Complementary-Therapy Books

The product is very good I can only give it the highest rating. Way too advanced for me at my stage of learning...but someday I plan to catch up to the book.

This is the most useful herbal I have come across. I am a primary care doctor and many of my patients have questions regarding "alternative medicines". This book lists hundreds of herbs! Each listing includes common trade names and forms, source, chemical components, actions, reported uses, dosage, adverse reactions, interactions, contraindications and precautions, special considerations, and points of interest. Any scientific studies are also presented and analyzed, and there are references at the end of each listing. There are useful tables at the back of the book summarizing drug interactions, herbal agents to avoid in pregnancy, potentially unsafe plants, therapeutic monitoring guidelines, and herbal agents listed as unsafe by the FDA. I would recommend this book to my fellow physicians, pharmacists, and alternative medicine practitioners who have a special interest in herbal medicines.

This is a one of a kind! The well-researched and in-depth science used makes it extremely handy when posed with questions about the most obscure alternative medicines. Dosing, drug interactions, side effects, and sources are all listed. Very handy.

In day to day practice I probably refer to this book as much as many others combined: in our oncology centre about 40-60% of patients are using some form of alternative medicine.
This book is better than the others I own (Mills phytotherapy, the german commission E monographs, Yang Chinese herbal medicines).
This book is not intended as a prescription guide, but it is superb for evaluating a given preparation. It provides a quick summary of over 300 compounds: an introduction covering forms, components, actions and reported uses as well as standard dosing. This is followed by adverse reactions, interactions and precautions together with a commentary. This is where this little book stands out.
My only disappointment with the book has been when the compound of interest does not appear within its covers: a lot is crammed into 800 odd pages though. However each edition has increased its coverage (so should you upgrade your edition: yes!!).

i found this book cool, informative and what's more giving you ideas how to expand your reiki practice outside of the initial frame given with the initiations.

I have found this Reiki book to be a really good reference guide. It is full of lots of handy hints...even things I have not been taught, although I have just completed Reiki 1 and 2. I have stuck post-it-notes throughout the book..it's like a bible for Reiki Practitioners. I would highly recommend this book for beginners or more advanced as it has alot of useful information in it, and it is written well, easy to read.

EXCELLENT book! As a Reiki practicionter...this added book of tools and techniques is a realy benefit.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in using Reiki to it's utmost.
An excellent tool with methods not just for healing but for manifesting, using Reiki on for healing the past and the future, clearing rooms and a huge variety of methods for emotional healing. Of others certainly but these methods can be used for healing oneself, now, in the future and as so many of us need, the past. We can't change the past but with Reiki and several of the methods in the book we can heal it.

I love the room clearing technique and the Reiki fountain. But there are so many here, you can have a great time with new ways of healing.

William Lee Rand is my teacher's teacher, and I enjoy that he seeks to provide up-to-date and original Reiki information relevent to our current state as a planet. Much of the information contained in this work is useful, in the form of short vignettes, which makes it an easy read.

There are numerous pointers available for all practitioners of Reiki. Some of the information provided in a historical context could use an update, and the terminology needs a little correction. Despite this, it is still a pretty basic book that anyone may find benefit in.

This book could have used a sharper eye for editing, for there are numerous errors. Much of it is simple, though it does get a little distracting at times. Avid readers of Reiki News Magazine may recognize many chapters as articles that appeared in said publication.

William Lee Rand opens the way to exploring an exceptional world where balance and wellness unfold and we undertake the mission of healing our hearts and spirits. Rand shares a unique view of Reiki in this context and offers food for thought along the way.

A great book about how Reiki can be used to help heal the planet. William is a very perceptive author and the informaition in this book would be helpful to all Reiki people. It is clear that he truly loves Reiki and has expressed his best ideas and Reiki techniques in this book. I loved every chapter. I highly recommend it to everyone.

Mr. Rand's book is an excellent coverage of Reiki, both for beginners and those with Reiki experience. It is very clearly written and gives one a new perspective on healing energies. Highly recommended.

As always Steve has written a Study guide to take the powers we all possess and help us understand them and learn to use them. I believe this is why we are here, to learn all that we can do and be. Rather than fearing the unknown we should realize that all power comes from the Creator and that we are all part of one Eternal Being. Steve Murray helps us see the Divine in ourselves.

Another great book from steve murray. I have really enjoyed his books and the psychic attunements do work. I always look forward to Steve's books because they work and are very helpful.

