Naturopathy Books

This book was recommended to me by a friend who has been disabled for fifteen years from back pain (and four back surgeries to try to elminate it). As he knows more about back pain than I ever will, I dove into the book eagerly with my yellow highlighter in hand. The book is well laid out; takes enough time to lay the premise, then provides case histories to "prove" the theory. I admit I read it eagerly and rapidly, eager to get to the "how" portion of the book. It wasn't until I started re-reading (with a different color highlighter) that I really "got" the book - years of anger and unforgiveness come out as pain - my friend exhibited back pain; I exhibit psoriasis. All those things that have been "itching" to get out of me finally blossomed into psoriasis. I so do not want to have an auto-immune disorder - I read this book as if my life depended on it - and I can now see clearly the relationship between unsaid words and itching. I continue to re-read; one of John Sarno's patients wrote a "how to do this book" described in one of the later chapters: read the book; start re-reading and continue re-reading for 30 days. It takes about that long for "it" to sink in and for one to "get" it. For example, I was angry when I got home from work last Friday night, and because I read this book, I was able to process my anger and let it go before it did me in. I heartily recommend this book to anyone dealing with back or other pain; rheumatoid arthritis or other auto-immune disorder; or anything that causes your life to "not" work. God bless you!

I was lying in bed this morning, terrible abdominal pain in my gut, and I started using Dr. John Sarno's instructions (page 139 in this book, and on page 70 in his "Healing Back Pain" book) instead of reaching for a Vicodin as I usually do. I first started running down all the instances of rage in my life. It was overwhelming. As I went through each experience and tried my best to forgive and release it, the pain got worse. That told me unquestionably that there was a relationship between the emotions and the pain.

In one instance in my life where I had rage due to an intolerable work situation, I also had surgery to remove two herniated discs during that period of my life. This was not a coincidence.

Based on the amount of rage I saw in my mind, I realized this was going to take a while. After I came to that realization, I just decided to be patient with it, and chip away at it a little each day. I also prayed for guidance as to how to best forgive and release this rage that I didn't want in my life anymore.

Then, a peace of mind filled me, and I drifted off to sleep. Where a small amount of rage was removed, peace filled in the empty space vacated by the rage. I didn't expect that. After a brief nap, the pain had subsided enough for me to get out bed and start my day.

Dr. Sarno didn't mention anything about his method creating peace of mind. Sweet!

After suffering a life tragedy about 8 years ago I started having unrelenting, debilitating back pain and spasms. I was given a myriad of tests and prescriptions, went to physical therapy and even when to a pain specialist. After a couple of visits the pain specialist recommended Dr. Sarnos book. I read the book all the way through and went back and reread the areas that pertained to my situation. Over the next few weeks my tension myositis disappeared. I have recommended this book to anyone I know with chronic, debilitating pain.

A few years later after my first pregnancy I suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome. After a while I remembered Dr. Sarnos book discussing carpal tunnel. I reread the book and my symptoms eased substantially.

Even if, like I, the pain does not go away I'm positive Dr. Sarnos' insight into the Mind Body connection will help those with chronic pain manage the stress induced symptoms.

The chapters on psychology may be a bit too detailed for most people, nevertheless, this is an excellent reference book for understanding a variety of ailments and bodily pains, often misdiagnosed, but usually caused by tension. It is also a good complement to Dr. sarno's Healing back pain, which helped me recover from chronic pain in my back, legs, knees, feet, neck, arms, and hands, and completely disability. Here's a list of tension-related conditons Dr. Sarno mentions in this book that is often misgiagnosed:

Head, face, and mouth: dizziness, ringing in the ear (tinnitus), migraine headaches, Tempromandibular joint syndrome (TMJ), teeth grinding, canker sores, Bell's palsy, trigeminal neuralgia, Raynaud's phenomenon, spasmodic dysphonia

Back, hip, and leg: Degenerative osteoarthritis, sciatica, pinched nerve, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, ruptured or herniated disc, spondylolisthesis, the pryformis syndrome, osteoarthritis of the hip, spina bifida occulta, pulled hamstring, ondylolysis, fibromyalgia, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, myofacial pain syndrome, post-polio syndrome, facet syndrome

Neck, shoulder, arm, and hand: osteoarthritis, pinched nerve, thoracic outlet syndrome (TOC), repetitive stress injury (RSI), whiplash, carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, tennis elbow, torn rotator cuff

Cardiopulmonary system: asthma, sinusitis, hay fever, palpitations, some types of high blood pressure, chronic bronchitis, tachycardia, mitral valve prolapse (heart murmur), ectopic heartbeat

Skin: rash, acne, hives, psoriasis

Gastrointestinal system: colitis, heartburn, hiatal hernia, spastic colon, irritable bowel syndrome, cramps and chronic diarrhea not caused by an infection, chronic constipation

Genitourinary system: prostatitis, frequent urination, frequent urinary tract infections

knees and feet: tendonitis, chondromalacia patella, torn meniscus, bone spurs, neuroma, plantar fasciitis, leg cramps, metatarsalgia, shin splints

Immune system: repeated colds and infections, yeast infections, Epstein-Barr virus (mononucleosis), hay fever

Other manifestations of repressed anger may be:
Ï Subclinical depression
Ï Depression
Ï Anxiety attacks
Ï Chronic fatigue syndrome
Ï Bulimia
Ï Anorexia
Ï Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia
Ï Some acquired allergies
Ï Chronic pain
Ï Lyme disease (a bacterial infection caused by tick bites; however, finding the antibody titer in the blood is blamed for the cause of chronic pain)
Ï Spasms of the diaphragm, chest, and lungs, leading to hiccups, angina, and asthma respectively.

