, without losing readers with less chemistry knowledge (like me). There are diagrams of the active chemical compounds, when known, and lots of details about growth and habitat, but the directions and hazards of use are clear enough for a novice.

While not covering the more common herbs, such as Rosemary, or sage, this book is a valued part of my herbal library. I sincerely hope that the author writes a more wide ranging book on herbs in the future! Definately worth every penny.

This fascinating book investigates the habitat, cultivation, historical use, chemical structure and benefits of nineteen psycho-active herbs. These plants are discussed by chapter in the following categories: Stimulants (including Damiana, Passionflower and Guarana), Depressants (including Lobelia, Skullcap and Valerian), Narcotics (Wild Lettuce and Wormwood), Hallucinogens (including Kava Kava, Yohimbe, Amanita Muscaria, Morning Glory Seed and Psilocybe Mushroom). Their preparation, ritual use, primary effects and potential hazards are described in detail.

Some of the benefits that may be derived from the wise use of these plants include stress relief (Kava Kava and Valerian Root), increased energy (Guarana), restful sleep and cleansing (Wormwood) and spiritual development (Fly Agaric, Psilocybe). The author writes with great authority, effortlessly blending scientific and esoteric knowledge. I enjoyed his no-nonsense factual approach. The book includes a Quick Reference Chart, a Bibliography and a Chemistry, Botanics/Organic and General Index, making it a valuable reference work in addition to a fascinating read.

This book is a great all around kind of reference book. Covering a wild variety of plants it includes lots of interesting details such as traditional preparation and chemical structure for active ingredients. Highly recommended.

This book is very informative, clearly written and well organized. One must have knowledge of wild crafting (plant gathering) and a pretty good knowledge of chemistry to take full advantage of what it has offer. It provides excellent and concise information on herbal effect and very clear warnings. Some good recipes also.

Medicinal Natural Products: A Biosynthetic Approach is an excellent text for the subject of natural products. There are a number of other text available but many (especially the older text) are really biochemical text disguised as natural products text (such as focusing on fatty acid biosynthesis rather than polyketide synthesis). In addition, many text are too short (I possess a text that describes biosynthetic reactions in 29 pages, a far too brief discussion of this complex field). This book is available in softcover at reasonable cost (a very desirable characteristic for students). I particularly enjoy the historical and pharmacological discussions of famous natural products. It is a good text for 1st year graduate students.

I enjoy reading this book, but I wish there were more mechanisms for the more ivovlved reactions. But, the book takes its time to review concepts and ensure understanding.

This is really a wonderful book. The author has a deep insight in world of biosynthesis and medicinal natural products. I have read it all and am using it as a text to my undergaduate pharmacy students. It is just what i was looking for. Thanks Dr. Dewick, i am looking forward to see your second edition soon of this book, maybe this time we will have more about biosynthesis techniques!

This text is absolutely superb and the only regret I have is that I did not write it myself! I have used it almost exclusively for the natural products chemistry component of our Bachelor of Pharmacy degree course and it comprehensively covers all of the major types of bioactive natural products. Anyone interested in Pharmacognosy will find the book an invaluable reference text. This book will be of great importance for future students of natural products chemistry. I thoroughly recommend its purchase!

I recently moved to the Sonoran Desert but had no idea what treasures awaited me until I bought and read this small book. This guide has opened my eyes to what is around me. I've taken pictures of interesting plants along the roads but didn't know they were medicinal or edible until I read about them here. The next time I go for a walk or drive, it will be with newly opened eyes. The illustrations are good, the instructions are specific. Some of the explanations and narratives are so hysterically funny, you will have no problem understanding effects of either taking or not taking described potion or poltice. I heartily recommend this quide on several different levels.

I've been utilizing this book for over 10 years as a teaching tool and reference for my Medicinal Plants of the Baja class. Michael Moore is
a hoot, excellent research on plant constituents and medicinal uses. Couldn't have done it without him! Check out www.bajabotanicals.com
Thank you, Michael.

This book was very easy to use. I wished there was more color photos but with such good descriptions and drawings you really don't need them. There are color photos for about half the plants described in the book. I love the way Michael Moore writes. He makes it so easy to read and understand. This book will be used for years to come in my home.

This book makes it easy to understand the preparation and use of herbs for a variety of everyday family herbal-aid applications. The instructions include the part of the plant used - flower, root, leaves, berries, bark etc. It goes on to explain why fresh or why the dry plant is useful and how to deal with your own gathering of the plant and what to do in simple A to Z instructions.

