Complementary-Therapy Books

Flower Essences are not as well known as they should be.

Though there is precious little scientific research to support their use, there is a great deal of practical experience to show that they can be often be very useful complements to other forms of therapy.

This is an excellent book on the original Bach Essences. One would have thought that there is little new to be said about them, but there is much in the book that is new and original.

Highly recommended.

Julian Barnard's lyrical narrative of Bach's discovery of the remedies reads like an engaging novel and a scholarly textbook at the same time. It's an unexpected page-turner that evokes the excitement Bach must have experienced over 75 years ago, and illuminates Bach's personal evolution of consciousness that lead to his role as a radical healer.

But Barnard's innovative thinking breaks new ground, while faithfully building upon the foundation of Bach's seminal work -- delivering penetrating insights into the mystery of why and how flower essences can and do heal.

One of the most compelling aspects of this book is the revelation of spiritual truths that can now be openly broadcast to a more accepting spiritual culture. Bach prudently and cleverly curbed his message to conform to an early 20th-century level of consciousness.

Julian Barnard truly embodies the spiritual legacy of Dr. Bach. His contribution is a seamless continuation of Bach's mission and revolutionary message about healing.

Moreover, in 1988 Barnard created HEALING HERBS, a company that produces remedies that are prepared precisely according to the original directions of Dr Edward Bach. I have used these remedies and know them to be effective ... and after reading this book, I understand why they are among the finest flower essences available!

This book is fantastic. This book helped me a lot to understand the flowers. He details the plant and all the characteristics that really help you understand how that particular flower works.

I've got a lot of books on the Bach flowers, but could not put this one down.

The author writes poetically and can add a lot of depth to your understanding of the remedies.

An amazing book for those who wish to get off the dieting bandwagon, live life to the fullest, increase self confidence and feel freedom around food. I cannot praise the authors and the enclosed principles enough

Amazing book. After almost 20 years of disordered eating and thinking this book has helped me to be at peace with food and my body. I cannot praise the Authors and the principles enclosed in the book enough. For those of you who long to feel freedom around food and escape negative body image issues - this book is for you...and your friends....and their friends etc.....Get off the diet bandwagon and live your life to the fullest - this book will help you get started and you will never look back.

Sophie and Audrey are not the first people to come out with a non-diet approach; in fact, intuitive eating and listening to your body has been advocated for a long time (e.g. Cherie Martin's book "Naturally Slim" from 1995, or any of Geneen Roth's publications, or similar books written by the German psychologist Doris Wolf). However, I really like the no-nonsense and no-pressure approach that these two sisters apply. They say it as it is, and make it easy for readers to identify with the subject matter. Sadly there are no workshops here in the US (yet), but their book finally got through to me and I have at last decided to ditch the diet mentality and to really try and live more intuitively and freely. Thank you so much for the wonderful inspiration!

Of all the good books about healing I have read I believe this enlightened work, `Bio-Etheric Healing,' is at the topmost branch of the alternative healing tree. Author Trudy Lanitis made four new discoveries when bringing to fruition 'Bio-Etheric Healing.' (1) "The breakthrough of DIRECT communication with the Etheric Body. (2) The new knowledge that the Etheric Body IS ACTIVELY INTERESTED in maintaining the health of the Physical Body and is eager to help do so. (3) The new knowledge that the Etheric Body is able to provide some useful DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION, when asked. (4) The new knowledge that the Etheric Body is able to ORGANIZE and DIRECT ALL OF THE OTHER PLAYERS (the Chakra System, the other layers of the Aura, et cetera) to do the necessary healing. However, it does not take the initiative on this, but is happy to respond to request for healing actions from us directly." An original model for communicating with one's own Aura, and Etheric Body, is thoroughly presented in this work along with easy to understand procedures. The author's model explains how to understand thought processes and methods for using the subtle energies of the Aura. Also, I learned how traumas, actions, and mental states in present and past lives, producing negative life situations, can be healed. Trudy Lanitis guides us along an elevated path including nutrition, centering, and how the Etheric Body can contact and monitor the different bodily energy centers. And it's wonderful to learn that communicating with the Etheric Bodies of others can help with their healing processes. I discovered instructions about how to work with karma to overcome bad luck and realize goals. Anyone interested in developing these skills, for healing and creating a rewarding reality, can enter today upon the path of 'Bio-Etheric Healing.'