This is definitely an excellent reference to have in one's personal library.

The Mindbody Prescription: Healing the Body, Healing the Pain

I've read the other reviews for this book. Some are lengthy, erudite discussions of the fine points of Sarno's theories.

I think everyone who has really thought about it seriously, realizes that of course our minds can control our bodies to an extent. Sarno's basic thinking is that most diseases, chronic pain, etc. can be grouped together in one neat package, and by using his process, cures and relief can be affected.

In many cases, I think this is true. My only problem with the premise of the book is that if you accept his ideas and use his process, but do not experience a diminishing of pain, or a cure for a chronic condition, it's your fault for not doing it well enough, long enough, or correctly. This may not be his intent, but it's what I came away with after having read the book carefully, twice, highlighting important points.

I find it problematic that if a patient tries very hard, follows all the steps outlined, and still suffers, he/she will exacerbate the chronic condition or chronic pain because of guilt and feelings of failure.

This is one person's opinion. Take it for what it's worth. I will continue to meditate, use biofeedback, and rest in a dark room when I get a debilitating migraine. And, yes, I will medicate according to my pain doctor's directions, too.

Dr. Pagano has written a great account of the true cause of Psoriasis, a detailed a thorough plan of action for treatment, and a long-term view on the way to prevent recurrence. Though some supplements, such as herbal teas, are needed, these are not very expensive and can save you hundreds of dollars compared to pharmaceutical products and steroids.

Best of all, you will not have any side effects from following the regimen (other than going to the bathroom more often, which is actually a good thing). In general, you will feel better and gain confidence from knowing you are in control of your own skin.

Please do not go try harmful pharmaceuticals like Enbrel that kill your immune system and can cause death from a minor infection, at least give an alternative approach before having to shell over the big bucks (around $1,000 per month) for the killer drugs. With the alternative approach, once your body and immune system are in balance again, you will not have to continue to take a lot of supplements to keep your skin looking clear, rather than a temporary fix to suppress the systems while creating other, more severe issues.

This diet got me on the road to healing, and gave me hope where the doctors gave me only despair and cream with a black cancer warning label.

I found, from a very smart guy named Randall over at alt.support.skin-diseases.psoriasis on the news groups, that I could "cheat" this diet almost completely except during an outbreak when going to far with alcohol, etc. The simple program I use is to take a table spoon of sweet whey (Bob's Red Mill sells it, it's VERY cheap). This feeds the "good" gut bacteria, which balance the immune system and line the gut.

But you may have to start with a probiotic powder mixed with oil, which keeps the stomach acid from killing the probiotic. Of else you could try Flora Smart probiotics (sold here), they seem to have a special liner that works. If you really want to go after it, try thewholewhey(DOT)com. The sell a probiotic implant system, but be ready for a little surprise how it works!

You can read all about this over at the news group I mentioned. Again, the book was great, but with the additional knowledge, I have been able to go back to a nearly normal diet for 2 years and keep the P totally clear, except for a few times when I drank a beer every day or two for a while.

Good Luck!

FOR EVERYONE READING THE TESTIMONIALS, JOHN PAGANO'S METHODS
DO WORK, NATURAL HEALING IS NOT LIKE CONVENTIONAL DRUGS.. THEIR IS NO
MAGIC PILL THAT WILL HEAL PSORIASIS, ECZEMA, OR ANY OTHER CHRONIC SKIN DISEASE., THESE SKIN DISEASES BELIEVE IT OR NOT, ARE A RESULT OF TOXINS GETTING INTO THE BLOODSTREAM, AS PAGANO MENTIONS IN HIS BOOK LEAKY GUT SYNDROME, IS AT THE ROOT.. YOU CAN ALSO TRACE PAGANO'S WORK BACK TO EDGAR CAYCE.. EDGAR CAYCE IS A WORLD RENOWNED NATUROPATH WHO HAS HIS OWN LINE OF SKIN CARE PRODUCTS THRU [...] (PLEASE NOTE I AM NOT ATTEMPTING TO ADVERTISE THEM FOR ANY PROFIT) I AM NOT CONNECTED WITH THEM, I HAVE MERELY BEEN A USER OF THE PRODUCTS. GETTING BACK TO THE CORE MESSAGE.. DETOXIFYING YOUR SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY SOMEONE WITH A CHRONIC DISEASE..
TAKES TIME, AND YOUR SYMPTOMS DO ACTUALLY GET WORSE BEFORE THEY GET BETTER, THIS IS CALLED A "HEALING CRISIS" IN THE NATURAL WORLD, YOUR BODY HAS TO ELIMINATE THE TOXINS, BECAUSE YOUR LIVER, KIDNEY AND OTHER DIGESTIVE ORGANS ARE NOT DOING IT EFFECTIVELY BECAUSE THEIR OVERLOADED WITH TOXINS! IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU DO SOME SERIOUS RESEARCH ON CLEANSING YOUR DIGESTIVE TRACT.. THIS ONE THING ALONE IS LINKED WITH A MULTITUDE OF DISEASES. ONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS SAID THEY DID EVERYTHING BUT THE ENEMAS AND COLONICS, AND WANDERED WHY THEY DID NOT GET ANY RESULTS..