I used to think that psychics and clairvoyants "knew" everything!! I'm not sure I have those abilities, but I am happy to learn how to expand them, thanks to Steve Murray's latest "guide" book with its easy-to-read, easy-to-follow instructions. I found the "Negative Psychic Cord" discussion to be particularly interesting. Just when I thought there was nothing else to learn about Reiki, along comes another wonderful guide! Thanks, Steve!

If you were looking for a way to increase your "claire" senses (such as clairvoyance), you just found it! Steve Murray has just released the next book in the "Ultimate Guide" series to teach you how to give yourself or someone else an Attunement to expand your psychic gifts. You'll also learn how to disconnect psychic cords (it isn't as difficult as you may have thought!) and how to use a spirit (Ouija) board. As always, Steve gives step-by-step instructions, easy to follow pictures and guidelines, and all the information you need, making this is a GREAT study guide for your students!

For years I've been taking Fosamax, standing for one hour every week without any increased bone density. This book allowed me to look at an alternative theory of bone density and an incredible product called OSTEO-K based on new principle of biochemistry using high doses of Vit K and Vit D. I think that every woman who is concerned about osteoporosis no matter how old or young your are should read this book to prevent that 'horrible' disease. Keep up the great work. Looking forward to your next book.

Given the subject matter of this book, readers might assume that it's about as readable as a textbook on rocket science. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that, not only is it readable, it's a page-turner, breaking down nutritional biochemistry in a way that is useful and interesting. Its relevance to any reader's own health is easily grasped early in the book. What's more, it makes a great case for why pharmaceuticals often fall short and gives us compelling evidence and case studies about what to do when the old tricks simply aren't working.

I have had the distinct pleasure of working in Dr. Neustadt's office for the past year. Simply put, I've seen sick, frustrated people heal. Additionally, I have personally been helped by this form of medicine. It's revolutionary medicine and it works.

As Dr. Pieczenik would say: "You're either on the bus or off the bus". I, for one, am on this bus. You will be, too, when you read the book.

A very enlightening book! Discovering and treating the underlying biochemical causes of a problem, makes more sense than treating symptoms that may not be cured, but merely masked by the introduction of chemicals. Dr. Neustadt's approach of analyzing and treating one's disfunctioning mitochondria with tested bio-natural nutrients that attempt to rebalance the body's chemistry and seeks a solution to the underlying problem, makes more sense to me than being subjected to crafted chemicals, many of which are synthetic and not natural to the human body.

This book completely changes the way the medical profession and consumers should think about approaching health. In a comprehensive, yet easy-to-understand way, the authors explain how testing one's nutritional biochemistry is a very powerful tool and can eliminate the need for more expensive and invasive procedures that provide far fewer answers and are driving the cost of medicine higher and higher. A fascinating fusion of knowledge and ideas from an MD and an ND. A great find if you want to know more about how to prevent and treat illness!

Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (12/08)


"The terminology of plant medicine changes through the ages, different systems evolve depending on climate and costume, and various plants rise and fall in popularity, but the core truth remains the same: Herbalism is an effective, natural, and inexpensive system of healing readily available to every human who chooses to use it. We have eons of human experience to prove it." (p. 2)

This book begins with an overview and history of herbalism. Gladstar tells us that, despite what we may hear, there is no miracle drug or cure-all for life's woes. We must live a healthy well-rounded life to start with by exercising, eating a well-balanced diet, getting adequate rest, and reducing our stress. Her addition to this familiar list is the usage of herbs on a daily basis to maintain wellness. She then lists for us various superfoods, herbs, and recipes, and explains the benefits of each to our everyday health.

What follows next is information on "taming stress and anxiety," "home remedies for everyday ailments," "recipes for radiant beauty," and individualized sections for children, men, women, and elders. At the end of the book there is an A to Z guide listing different herbs and explaining their benefits and uses.

One of the most interesting areas for me was the skin-care routine that Gladstar recommends. In it she details a once or twice monthly five-step program that includes miracle grains, an herbal facial steam, a facial, tonic astringents, and a facial massage with cream. It sounds very good for my skin and also very relaxing. I will definitely be trying that one!

I also think that the elderberry syrup in the children's section sounds like something that I would love to try for my boys. Apparently this syrup is the "most popular herbal cold remedy in Europe" (p. 190) and it also is supposed to taste good. All it consists of are blue elderberries, water, and honey. In the winter season with two young children I can surely use this!

"Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health" is very comprehensive and provides recipes or herbs for almost any situation that you can think of. The instructions are simple and easy to follow. Gladstar's book would make an excellent addition to any family's home reference library. It is full of useful and useable information!

