Complementary-Therapy Books

Well written, easy to read and understand. A must have for any woman who wants the power to take care of herself without involving the male-dominated medical profession.

HERBAL VOICES, by Kathleen Dougherty is the book to read if you are looking for a way to familiarize yourself with herbalists as well as their practices and history. Dougherty interviewed dozens of American herbalists, asking them salient questions such as "How did you become a herbalist?, What is the nature of your remedies?", and "How do you think science enters into the equation?" The first 100 pages of this book form a summary of her findings and conclusions, and the remainder is a distillation of 20 selected interviews.

I found Dougherty's book enlightening because it discusses the role of science (experimental) in conjunction with the traditional use of herbs for healing and/or preserving health (experiential). Holistic herbalists deal with areas science cannot address because science is linear and never proves anything. Science can only suggest with a certain degree of confidence that such and such is "likely" to be connected or that selected events are correlated - and do this only if the thing being observed or studied can be subjected to a clinical trial or something equivalent.

Holistic practitioners, on the other hand, do not view the Body-Mind-Spirit as three distinct entities that can be analyzed separately. They also generally follow the guidance of a particular tradition handed down from `wise elders' who preserved the cumulative wisdom of the ages. Along with what to obtain and how to use it, these wise elders have passed along shamanistic rituals that work with the whole person.

The Holistic herbalist considers the role of the individual human spirit in health. Holistic practitioners also practice a "hands on" approach, that involves touching in the form of massage or healing hands. Furthermore, herbalists generally do not use their herbal products like medicine dispensed at a pharmacy. For example, if you take Echinacea to do it in the most effective way you must take it in a certain manner, which does not necessarily mean popping denatured tablets purchased at a Natural Food Store in your mouth every day. The naturalistic viewpoint suggests that whole herbs you grew and processed yourself with love are the best way to go, and these products must be handled with care. Growing your own herbs and learning to make tinctures, salves and other products is the best way of all - and don't forget to give thanks to the Source.

This is an excellent, well written book and a must for anyone who seeks to understand these healers and their practices.

Herbalism by Sue Hawkey is an excellent guide for the novice or more experienced individual interested in the use of herbs to treat common ailments with common sense. Magical cures or brand name store products are not promoted only historical natural remedies. Cautions are explicit. This is a good basic understanding of the benefits of herbs, how to find and select herbs, how to prepare them, and how not to abuse their use. A good value, excellent gift, and a permanent place holder in our library.

An essential book for all medical physicians, pharmacists, naturopaths and herbalists. It has comprehensive information about 100 of the most popular herbal and nutritional supplements and provides the latest evidence in a balanced way and a readable format. The ready reference drug-interaction section is the most extensive around and also has beneficial interactions in it. A real winner !!

PS its in ENGLISH

Until you have read Herbs and the Earth by Henry Beston, you know half of what the Earth knows of magic, fine gardening and great literature. I have read most of the writers from Findhorn and Perelandra, as well as Emerson, Thoreau, Steiner and the rest; I find here a more authentic connection with the earth from one of the most eloquent translators of her many voices. You will find much love and lore in this book. Beston's depth and devotion will amaze and delight you. I consider this the herbalist's bible, if only they knew it!

this health guide will take you to a process of detoxification with herbs and teas that will explain to you step by step how to detox your overloaded poision body in the best gradually way known to the alternative medicine. what to eat\ when\ and how\ and for how much time to do each stage.the liver immunization and cleancing is a major role of the plan and it is explained in simplicity and details as well.how to avoid unnecesary side effects are also explained, and a section on special teas are also discovered.what kinds of herbs that should not mixed together are also explained and also what kind of preparations before the cleancing you should do is also there. superb practical logical scientific and easy to follow. very recommanded!

This book was first published by Rodale Press in 1977, in a paperback edition two years later by Bantam Books and a ten-year anniversary edition was commissioned and published by Ten Speed Press in 1986. Now another 15 years have passed and yet, when I look over this book, I still am amazed at how current it is. At least 90 percent of the information still applies and is as current as it was when I wrote it in 1976. About 5 percent is dated and only 5 percent is dangerous nonsense! Of course, I'm not going to tell you which 5 percent that might be--I'm sure you will spot it right away! Concentrate on the 90 percent--it is still good value.

Feel free to contact me for more information and do visit my website at http://www.wellnessweb.com

This is an amazing book. If you've smoked a lot of marijuana, done coke or even heroin and have ever stopped to question why, or even if you've never taken a drug in your entire life you still should read this book. There is no judgment, no losers trying to write a book on self-help or some nut trying to sell you a system. This is serious research, a story of amazing life experiences and a manual to repair the damage that life does on each and every one of us, drugs or no drugs. It beautifully weaves the intricacies of Chinese Medicine and philosophy with western thought and real-life events, in an entertaining and page-turning way. To my knowledge no other book or document has been able to truly describe what drugs actually do to us, why they are so popular, and most importantly how we can feel just as good without the drugs.

This is a must have book. Something to own, something to read again and something to recommend to others. You'll be amazed that the path to changing you life is as simple as getting up in the morning and drinking a glass of water.

John S. Haller Jr.'s THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN HOMEOPATHY: THE ACADEMIC YEARS, 1820-1935 considers the state of medicine in the early 19th century, its evolution, and its growing acceptance of Hahnemann's theories of homeopathy. Changing relationships between traditional medicine and homeopathy and tensions between academic and domestic circles are revealed in chapters that survey all kinds of influences.

The most comprehensive statement of what holistic medicine is about. This book is inspiring and daunting and intelligent. It gives us a way to see not only our healing process, and the role of healers, but of ourselves in society and time and space. I think it should be required reading for doctors, nurses, patients, alternative healers, psychiatric doctors and social workers.