PEOPLE BY FAR THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU NEED TO DO WHILE ON PAGANO'S DIET OR ANYONE'S DIET IS COLONICS.. AND OR ENEMAS.. THIS IS WHAT WILL ELIMNATE THE MAJORITY OF TOXINS BUILT UP IN YOUR SYSTEM, UNTIL YOUR SKIN IS WELL ENOUGH TO DO IT.. (YES YOUR SKIN WHICH IS THE LARGEST ORGAN IN YOUR BODY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ELIMINATING TOXINS.

COLONICS, CAN PREVENT COLON CANCERS, PROSTATE CANCER, AND A HOST OF OTHER DIESEASES.. THE PROBLEM IS OUR SOCIETY IS EATING SO MANY PROCESSED FOODS, THAT ARE CAUSING ALLERGIES, AND DISRUPTING THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM..WE ARE NOT GETTING LIVE ENZYMES, DIGESTING CORRECTLY..
THE OTHER PART OF THE EQUATION IS YOUR DIET.. RED MEATS, HIGH FAT, FOODS
YOUR ASKING FOR IT!!

MY WIFE HAS HAD ECZEMA ALL HER LIFE AND IT RECENTLY, SHE HAD
OUR LAST CHILD IN 2005.. THE DOCTORS GAVE HER ALL TYPES OF PAIN MEDICATION
FOR A C-SECTION DELIVERY.. THE MEDICATIONS SOMEHOW INTERACTED WITH HER
SKIN(THEIR HIGHLY TOXIC) AND SHE FROM THAT POINT HAD PSORIASIS
WE TRIED EVERYTHING LIKE MOST OF YOU.. FROM THE STEROID CREAMS
TO THE SHOTS.. ALL THAT DID WAS HAMPER THE SYMPTOMS.. BUT THEY COME BACK MUCH STRONGER. MY WIFE STARTED GOING FOR THE COLONICS.. HER SKIN STARTED CLEARING INSIDE OF ABOUT 2 MONTHS OR SO.. WE ALSO DECIDED TO CUT OUT MEAT ALTOGETHER EVEN THOUGH PAGANO, DOES SUGGEST CERTAIN MEAT(NOT RED)

I WOULD ALSO RECOMMEND, BENTONITE CLAY BATHS, OR AVEENO ECZEMA BATHS
I WOULD ALSO RECOMMEND BLOOD CLEANSING HERBS, LIKE RED CLOVER LEAF, AND BURDOCK ROOT..

PEOPLE THE DISEASE CAN BE BEAT.. BUT YOU HAVE TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK
AND BE WILLING TO GO OUTSIDE OF THE BOX WITH CONVENTIONAL MEDS..(MEANING YOU NEED TO USE NATURAL HERBS, COLONICS AND EAT THE RIGHT FOODS.
NOBODY IS GOING TO TELL YOU THIS, BECAUSE OF THE U.S. MEDICAL MONOPOLY
HERE IN THE U.S.

I've read this book twice. I followed it as close as I possibly could. I evidently wasn't totally committed because I went back to my old ways. I tried it again later. I did see much improvement in my skin & I lost 35 pounds also (a major plus). Then, on 3-17-08, I read Dr. Peter Gott's column. He always provides "natural" cures to problems. Try rubbing banana skins on your skin?? What? Yes, the inside of the banana skin! After two days (applying morning only), my skin is almost clear on my hands..a place that I couldn't cover up & I was always very embarrassed about. Sounds strange, I know. And I am almost in disbelief...something as common as bananas. I eat them every week..almost daily. I've just never rubbed them on my skin. It supposedly has something to do with the fatty acids in banana skins. Go figure! Here's the article from Dr. Gott's column dated 3-17-08: Question: I have used several of your home remedies with success. The "drunken raisin" for gout, the soap under the sheets for leg cramps, castor oil for arthritis and more. My husband thought I had finally "gone off the deep end" when I went after him with a handful of banana peels. We had been using a prescription medication on his psoriasis every day for more than two years. It has had very little effect. I rubbed the inside of the banana peels on the affected patches (his head, neck, face and back) once a day. After three days, the psoriasis had nearly cleared up (about 90 percent was gone). My husband now uses the peels once a week to keep his skin clear. Thank you, from both of us, for passing along all these helpful hints.
Answer: Other readers have had marvelous success treating their psoriasis with the banana-peel therapy. It is cheap, easy, safe and -- apparently --effective. For those unfamiliar with this therapy, all you do is rub the inside of the banana peel on the affected patches of skin once a day. Remember not to waste the banana. It is nutritious and delicious. End of column.
If you suffer from Psoriasis like I have, try rubbing the banana peel on your skin. What do you have to lose. Bananas are cheap & you were going to throw away the peeling anyway, right? I don't know longterm how this will work for me, only time will tell. In the meantime, I try to eat right and I've begun to exercise. It all plays a part in your overall health. Blessings to you all!