Review by Bernie P. Nelson, Senior Editor, Lightword Publishing Co.

Lanitis has opened a way for any ordinary human being to feel powerful when dealing with health issues. A WONDERFUL gift!

What a gift! This book and it's author have totally changed the way I deal with health issues. I use the information and techniques from Bio-Etheric Healing on myself and loved ones regularly. This book is easy to understand and very effective. I've become very connected with my etheric body over the last six months, and have had amazing healings take place! Everyone should have such a gift.

Michael J. Shea is so generous! I'm half way through his book and I'm changed forever! For the very first time, I can see inside me and I've started to clear up the clutter. Thus my time has lengthened and I can accomplish more & be more effective in my communication with others. I feel so confident now with regard to my career & my life. And I'm getting great responses from the outside world; thus validating my new direction.

This book was a delightful surprise for me. A long-term student of vitalistic chiropractic, biodynamics, poetry, and the Natural World, I was very pleased to see that this book embodied all of that and more. Today, we are witnessing the "waking up" of many people in the West, many of whom teach, hold satsang, and give pointers to the "beyond the Beyond." In this book, Michael Shea doesn't just write about Truth, but teaches ways to perceive and access It, in ways that are simple, profound, even romantic (in the best, biggest sense of the word). Sure, this is another in a stream of (mostly wonderful) books on the "new" field of Craniosacral Biodynamics, and it succeeds on that front. But, more importantly---to me---this text skillfully posits cranial work almost as a metaphor for the spiritual path of the Natural andd Naturally Non-Dual World and ushers you towards the means to embody that.

And---this is only Volumee One of Three!

I've been involved in alternative health since my early 20's and have read and studied extensively in body and energy work, nutrition, and numerous forms of healing, far too many to mention. I gravitate naturally to energy work and have been very interested in the visionary aspects of cranial therapy ever since reading the books of Milne, Gilchrist, and Sills.

Dr. Shea's book easily holds it's own with these forward thinking individuals and helped open new insights in my thought process regarding the role of embryology, psychology, and mythology as it relates not only to energy work but also to us as human beings. He started me thinking in whole new directions from perspectives I had only touched upon in the past. For me the section on embryology was worth the cost of the book but there was so much more as a bonus.

I have not studied cranial osteopathy, or cranial sacral therapy, specifically but have come to many of the same experiences mentioned in these books naturally in my own journey with energy healing. Not having the same terminology as an osteopath some of the material went over my head not because I couldn't understand it but more because I was less interested in trying to learn it. I was able to get the underlying meaning quite easily anyway because of Dr. Shea's writing style. I would highly recommend anyone involved in healing, or therapy, to read this book as there are a ton of insights in it that will help any therapist regardless of modality.

Dr. Shea is very engaging, extremely honest about his own past experiences, which I found truly authentic and much appreciated, and he is also an enjoyable writer...important in such a book. Believe me, as I've read many such books that weren't and they can be agonizingly long.

I am looking forward to the next volume in the series when it comes out and will be among the first to buy it. Biodynamic Cranial Therapy is one for the book shelf. Hope this helps.

This is a book is about integrative medicine, the emerging field of medicine that attempts to integrate the best therapies from both Western medicine and from non-conventional practices.