This is one of the few books that wonderfully joins the earthy world of herbalism with the spiritual world of the modern shaman.There are so many little herbal books around today,that have been watered down from Nicholus Culpepper and even Earl Mindell's later writings.This book gives the human ritual use of the herbs of Nature here perfectly.I can only recommend this book for modern herbalists,who want the deeper spiritual connection between oneself or a coven and the surrounding elements of Mother-Nature.

As a northern-tradition shaman and an herbalist, this was a good find for once. I'm extremely skeptical of any book with "shamanic" in the title, having been burned on that account many times in the past. ("The Shaman's Body" was so bad that I almost puked, and "The Truth About Shamanism" deserves to be burned on a Beltane bonefire.) But this one was actually good.

It's written by a spirit-worker who does things mostly in Native American traditions, largely because of the area she works in - the Northwest, where there are many fewer European transplanted plants, and the ecosystem is largely still Native, and that's who trained her. it says more than any other herbal I've ever read about actually talking to the plant spirits; her Materia Medica section actually talks about each one from the point of view of a living being with an essence rather than just an inert thing with alkaloids in it.

As a shaman who works with plant spirits on a regular basis, I was thrilled. She differentiates between naturopathic herbalism (purging, working with medical science), naturalistic herbalism (the Wise Woman stuff, working organically) and shamanic herbalism (ask the darn plants what they want!) She repeatedly emphazises the importance of a good relationship to the spirit of each plant that you work with. While she works in an entirely different cultural system than my own northern-tradition shamanism, her writings ring true and she seems to be for real.

Certainly her chapter on psychoactive plants is one of the sanest and most practical that I've seen. She says that it isn't, for her, about whether one chooses to interact with them, but how - and gives a list of ritual steps to take in order to create a relationship with the plant before ingesting the substance - including letting the plant tell you whether it's even appropriate.

One of the few books on the market that actually earns the "shamanic" name in my narrow estimation. Worth bothering to get and read, no matter what cultural tradition you're in.

-Raven Kaldera
http://www.cauldronfarm.com/nts

While I disagree with the previous reviewer regarding Arnold Mindell's "The Shaman's Body" (the work is brilliant and practical--it has actually changed my life--but is more of the Castaneda tradition in language, operation, and purpose), I concur that Loren Cruden's shamanic herbal is a wonderful book. I had been seeking some perspective from a middle ground between the straight plant-spirit shamanism of Eliot Cowan's excellent book and the too-linear, too-rote herbalism of most formal programs of study of the materia medica. Cruden is it!

As an herbalist, I am always looking to expand my knowledge of the plant world. Its great to know textbook uses of herbs and one can be quite successful in employing these techniques however, to learn directly from the plants is a true blessing and a healer's dream. Loren Cruden directs us to do this in her fabulous book, Medicine Grove. She is undoubtedly in tune with nature and while I believe she is gifted in this area, I also believe she consciously works at it. She generously shares her knowledge in this book, making it possible for all of us to re-connect with the spirits of the plant world. Thank-you Loren! In addition to spirit world connection tips, there's an excellent materia medica, tips for growing herbs and forms for applying medicinal herbs along with many unusual herbal tidbits included in the appendices. While I have a rather large herbal library, this is an outstanding addition. Put this book beside Eliot Cowan's Plant Spirit Medicine - they're a powerful pair!

This audiocassette brings hope and peace especially during this tragic time in American history. The prayers speak to us as though they were meant for today. I hope that the words that Marianne speaks in her own soothing way can help to begin healing in our world.

I have listened to this tape almost daily for months. Side one (morning) is a great way to put your mind (and heart) in a positive place for the new day. And side two (evening) provides me with a very personal sense of closeness to God when I drift off to sleep. The gentle music behind Marianne's soft, soothing prayer is very well done. I have searched for other tapes like this and have found none even close to the overall quality and serenity of this tape. If you enjoy guided meditation and self hypnosis tapes, and have a strong spiritual belief, I think you would enjoy this recording.