I am so grateful for this book. my road with "THE RASH", as I call it, began just 10 months ago. ten frustrating and frightening (just how much of my body is going to be covered with this disfiguring and insanely itchy RASH? forever?) my dermatologist was completely unhelpful and does not believe there is a connection between what one eats and their skin...hello?!? my doctor, who does understand the connection, could only advise stopping all dairy. I found reference to this book while reading in curezone.com and purchased it right away from amazon. I have followed almost all of the protocol - and it is extensive - and less than 3 weeks later I am 98% free from THE RASH. the program is for those who are willing to do everything it takes. there are no pharmaceutical magic-bullets. there are thoroughly explained and detailed instructions for following this health program. also good photographs of before and afters to generate enthusiasm to get yourself up for this. try not to be daunted, just start. as I said, I am grateful beyond words for john pagano.

This is a good read, but a little out-dated for those who are up to speed on the latest research in natural medicine.

This book is written by two naturopathic doctors who founded Bastyr University in Seattle, WA. Bastyr one of the only accredited naturopathic medical schools in the USA. It is set up by medical problem and explains what and how much of a natural health product may be used to help heal the problem. It simply explains the alternatives that your doctor may not be aware of. A word of caution: Do not self-diagnos. Please see your doctor first to be diagnosed properly. This book is authentic and contains natural medicines that are as powerful as any prescription drugs! Before using anything in this book discuss its use with your physician. If you are taking any medications and use a natural product it could cause an adverse reaction. I highly recommend this book to everyone who wants to seek out the alternatives for a healthier life and lifestyle.

I purchased an older version of this book and now plan to get the updated version. I am really impressed. The book is easy to read, has lots of great information, and answers many questions. It is easy to follow and I think a PLUS for any one who is interested in natural medicine. Too bad more conventional doctors don't have a copy of this book.

I've owned the earlier edition of this book for over 10 years and have used it exclusively for all ailments. It has always provided the most sensible advice. My father frequently called me for medical advice from my book so I bought him this latest edition. He says it has helped him in talking to his doctor by providing good information on the disease, cause, treatment options. It takes the naturopathic approach to treating illness, avoiding pharmaceuticals, and focusing on natural remedies. I would not be without it.

As a former skeptic of naturopathic medicine, I would like to tell people that are considering purchasing this book that it is a balanced, well-written resource.

I appreciate the fact that it cites what we know from mainstream medicine and then illustrates how alternative natural therapies can be applied to various conditions. I also pleased that for each condition, multiple therapies are recommended instead of just one. This allows the reader the ability to tailor their treatment plan to their needs and available materials.

Very educational and well written. Would highly recommend.

Contains a valuable amount of information. Alot of great recipes for healing aids. I still use alot of the recommendations in this book for general health care. I haven't been to a doctor in years, and this book is one of the reasons why. So buy one right away, buy 2 and give one to a friend.

For those who wish to explore beyond the medical orthodoxy for treatments of everyday ailments this book is a must read. However, always discuss any alternative treatments with your medical practitioner if taking natural remedies in conjunction with orthodox medications.

I am really glad there are people out like Dr. James Duke because I am an herbalist and I enjoy this book immensely.

I bought this book based on other people's recommendation of this book. I was disappointed and the lesson I have learned was not to buy a book other the internet without having a chance to flip through it. The print is large so there isn't much ailments covered. If you want an herbal pharmacy guide, I would go with something else. This is basically an "herbs for dummies" book, not a book with real solutions. DON'T BUY. I want my money back..

This compendium of natural remedies, compiled by James Duke, offers herbal and occasionally nutritional solutions for coping with over one hundred different health issues. You can find "Arthritis soup", broth for strengthening bones, "Biblical brainfood soup", soup for strengthening your heart, herbs for dealing with allergies, tea from breast enlargement, even how to make your shampoo to get rid of dandruff.

I have an assortment of books with herbal remedies and this one is among the best of them. What puzzles me is that while they may mention which parts of the herbs to use, practically none of them mention that some constituents in herbs are water soluble, some are only soluble in alcohol, some in oil, and that different methods of preparing herbs will influence what you get out of those herbs. This book also, for the most part, just mentions the herb's name and what are the healing constituents, but it doesn't say what by what method of extraction do you get which constituents.