As Dr. Dean Ornish points out in his forword, the authors of the fifteen books chapters are striving to build bridges between the two worlds. They have all made profound contributions of their own to the medical community, and the expertise they share in this book may help provide patients with new hope and new choices. There is a great richness of material here, covering many perspectives:

Mainstream physicians such as famed breast cancer experts Susan Love and Debu Tripathy share their experiences and how they came to understand that they had to open their minds and look beyond the traditional boundaries of medicine. Bestselling authors Rachel Naomi Remen, John Kabat Zinn and Michael Lerner share their experiences with the mysterious powers of the mind and heart in the healing process. The role of diet is addressed in chapters by lead editor Mary Tagliaferri and by Larry Kushi. Chinese Medicine, Herbs, Supplements and other natural products are treated in several chapters. Controversial subjects such as distant healing are being explored, and the role of support groups in the well-being of cancer patients is analyzed. There is a portrait of a clinic that has become "a healing place for low-income women", and even tips on how to evaluate health information on the internet.

No one book can cover all the possible alternative and complementary therapies that are being used by breast cancer patients. But one would hope that these thoughtful essays will inspire many more physicians and alternative medicine practitioners to build bridges between their worlds and explore the possibilities of collaboration with open minds and hearts.

This book has helped so many people I know when they found out that they or someone they loved had breast cancer.
Since this book has come out, Dr. Mary Tagliaferri and Isaac Cohen have been doing impressive work at Bionovo (http://www.bionovo.com) to discover and develop new drugs for cancer and women's health. I have heard that they will be publishing a book about menopause that uses the same format as this book soon. What a useful book!

After my diagnosis, I waded through shelves of library books on alternative health/breast cancer/healing options in order to find some of the information in this succinct literate volume. This anthology by complementary and alternative medical experts addresses both scientific and spiritual approaches for living with breast cancer. A road map to help with diagnosis, surgery, and after care . Excellent website directory.

We wrote this book for therapists and other health professionals who are either new to the use of hypnosis as a clinical tool or who have experience with hypnosis and want to refine their skills. It is based on over forty years of the clinical experience of the senior author, Jordan I. Zarren, M.S.W., DAHB, and over twenty years of the clinical experience of the second author, Bruce N. Eimer, Ph.D., ABPP.

Our book teaches basic prnciples for inducing waking hypnosis and hynotic trance. We explain how hypnosis can enhance therapeutic communication and therapy outcomes. We explain the basics of effective hypnotic suggestion and provide numerous scripts containing explicit verbalizations of suggestions and treatment strategies for a wide range of psychological and medical problems (e.g., anxiety disorders, harmful habits, depression, chronic anger, problem drinking and eating, chronic pain, preparation for surgery). A whole section is devoted to Jordan Zarren's highly effective, original one-visit approach for helping people stop smoking.

Hypnosis can be used to shorten treatment time and improve the effectiveness of other interventions. It is very applicable for psychotherapists of any orientation, as well as for psychologists, physicians, dentists, nurses, psychiatrists, mental health and substance abuse counselors, clinical social workers, and pastoral counselors.

Our book will help you as a health clinician, change what you do so that your work is more effective and satisfying, or it will help you to continue to do what you are doing better.

If you are a seriously curious layperson who is interested in learning more about hypnosis and dispelling many of the myths and misconceptions surrounding hypnosis, or if you are considering seeking the services of a qualified hypnosis clinician, this book will be very informative, useful and helpful.

Bruce N. Eimer, Ph.D., ABPP
Board Certified Licensed Clinical Psychologist

As a G.P., I found a lot of ideas in this book. The scripts are clear and easy to use in my office. I have translated and integrated the "smoking cessation programm" in my daily practice. I am waiting for a second book by Zarren in which he would approach more somatic problems.

This is THE handbook for integrating Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Brief Therapy, and Hypnosis into a highly effective model for beginning and experienced therapists.
As a psychologist with 25 years of experience and some training with Dr. Milton Erickson I can still learn from the clever and expert "reframing" and protocols offered by these two distinguished clinicans.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning how to change dysfunctional habits.

A well written book,easy step-by-step instructions.

"You do not have to believe in Guided Imagery for it to work
You just have to have an open mind each time you do it"

I bought Steve Murray's cancer imagery dvds and decided buy the book also. The book took the mystery out of cancer imagery and made it simple to start a program. I recommend the book and getting one of his dvds or videos on cancer imagery. It would be money well spent.