Rosemary Gladstar is the godmother of american herbalism. If you have heard of herbs, used herbs, she is the reason. And this book is one of the best usable herbals for families in print. I highly recommend it.

Ms. Gladstar truly has a great approach towards herbs. However, this book has it all which was to my surprise and pictures that are in color to help those who needs to know what the plant looks like to seek it out. It is truly one of the best herb reference books on the market today, even though, most of the remedies are towards women's health, there are plenty of topics for men as well with remedies. DO NOT over look this book if you are truly a lover of herbs and alternative health lifestyles with herbs this is highly recommended!!!

Rosemary Gladstar is in my opinion one of the "true" people in healing. She offers information in the manner of one who wants to share rather than with hold or profit. I believe her work with Seed Savers supports my view. This paper back book which I bought for less than fifteen dollars is a treasure trove of information. She wants people to understand plants and use them for good . She also communicates the need for respecting the plant world which is after all part of our world. Her recipes are clear and easy to follow. Her books are always near at hand and I use them often. This is a true bargain and a good investment. Thank you Rosemary!!!!

The best book out there, along with LD Porter's medical intuitive material. Anyone familiar with Caroline Myss and Dr. Norm Shealy will gain valuable info. The visualizations are good and chakra material is well presented in clear, concise format.

Excellent information! Caroline and Norm lead the life student through insights into body, mind and spirit. Great tools for living life to the fullest of our potentials. I highly recommend any source of study by Caroline Myss and Norm Shealy.

The collaborative effort of Caroline Myss and Dr. Norm Shealy, The Science Of Medical Intuition: Self-diagnosis And Healing With Your Body's Energy Systems is an impressive and "user friendly" collection of twelve 60 minute lessons on audio compact discs that guide the listener in the process of approaching self-care and improved health through developing personal intuition. Inducting the reader into learning about chakras, creative visualization, guided imagery, the power of thought, and much, much more, The Science Of Medical Intuition is an enriching and rewarding self-teaching guide to extending personal awareness into scientific and metaphysical realms alike. The Science Of Medical Intuition would make a welcome and highly prized addition to dedicated Alternative Medicine and Metaphysical Studies collections.

This is the most involved CD and Workbook set from Caroline that I have ever had the pleasure of owning. It is a very detailed tool box, and one that will provide hours of opportunity for self-reflection and awareness. Caroline Myss and Norman Shealy (MD) speak on the CD's. Dr Norm Shealy has some fascinating medical details concerning the visualisations contained within this series and their effect on raising the levels of Calcitonin and DHEA (as well as some other hormones) for example.
It is not a series that aims to teach you how to become a medical intuitive to read other people's energy. Rather, it aims to teach you to be more perceptive and intuitive about your own physical, mental and spiritual/energetic body.
It has some good Visualisations within it, that last ~ 30 mins each. The Ring of Fire, Earth, Air, Water and Crystal are great.
Interestingly, the Ring of Crystal Visualisation seems to go along almost the exact same points of focus in the body as I learnt through Healing Touch in a treatment known as the CHAKRA CONNECTION. This technique is acknowledged by Janet Mentgen founder of the Healing Touch program to have been learnt from the renowned Dr W.Brugh Joy (Author of "Joy's Way"). I have found the CHAKRA CONNECTION to have powerful and beneficial effects,both for people I work with and when done on myself. Although I have only done the Ring of Crystal visualisation a few times now, you can feel the points Norm Shealy focuses on to really be connecting.
I can recommend this series to those interested in energetic medicine and healing, and for those who have enjoyed previous Caroline Myss CD's. This Series can help empower everybody who chooses to use the tools given within it. For those with or without a medical background, the visualisations are clearly explained and diagrams given in the extensive 92 page workbook.
I think I will be re-listening to (as with all Caroline's CD's, because each time you listen to it you hear different gems of wisdom) and benefiting from this series on The Science of Medical Intuition for many years to come.

This is an easy to read and understand textbook for healthcare practitioners. It is filled with insightful references which provide some evidence for the claims made regarding many of the more popular nontraditional medical practices in the world.

Phenomenal read. Well documented. Full of provocative ideas and theories that provide a substantive scientific framework from which to explore the esoteric landscape of mind-matter-spirit and physiology.