I was extremely impressed with this book. It is very easy reading. Like other reviews said, there are only a few pages to each items. The author, I believe, is a medical research journalist. Her premise for this book was weeding out what really helps vs. those "cures" with no real substantiation. For example,CQ10, she gives the name of studies names of MD's. Her research is NOT just annecdotal.
My mother has congestive heart failure and was not doing well. Her cardiologist gave me a pretty gloomy report about her condition and I thought her days were extremely limited. After reading the book, I spoke to her cardiologist about CQ10 -400 mgs. a day. He didn't believe in it but said if I wanted to waste my money, go right ahead. Well, about two months later, he called to tell me her heart was a lot better. Hhhmmm? Yes, she was on his prescription meds but that treats symptoms. The book mentioned other countries, gave the name of a heart specialist in CT. In other countries, I remember Israel as one, CQ10 is standard treatment. The author, Carper, even gave the name of a cardiologist in CT who had wonderful results with CQ10.
To me, this book was not the usual hype. It has the documentation I needed.
Another example, St. John's Wart for depression. In Germany herbs are studied and every doctor and pharmacist is trained. There has been extensive research. Germany certainly is not 3rd world slouch in medicine. They prescribe St. John's Wart over Prozac. It's just as effective without the side effects.
Before you use any supplement, if you're smart;you go online and do some homework but in this book, Carper has given you the places to turn to back it up and has recommended the best of the herbal, vitamin cures.
Doctors are not trained in this area. My mother's cardiologist was honest and admitted it.
I was so pleased with Miracle Cures that I'm ordering her food book.
Hope this helps.

This book is dangerous! Couple this with Troudeau's scam and you have a society who will substitute the healing powers of herbs for the lab versions of drugs. Allopathic theory of "symptom-Cure" written in the context of alternative health could very well lead to death. Herbs are medicine, the original medicine, and to tout them as miracle "cures" which will invariably cause people, especially Americans, to rush for the "miracle," can be deadly. Noone should be on medicine or medicications for any length of time, and we certainly should be at a more advanced stage by now to recognize that ANY book that suggests miracle cures is written only for profit, not for the knowledge it imparts. Gangi's book, "Forget The Cures, Find The Cause," was written to combat Troudeau's scam. I believe her book should have superceded this one as well.

You have the choice to control your health by what you put in your mouth. This book is a benefit to your health as not all doctor's will tell you the truth. They want your business so will often tell a "half-truth". It's your body, TAKE CARE OF IT!

I will highly recommend this book to anyone looking for natural ways to control certain conditions that may be cuased mainly by lifestyle. Like cholesterol in some people, heart disease, etc... And if you can't affort a good naturopath, this book gives good advice... Because I know naturopath's can be very expensive, even in thou in my opinion they are worth the money, but not everyone has the cash...

My mother had her cholesterol at 210... After 3 months of taking Fish Oil, Garlic, Pro Fibe (A powder of fiber) and a greens drink, her cholesterol went down to 139!!! I know amazing... And she lost 10 pounds and felt better than ever. She takes her calcium liquid with magnesium and she loves it also.

With me my trigecerides and my heart were very high. My risk of heart attacks was extremely high. And after 3 months of taking Niacin (that's a B Vitamin), taking Fish Oils, and the greens drink, my triglecerides went down to like the 70's... And my risk for heart attacks went down 100%...

This book gives you a good starting point, if you will, for certain conditions.

I hope this review helped you and good luck!

Please don't have false expectations or waste you money on this book before you at least look it over in the local bookstore or library. This book is full of fairly elementary information on a wide variety of herbals. Containing one to three page entries on a wide variety of herbal remedies such as ginkgo, sol palmetto, the wonders of cinnamon and the like. Anecdotal tales that have been around for years nothing beyond what the average salesperson at your local health and nutrition store might tell you. This book's contents hardly qualify as, "new scientific discoveries." Easily as much or more information is available through your favorite search engine. If these things truly were miracle cures the information could not be suppressed, these herbs didn't land in Roswell, they have been around for hundreds of years. If these miracle cures worked beyond a psychologically uplifting level all of us would know far more people who had been cured by herbs than we do those who have had chemotherapy.

Every young adult becoming a woman and African American fully grown women for that matter, who do not know a hill of beans about their afican culture/spirituality should have this book. It is an amazing step by step manual on how to connect and experience the god energy forces and all of the guardians that lives within and without.

There are so many black women who do not know anything but american culture or another race's culture but not their own and has totally abandoned the culture of their true origin of who they really are. well it's never too late to return and this is the book that will take you there.

For bi racial young adults and women it is imperitive that you reach out to this book if you truly want to know and love your true African side of you. You will find it amazingly mysterieous and beautiful. A life style once discovered you would never want to turn away from ever again.

We are not taught the truth about ourselves no where in the world. There isn't even a subject on us in our schools. Even the Africans in Africa has lost the true history, their own history in exchange for others. So grab it now for one day it will be lost for ever if we as parents and a black society do not reawaken our true selves, our true african spirituality.

for the men I suggest metu neter and the tree of life by ra un nefer. May I also suggest men to get this book for thier daughters and wives if you want an african spiritual woman or want to educate your little black or bi racial daughters to the history of herself, this would be a wonderful delightful beginning to start that process with.