I would highly recommend Steve Murray's Cancer Guided Imagery Programs for anyone currently on the journey of recovery from cancer. I am a current breast cancer patient that was looking for a complimentary therapy to help me reduce my stress level while I was going through chemotherapy.

My doctor recommended that I explore a method that focused on mind, body and spirit. I stumbled upon Steve's dvd series and was amazed at how it put me in a calm state almost immediately. The guided imagery sections were so soothing and relaxing that I felt completely at peace and any tension that I was holding was one. As a result I have not had any of the side effects that most people have with chemotherapy. The visual images are absolutely beautiful and vibrant. During one of the segments, I was convinced that the images leapt off of the screen and surrounded me with healing light. Everytime I watch the dvd, I am further empowered to be able to fight this disease.

My oncology staff at UCLA's Cancer Center acknowledge the effective support the mind/body connection have as an aide in fighting this disease and Steve had perfected the tried and true art of visualization. I have been asked to speak at an awards dinner for the American Cancer Society, in which we will honor 5 individuals who have made great strides in promoting cancer awareness and patient support and I will certainly speak well of Steve Murray's Cancer Guided Imagery programs.

Kim Smith

This is a very informative book with a wide range of information involving Traditional Chinese Medicine. Dr Gao, although I have never met him, obviously works tirelessly on the behalf of those in need of healing all over the world. I say that, because though Dr Gao is in the UK and I am in the US, he is sending me and my partner his all natural Chinese herbal anti-viral pills (known to reverse the effects of HIV disease) all at his own expense.... Two boxes of 25 bottles each every month... Because he knows, or at least trusts when we say, that we cannot afford treatment otherwise. Insurance only backs up the fat cats in big pharma.

Though the true cause of AIDS has yet to be found and it is highly doubtful that "HIV" is the cause (see: http://www.helpforhiv.com), there IS something going on with a large number of persons autoimmune systems. For those of us who have done our research and realize that modern medicine, for the most part, offers harmful toxic pharmaceuticals that can be worse than the "disease" itself to treat illness, Dr Gao is a God-send. His pills have zero negative side-effects.

We stopped taking all pharmaceutical drugs nearly a year ago, but like many we have been in the system for a long time (since '93 myself) and are still bothered by the "numbers game" of blood tests. And the "voodoo" affect can be very powerful. Especially when you have doctors warning you of impending death if you do not follow their advice and take their drugs.

Being that I am not a medical doctor, nor am I a virologist, biologist or any kind of scientist (with the exception of being a metaphysical scientist) nor do I have the time to learn enough technical information to actually KNOW the truth about this, I take precautions. It's really hard to know who to trust these days.

Dr Gao and Chinese Medicine, along with other healing modalities like Reiki, have been our answer and this has led us to discover a whole new wonderful world of natural medicine including herbology and proper nutrition, sunshine, fresh air, exercise and rest and meditation.

There ARE cures out there, but the modern medical cabal calling themselves the AMA, backed by the FDA and pharmaceutical companies do NOT want you to know about them... they would stand to lose millions as natural remedies... those medicines created by our Mother Earth and through the Spirit.... cannot be patented by man an made into cash cows. Remedies are available to everyone but you must be willing to look and do some research because GREED runs rampant in every area of life. Even in some of the so-called natural healing areas.

There is a place for modern medicine, especially in emergencies, but prevention and the natural ways of Mother Nature are far more effective in the long run.

Check out Dr Gao's book and if you have been diagnosed HIV positive or with AIDS are and unwilling (or unable) to take the pharmaceuticals offered today, visit http://www.hivsupport.co.uk/new_treatment.html for more information and please pay them if you can so that they be able to continue their work of improving this life saving and all natural herbal remedy.

Check my profile and visit my website for more info.

Since 3000 b.C., Chinese medicine has been taken into account all the mental, spiritual and physical aspects of patients in order to treat the root causes of their illness and not the symptoms. This book shows how Chinese medicine tries to establish harmony between body, mind and spirit, balancing the Ying and the Yang, and regulating Qi (the vital energy that flows through our body).