This tape was more than I was hoping to find. I wanted a morning and evening prayer/mediation tape that would reflect the Course teachings. Marianne Williamson does it beautifully and says everything my heart feels but cannot put into words, including a purification prayer/meditation portion which I was hoping for. This tape will definitely bring you higher. There is nothing she doesn't cover in this tape. I look forward to going to bed and getting up just to hear the tape again. The tape is about 34 minutes on each side which is just enough time and the music is a lovely soothing piano. Excellent..I will never be without this tape.

I checked this audio tape out from the library, but I know I'll be buying several copies for myself, family and friends. Ms. Williamson's beautiful, tranquil voice as she prays one of the most restorative meditation/prayers I've heard in years is awesome...and the background music is totally peaceful and relaxing. One side of the tape is a morning meditation and the other side is an evening meditation. I plan to listen to this tape daily...and I know it will heal my spirit from the stresses of everyday life and help me to grow spiritually and creatively as a person.

It's about time someone put together a clear and concise guide to the numerous alternative veterinary treatments available. Dr. Schwartz gives us a path to greater involvement in our pets' care, while stating clearly when to consult a health care professional. As an obedience instructor for over 20 years, I recommend this book highly to all owners of dogs and cats!

This is a fun book, especially for the beginner.
The drawing are wonderful!

This beautifully illustrated, colorful, spiralbound hardcover book would make a great gift for the dog or cat lover with an interest in natural remedies for animals. Of course it's nowhere near as thorough as Dr. Schwartz' excellent "Four Paws, Five Directions," but this A-Z guide to dozens of ailments (from abscesses and arthritis to worms and yawning) is nonetheless a solid reference for those who prefer to tackle health problems with nutrition, herbs, homeopathy, and massage instead of drugs and chemical insecticides. Don't expect elaborate treatment plans and diagnosis techniques from this little book -- just safe and natural remedies you can try at home. And yes, Dr. Schwartz does take care to point out when it's a good idea to see a professional for diagnosis/treatment.

Not only is this a great book, but Dr. Cheryl is a wonderful veterinarian!! She is incredibly intuitive and knowledgeable and my animals (cats, dogs, and horses) have been in the best of health since being under her care -- and I had some rather difficult cases.

This book gives great hope to people with schizophrenia and those around them wanting to lessen the need for strong drugs with side effects. Suggested are many different models for healing with helpful addresses and phone numbers of clinicians. The most pragmatic book I have read yet.

This is a wonderful book in the series of Marohn's healthy mind guides. I write this as a mental health professional who has experience with holistic modalities and also with populations of severely impaired mental patients, schizophrenics included. The author looks at a broad spectrum of natural approaches to healing schizophrenia (not managing/maintaining the condition like conventional psychiatry does). Other than the confirmation of diagnostic criteria and prevalency data about mental illness, this book contradicts much of what professionals and the public are usually taught about the topic. The normal approach to schizophrenia is shown to be to a great extent counterproductive, as natural methods are shown from clinical and empirical reports to often help those diagnosed with schizophrenia recover and live drug-free. Natural biochemical therapies, homeopathic treatments, family systems, shamanic healing, osteopathy, and mind-body approaches such as Dr. Hamer's psychosomatic new medicine are described. The book works its way from the outside in as it explores the levels of healing that may be addressed to heal illness. Interesting clinical accounts are presented and readers are given clear evidence that schizophrenics can recover and that there are a variety of resources available to help this occur, ultimately being less expensive than a lifetime of mind-numbing drugs and additional medical expenses of the side effects of those drugs. The mental health system could be a much more ethical and humane institution of society if people were reading books like this instead of blindly accepting pharmaceutical pseudoscience - and people who actually understand and respect the scientific method will recognize how dubious are the claims of the pharmaceutical establishment and their followers. I commend this book's author for not being afraid to point out that drug therapies are more likely to impede recovery than foster recovery, including stats from World Health Organization research. It's about time that some people in the mental health field are shaken out of denial!

Finding this book was a godsend. Acting on many of the therapies described by Ms Marohn, I can now say that my son has been cured of schizophrenia. My "aha" moment came when I read that if schizophrenia is not healed at the level of vitamins, the problem may lie in the realm of beliefs and the unconscious. It is a travesty that people are routinely told by the medical/pharmaceutical lobby that schizophrenia is something inherently wrong with the brain. Ms Marohn has done an incredible service for anyone who doesn't want their loved one to live a life of wasted potential. This book changed my life.

This title is an excellent review of supplemental therapies to tackle the mountain that is schizophrenia. Well written, organized, and referenced.