To all races feel free to explore the correct black spiritual experience with this book, we've experienced others religions all our lives and what terrible condition we are in, so won't you take a glimpse inside of ours where all others derived but some butchered drastically(especially the ones Africans and African Americans are in a trance over) and our condition is the effect. This African spiritual cultivation manual is life changing and the first civilizations of the world were great ones. This guide to healing ourselves and returning back from whence we come (sankofa)have those elements within it.

This book includes excellent spiritual and physical healing properties. A 'must read' for young African-American women (and others).

It was an easy read. Very informative. Great for women looking to transform their lives and mentality as well as improve spirituality.

This is a very good book, enlightening and I refer to it often. I haven't tried everything, but love the book nonetheless.

Queen Afua?s book provides great insight into women self-healing. I feel inspired reading her words and influenced to take better care of my body, my womb, spirit. It is a great book for Black women and women of color to read also. I am also inspired to search for a woman author from my ethnic background after reading this book. I highly recommend this if you are interested in metaphysics.

I AM SOO VERY ANGRY, I AM BEING CHARGED FOR ITEMS THAT NEVER GOT TO THE PERSON I WAS SENDING C.D.'S AND BOOKS TOO!!!! I ALSO RECEIVED A LATE CHARGE!!!!! I HAVE BEEN A LONG TIME CUSTOMER AND I AM FURIOUS!!! I PAID FOR ALL THE ITEMS MY FRIEND DID NOT RECEIVE AND I WILL NOT ORDER FROM YOU AGAIN!!!!

This is a very well put together resource: well researched, well written, and completely useful as a point of reference and source of information. I highly, highly recommend this publication.

a VERY COMPLETE, INFORMATIVE REVIEW OF ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE RELATED TO ALL TYPES OF ILLNESSES OR HEALTH PROBLEMS. I WAS ESPECIALLY INTERESTED IN THE SECTION ON CANCER, AND FOUND IT IMMENSELY INFORMATIVE. FULL OF ADDITIONAL REFERENCES, ADDRESSES OF EXPERTS ON VARIOUS HEALTH CONCERNS, ETC.

I WOULD SAY IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A GOOD THICK BOOK ON THIS SUBJECT YOU NEED TO GET THIS ONE. VERY INFORMATIONAL. OVER 1000 PAGES. IT'S IN MY TOP
10 BOOKS ON NATURAL MEDICINE. THIS IS THE FIRST BOOK I GRAB WHEN LOOKING UP A CONDITION. I EVENTUALLY ORDERED 1 FOR MY MOM AND A FRIEND.

My dentist had this book in his office. After reading through many of the topic headings, I just had to get it. Now that I have it, I can't put it down. This book explains the difference between traditional and alternative med. as well as the different approaches to alternative medicine. It also directs you where to get more information on the subject you are look at.

It is the most comprehensive book on the subject, I have found so far. If you want to learn more about alternative medicine, this book will be a good pick.

I was looking for a good detox diet, that didn't involve haven't to purchase any products. My mom told me about a candida yeast diet and how it could help with allergies, so I found this book after reading the reviews on here.

Before reading this book I used to suffer from the following allergies symptoms caused by molds, pollen, dust and now I realize yeast too:
* Drowsiness
* Itchy eyes
* Body numbness
* Mind was cloudy making it hard to focus and concentrate

After following each phase as recommended for about a month, I definitely saw a difference, to the point that I don't need allergy medicine or any stimulants, such as caffeine, to keep me awake and alert. I also lost about 15 lbs, and got rid of some chronic diarrhea I had from food poisoning a couple of years before.

People out there might say there is no cure for allergies or other illnesses and this book has proven them wrong and that a good diet eliminates them. I also felt my immune system working more efficiently and colds and flus lasted a much shorter time.

This book isn't a total cure. After the initial diet, I still incorporate many of the foods and techniques, to keep me feeling 100%.

The only negative comments I have is friends would make fun of me for the new diet I was leading and my girlfriend was upset I was paying more attention to the diet instead of her. Also, the index for the delicious recipes could be easier, by listing the types of foods in the recipes, instead of the name of the recipe.

If Jeanne Marie Martin were about 20 years younger, I'd ask her out on a date!!!

The book is good but the beginning is long and drawn out. It takes too long to get to want I was wanting to know.

Basic information is buried under a load of extra, and often extraneous, information, and even then the information is often incomplete, or conflicts with advice given elsewhere with no explanation as to why. The authors seem to be pushing agendas that go far beyond candida management.

This is the only book that really takes you from start to finish with Candida. It not only explained the things to do but why. The author has been through this and the fact that Dr. Zoltan Rona is part of it makes it the "real thing". It is helping me on my way back to wellness.

Zoltan Rona, the co-author of this book, has written online some excellent articles on Candida. However, this book is not much more than a grocery list of supplements and a reiteration of diet hints that is fairly common knowledge. For me, there was not any new or interesting information. The book may proove useful as a first time read for someone who has no prior knowledge of Candida Albicans or what to do about it.