This encyclopedia of Chinese medicine is a practical guide that helps to understand the four main branches of Chinese medicine:
- Herbal medicine.
- Nutrition cures.
- Acupuncture.
- Acupressure.

This practical guide is fully illustrated with full color pictures and quick reference tables. The book is useful for all family members: children, pregnant women, and seniors. The text emphasizes on preventive medicine, which is one of the fundamental aspects of Chinese medicine.

Since 3000 b.C., Chinese medicine has been taken into account all the mental, spiritual and physical aspects of patients in order to treat the root causes of their illness and not the symptoms. This book shows how Chinese medicine tries to establish harmony between body, mind and spirit, balancing the Ying and the Yang, and regulating Qi (the vital energy that flows through our body).

This encyclopedia of Chinese medicine is a practical guide that helps to understand the four main branches of Chinese medicine:
- Herbal medicine.
- Nutrition cures.
- Acupuncture.
- Acupressure.

This practical guide is fully illustrated with full color pictures and quick reference tables. The book is useful for all family members: children, pregnant women, and seniors. The text emphasizes on preventive medicine, which is one of the fundamental aspects of Chinese medicine. The book is edited by Dr. Duo Gao, one of the foremost international authorities on the art and science of Chinese medicine.

The encyclopedia of Chinese medicine covers the following topics:
- An introduction to the history an philosophy of Chinese medicine.
- Root Causes of medical disorders and health problems, and they are treated.
- Herbal therapies.
- Qi Gong.
- A full chapter on Acupuncture.
- A full chapter on Acupressure.
- A list of contact and resources on this field.

I loved this read because it contains a very comprehensive picture of chinese medicine theory. It covers in a simple and easy to understand manner the Law of the Five Elements, the Five Devils, and The Five Destructive Emotions. After establishing the theory it teaches you how to make an assesment of a person's particular condition and which techniques can be used to help him/her. The photos are great and the diagrams are very useful.

I used this book to help me study for the non-western portion of the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. It provided me with a lot of information and interesting knowledge on the subject. However, I also used the following which is on amazon.com:
The Ultimate Study Guide for the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork: Key Review Questions and Answers Vol 1, Vol 2, Vol 3
Author: Patrick Leonardi
The last three books was so on target with the type of questions asked on the National certification examination. I passed the first time with the help of these four books.

I am a practitioner and teacher of Tui Na massage, and Qi Gong exercise enthusiast. Having read most of the popular books on the subject of Tui Na, and studying from various masters, I can say that Sarah Pritchard's "Chinese Massage Manual" is a very well-written and clearly organized introduction to any beginning student or casual reader. I use this book as a textbook for classes I teach at two San Diego massage schools.

It's amazing to read Dr. Kim's work and find my own constitution described. You will too! Find your body type and then understand your body's strengths and weaknesses, what foods help and/or hurt you, what type friend you make. He even provides a list of famous people with similar body types, like Marilyn Monroe and Bruce Lee. Even the hero and villan sets Kim describes are intriguingly paired; his descriptions help me understand how balanced the whole world is and how we can understand ourselves more clearly by understanding concepts laid out in Kim's interesting, first-rate book. If you're into keeping healthy, Compass of Health is a must read!

This book is a real page turner! The author explains this "new" approach to self discovery through a personal characteristics check list.
I've always been a curious person concerned with self developement and this book is a unique breath of fresh air! It's a different approach for me and worth the investigation of anyone who wants to learn who they are and how to help themselves through the principles mentioned. Very readable and enlightening.

The Compass Of Health is very easy to understand and is an essential read for anyone looking to get their life and health back in balance. Sasang Medicine is not only a healing art for the body it is an art of living a good life. Traditional Eastern Medicine has been around for a long time and has been helping people for a long time. It is well worth your time to read this book and learn about Constitutional Medicine from Dr. Kim.