Wisneski L., Anderson L. The Scientific Basis of Integrative Medicine. CRC Press. 2005

We have a lot of books published on the principles of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Every book of this kind helps in our understanding of the intrinsic principles of this new developing branch of medicine. At the same time some books occupy a special place at our bookshelves. These are special books which you need in your everyday work. The book of M.D. Leonard Wisneski and Lucy Anderson belongs to this category.
First of all it is written by professionals. Leonard Wisneski is M.D., F.A.C.P.: Clinical Professor of Medicine at George Washington University and Adjunct Clinical Professor of the National College of Naturopathic Medicine. Past President of the International Society for the Study of Subtle Energies and Energy Medicine, past member of the Board of Trustees of the American Holistic Medical Association and founding member of the Complementary and Alternative Medicine division of the Georgetown University Medical School Curriculum Planning Committee, he has maintained a Fellowship position in the American College of Physicians, the American College of Nutrition and the American Institute of Stress. A U.C.L.A. trained acupuncturist, Dr. Wisneski is widely acknowledged as an early pioneer in exploring the clinical efficacy of integrative medicine for use into his clinical practice. As a medical director for American Whole Health, he led a 24 practitioner Integrative Medicine Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland. As a Corporate Medical Director for Marriott International, his fifteen year old wellness program earned the C. Everett Koop Award for Excellence. As a Director of Medical Education at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland, he was honored on three separate occasions as an Outstanding Faculty Member as well as Teacher of the Year. Building upon his expertise in the field of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Dr. Wisneski's 25 years of experience in the field of medicine has enabled him to develop expertise in clinical practice, medical education, corporate medicine, health care delivery and academic medicine and positioned him uniquely to help guide innovative initiatives in CAM.
Lucy Anderson is a medical author, editor and journalist. After many years of publishing in the leading medical journals she has the ability to make any complicated professional text readable even for non-professionals.
Together they have created a book that may be useful for CAM professionals and interesting for lay people and students.
Book has 8 Chapters and they lead reader step-by-step from classical medicine through the new ideas in psychoneuroimmunology and finely to Energy and Soul Medicine. This is a real integration of somatic, psyche and spiritual approaches to understanding Human Nature. Integration based on very serious scientific background of modern ideas. This is amazing how authors may deal with several thousands references both from books and journals. To some extend this book may serve as an excellent reference-guide on unlimited CAM publications. I would not e surprised meeting in Internet a CAM Database based on this book. Let us hope they would not charge money for using this database...
At the same time this is not an ordinary textbook. Authors propose several ideas groundbreaking for CAM practice and development. First of all together with they pay attention to the existence of Enteric Nervous System (ENS): the third division of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) together with sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. This is a nervous system of the gut and it has activity independent from other parts of ANS. Acceptance of this premise has opened the way to research and discoveries on treatment for a lot of gastrointestinal diseases.
Another important topic is relatively new definition of two independent systems of our organism: the Stress System and the Relaxation System. Nowadays we came to common agreement that stress is an important factor of our life, but in this book you may find description of stress from medical point of view, from its impact on health, illness and memory. Of course, we all know about stress and its impact on our life, but after this book this knowledge acquired the real scientific background related to most delicate mechanisms of metabolic activity. Short chapter on Therapeutic Modalities related to the Relaxation System of our organism may serve as a brief overview and reference guide of different techniques organized in accordance with a type of active operating modalities: Mechanical, Chemical, Light, Sound, Bioelectromagnetic, Thermal, Nonthermal, Psychological. Very useful review if you need to make a first choice for your own practice.
The last three chapters of the book are dedicated to establishing scientific background of the new emerging field of a Subtle Energy Medicine. Acupuncture, QiGong, Reiki and other types of subtle modalities are being attracted more and more attention between professionals at the same time suffer from the lack of serious scientific foundations. We do not really understand the principles of their operation and hence unable to predict the outcome of healing efforts. Plus in all these cases we have the direct interaction between the active force of a doctor and receptive energy of a patient, while in classical medicine doctors serves as a source of prescriptions based on symptoms and analysis.
One of the most impressive in the book is a chapter entitled: "The Pineal Gland: Psychology Meets Energy". Based on the most modern scientific findings authors demonstrate that the pineal gland may be the factor responsible for the reactions of our organism to a lot of subtle influences from electromagnetic waves to the circadian rhythms. 13 pages of references make this material really impressive and important for everybody involved in the field. For several years we may refer to this source in all discussions concerning subtle healing modalities. Their overview in the book creates the useful classification of different practices being more and more widely accepted.
And, finally, the brief discussion of "Soul Medicine: Crossing the Border". This part looks rather as an introduction to the next book, as the topic is controversial and only few researchers have courage to cross the shaky boundaries. The authors offer the idea of "Integral Psychology: Integration of the Body, Mind/Emotions and Spirit". Without any doubts this line would attract attention of the XXI century researchers and several pages of this book will be a helpful resource. Let us hope that in the nearest future Leonard Wisneski and Lucy Anderson present us a book totally dedicated to the Soul Medicine.
As you see from this short description the book "The Scientific Basis of Integrative Medicine" should be an active tool for every doctor, researcher and practitioner involved in CAM practice. Together with scientific lessons written in a very friendly style you will get a lot of pleasure from numerous examples from practice and life experience of Dr. Len Wisneski - one of the leaders of modern Integrative Medicine.