This long overdue book presents a highly regarded step-by-step program that shows how to eat optimally by nourishing the whole person. The techniques in THE HEALING SECRETS OF FOOD are a marvelous blend of ancient and contemporary nutrition and scientific concepts; it is also the first to offer time-tested techniques that hold the potential to invoke the the many ways in which food nourishes. It also offers a broad variety of excellent exercises that show you how to use the concepts in an every day, practical way. A truly important contribution to health, healing and well-being, which I read after taking Kesten's excellent Integrative Eating E-Course on the Spirituality & Health website. Her latest research on the concepts in THE HEALING SECRETS OF FOOD also reveal what she calls "Syndrome O," a pattern of eating and food choices that lead to overeating, overweight, and obesity. Written about in Kesten's "The Enlightened Diet" column in Spirituality & Health magazine, her research motivated me to buy the book and to familiarize myself with her comprehensive program. These are learnable techniques that have transformed what I eat. It's a true blueprint for health and healing.

I hate to write negative reviews, but here goes. I was extremely disappointed in this book. It basically amounts to be grateful for your food, eat with others when you can, chew slowly, and eat whole natural foods. Good advice, yes, but not worth the price of the book. I was also disappointed in the book's failure to include much in the way of scientific proof in support of the statements. Many times the evidence presented is purely anecdotal, or purely personal. Examples of the latter include the author's telling us how a neighbor surprised her one year with a chocolate cake left on the doorstep, and how after she and her husband hiked in the mountains for days on end, they each ate two full meals at the first restaurant they visited. Not much there in the way of nutrition or health information. Lastly, I think that the glowing quotes on the book jacket should come with a truth in advertising disclosure. One of them was written by her husband (who works at Ornish) and another comes from another executive at one of the Ornish groups. Oh, did I mention that the author has worked at Ornish too? I just think that I could have done better for the money, and would advise anyone looking for substantial nutrition and health information to look elsewhere. Like a book by Dean Ornish (who wrote the book's introduction). By the way, one of the glowing 5 star reviews of this book was written by the author's husband, who didn't disclose his status as such in the review. Sheesh; hype, anyone?

Books that deal with preventative health issues are of great interest to me because I learn so much and my life always improves. This is one of those books that is not boring, but such a great joy to read. A physician friend recommended it because it deals with the whole issue of how and where we eat and not just what we should eat.

Part Two chapter two is one of my favorite chapters because it deals with the healing secret of socializing and the "French paradox" which is all about how eating at an hour and with others, that best suits the individual is healthier, and that communing which is where the term communion comes from, helps a person to not overeat and to better digest one food because when we eat amongst those we like, we tend to eat slower and we tend to eat better or healthier foods as well. The story shared in this chapter about the midnight meal is well worth the price of the book itself.

Chapter Seven titled The Healing Secret of Optimal Food is wonderful because it deals with eating healthy whole foods and not getting sucked into believing good food needs to be difficult to prepare or fancy in any way. That having a bowl of fresh apples, oranges, kiwi, bananas, peaches, grapes etc and eating some with pleasure and passion does wonders for the senses. Or a simple fresh spinach salad with lemon juice and oil dressing and cutting off some fresh slices of hearty rustic bread to eat with the salad can be like dining at a quaint café in the French Alps. Or how about some garbonzo beans (chickpeas) with fresh tomato and steamed shrimp with a vision of a Greek seaside café?

The book also speaks of meats and how to choose them wisely and prepare them so they retain their goodness. And eating meat in smaller servings like the French, Italians, Greeks and Asians do, which is more as a condiment in many ways. I was also pleased to read the "Asian Wisdom" section that spoke of how some eat congee which is a soup for breakfast since we eat soup for breakfast a lot. Or even vegetable stir fry.

Come to think of it, the books great value for me, was how it kindly pointed out to Americans that other cultures have a great deal of wisdom to share when it comes to eating well and not being unfit or fat.

This book is a new kind of nutrition guide. It starts with an overview about how so many of us have spun out of control with food--66% are overweight or obese and even more Americans obsess about food by what Kesten describes as "counting calories, watching weight and figuring fat--both in food and our bodies." It then goes on to explain how diet can radically affect more than physical health, that it also influences how a person feels emotionally, even spiritually. The antidote to our disordered eating is the remainder of the book, which turns to science and story-telling to explain long-lost secrets about the many ways food heals. Finally, this book offers a step-by-step, practical solution to eating well and to actually enjoying your food at the same time. This book is highly informative and enlightening. My only criticism: This isn't a cookbook, but I would've liked to see some recipes. Still, it brings up and answers a lot of diet and food questions that other books on the subject miss or ignore completely. It's a gem.

Unlike most books about food and diet, this book is a celebration of the intelligence inherent in both food and in human beings. The approach and guidelines outlined in this book could save you years of confusion about the best way to eat. By merging food wisdom of ancient civilizations and religions into an effective and scientifically validated approach, this book has had a profound influence on my life, the role of food in it, and my health--both mental and physical. I found the "Personal Food Profile" quiz to be an invaluable tool for feedback. Read it--no, savor it--for a new understanding of food.

This book is certainly worth the time. I learned some amazing information from it and it certainly helped open my mind to alternatives. There is still a lot in life that science hasn't solved and there will always be things which we may not figure out. However, just because we don't fully understand them, that shouldn't stop us from using those alternatives.

I would love very much to find Dr Weill's books, espetially Espontaneous Healing" in Español.
I would buy a few copies!!!

Outstanding You: Discover, Design and Achieve Ultimate Fitness

A fantastic book about how to see the body from a whole new perspective. Dr. Weil is able to logically and clearly make strong connections between Western and "alternative" medicines in ways that make them easy to understand. I've read many of his books and without doubt, this is one of his best works. Look for his products at Origins....they are not tested on animals and his supplements are some of the finest around. Strongly recommended for anyone seeking excellent health and an opportunity to get and stay in shape.

FULL DISCLOSURE - I have lymphoma and have been a patient of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for over three years, including a five month chemotherapy regimen.

Besides being the author of this book, which is sub-titled "How to Enhance Your Body's Natural Ability to Maintain and Heal Itself", who is Andrew Weil?

Well, he's a Harvard graduate (Botany) and Harvard medical school graduate, did an internship and then basically dropped out of the standard or orthodox medical field. Spent the next twenty years or so traipsing around the world talking with various shamans, Chinese herbalists, gurus, etc.

And he's gotten to be a very influential guy.

He has been a big proponent of natural therapies for the healing of maladies. While not opposed to allopathic or conventional medicine, Weil heavily criticizes the establishment for emphasizing "disease and it's treatment, rather than health and it's maintenance" (P. 65). He emphasizes natural healing and a variety of alternative therapies. In Weil's view, the body heals itself, it is a "healing system." And the healing system is a functional system, "not an assemblage of structures that can be neatly diagrammed" (P. 65).

Of course this is a point that has been noted by many people, and is obvious to anyone who thinks about it. If you get a cut, the cut heals itself. My son's currently broken ankle will mend itself; he has a cast on simply to protect the ankle from further damage. The cast doesn't heal the break. And the overwhelming opinion is that most cancers heal themselves; our immune system is constantly destroying abnormal cells before they get to any size or we know they are there.

Weil makes a point (P. 110) that "Treatment originates outside you. Healing comes from within."

The book is 280 pages long and divided into three parts. The first section is entitled "The Healing System" and is filled with stories and cases of people who were healed by alternative therapies. Herbs, acupuncture, aromatherapy, certain forms of classic osteopathic medicine, visualization, mind-body interactions, stuff like that.

The second and third sections are entitled "Optimizing the Healing System" - what to do to maintain good health - and "If you get sick". Weil lays out a variety of programs of preventive care. Much of it pretty basic like don't smoke and go for relaxing walks. And then stuff like using tonics and vitamins. The last section is a bit encyclopedic with short sections on various alternative approaches - Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurvedic medicine, imagery and visualization therapy, chiropractic, on and on.

What about cancer? Weil points to the three standard therapies, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, with strong reservations on the latter two. Too much of a bludgeon approach, with chemotherapy especially having possible deleterious effects on other body systems. He suggests that the ultimate "cure" for cancer will come when we figure out how to "turn on" the immune system to attack and destroy the cancer cells, which somehow escaped or inoculated themselves from the body's immune system. As mentioned above, the standard opinion now is that most cancers develop due to an immune system failure. I think his opinion on the ultimate cancer cure is pretty much the standard opinion in the conventional medical establishment.

Of course the whole problem with Weil's approaches - diet, herbs, aromatherapy, "healing touch", is that there is scarcely any real scientific evidence for the efficacy of any of these approaches. It's all anecdotal. Where are the double blind studies, the comparisons between groups - all the studies that can lend credence to the anecdotes?

Weil admits there aren't many studies, and urges the studies be done. And as one of my physicians said to me, "There are no scientific studies. On the other hand, 2,000 years of Traditional Chinese Medicine has to have something to it."

As you can imagine, Weil has some really strident critics in the medical fraternity. No sense going there in this review.

What do I think? Well, Weil is not just another New Age Wacko. Not that I'll be trading my Sloan Kettering doctors for aromatherapy any time soon. BUT I have started taking an immune system support capsule that Weil recommends (I figure it can't hurt - got it at Shoprite) as well as taking glucosamine chondroitin three times a day for my joints, rather then just the occasional pill.

In Spontaneous Healing, Dr. Andrew Weil describes his revolutionary ideas for a new type of medicine, one that is desperately needed in our times. A medicine that works in conjuction with your body's natural healing ability, without the overliance on toxic drugs (which he maintains have their definite place, but are over-prescribed). A medicine that uses the healing power nature and one's lifestyle, including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, and integrates the best of both western type allopathic and natural healing. Medical science needs to look past the Cartesian model of the human as a series of disjointed structures, (mind, body, etc), and begin to see it as the unifed whole that wants to (and can) heal, and live, and prosper. But to do so, it needs the right conditions, which include diet, lifestyle, outlook, environment, community, etc. Spontaneous Healing lays the groundwork for living that type of lifestyle.