Dr. Konstantin Korotkov
Professor of Physics
St. Petersburg State Technical University
Russia

The Scientific Basis of Integrative Medicine by Leonard Wisneski, MD, and Lucy Anderson is a profoundly important, well-researched book that helps consumers and medical professionals understand the way in which the body works and provides much needed guidance on how to reverse the negative effects of stress.

In a clear and logical fashion, the authors review the physiological systems of the body (the nervous system, the endocrine system, the stress system and the immune system) that are responsible for the mind/body connection and explain how these systems interact with one another to communicate vital information. The authors then detail the interactions between the stress system and other classic body systems, and explain the way in which stress can lead to specific illnesses such as cancer and heart disease.

The authors then move beyond the traditional understanding of body systems, and posit the existence of an endogenous relaxation system that, amongst other things, counterbalances the stress response. After presenting a theoretical basis for the relaxation system, the authors review a variety of healing modalities (including osteopathy, sound and bioelectromagnetic techniques) that can reverse the effects of stress. Finally, the authors look beyond the mind-body connection to examine the relationship between spirituality and health.

In The Secret Strength Of Angels: 7 Virtues To Live By, Frederic Flach focuses on the subject of angels, who they are, what they do, and how we can learn from them to communicate better, strengthen our mental and physical health, and lead happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. This abridged audiobook presentation is ably narrated by the author and highly recommended, informative, life affirming listening. Total Time: 3 hours.

"The Secret Strength of Angels" speaks to the soul expressing what has been too often inarticulate in our busy and troubled lives.An astonishing book full of surprises,describing experiences we rarely admit to others and usually deny to ourselves. We pay a high price for not heeding "The Better Angels of our Nature" and though living like an Angel is never easy, Frederic Flach does point the way in a book overflowing with human beauty.

Taught by Judeo-Christian heritage that we are created "a little less than the angels", this book is a guide to becoming more like the angels and as a result better persons. Since this book is incredibly easy to read its content may be dismissed. I hope it won't. I read it during the early part of Advent and plan to re-read it during the Lenten Season. I strongly recommend this book for all who are tired of books of instruction on how to manipulate others as a route to happiness.

It is about time that someone helped us to better understand angels! This is not your typical recounting of this and that angel story but a real life lesson on how we can in a sense become angels ourselves, or maybe we already are! This book is for non believers that may want to tap on this power that is within and around us . And for believers who always need affirmation. This book is for all of us who ask, "what is the purpose of my life?" This book will guide you to the answers you seek and maybe even with the help of an angel!

On this helpful cassette CD, Louise Hay provides a powerful psychological tool for healing oneself. She explains the power of memory and emotion in the healing process; she talks about her own life, how she was abused as a child and how she overcame this trauma through the application of understanding and forgiveness. It also discusses the principles of personal transformation and contains a beautiful healing meditation that includes sections on how to forgive oneself and others, how to let go of negative thoughts and how to become the optimistic, joyful and created person that we were all meant to be. Hay has a powerful reassuring voice and her words exude confidence, insight and optimism. I highly recommend this CD to all who need psychological support in physical or mental healing. In my experience it has been most effective. Also listen to her tape Meditations For Personal Healing, a series of meditations that covers all the important aspects of life and Self-Esteem: Motivational Affirmations For Building Confidence and Recognizing Self-Worth.

Since 1988, I have listened to Louise on cassettes. In 2003, the cassettes wore out and I now am the proud owner of 21 of her CD's and several of Louise's books. Her personal story is inspiring to me. She teaches that your thoughts can be your best friend or your enemy! And how you can change a thought! For almost 20 years, Louise has been of great assistance to me in helping me get through some rough times and move on to a happier life. On this CD, she really explains how to heal yourself and this CD has been a big help to me!

Lost my original one and so I had to re-order it. It helps me calm down and sleep, and also the ideas are very healthy.

This audio CD is very relaxing. Hay has a nice, gentle voice and is easy to listen to. I also find her message quite credible and helpful.