 Books
Complete
Book of Chinese Health & Healing
Reid's book on Chinese medicine, martial
arts, meditation, and related subjects is
thorough, clear, and informative. It opens
with an account of the three treasures of
Taoism: essence, energy, and spirit. Then,
Reid weaves ancient and modern Chinese healing
and Taoism together in order to paint a good
picture of the background and current practice
of his subjects. The portrayal involves contrasting
Chinese and Western theory and practice--contrasts
that sometimes identify major problems in
the Occident. It also involves defining medicine broadly
so that material appears on low-energy electrical
waves as well as on the dangers of the standard
American diet. While the book contains much
practical material on Chinese remedies and
techniques, it also underlines the Chinese
emphasis upon prevention; indeed, "traditional
physicians regard disease as a failure of
preventive health care," Reid writes, "not
as an opportunity to test new drugs on patients.
Chinese
Herbal Medicine
Over a span of 5,000 years, China has established
the world's most extensive pharmacopoeia of medicinal
herbs. Through empirical knowledge of nature,
practical application, and gradual reasoning
based on experience, a system of herbal medicine
has evolved that is as highly developed as Western
medicinal science. Chinese herbal medicine is
a subject surprisingly neglected in current literature.
The highly illustrated Chinese Herbal Medicine fills
this void, providing the general reader with
insight into one of the world's most complex
and little-known sciences. It examines the natural
flora and fauna on which herbal medicine is based
and explains the philosophy that propelled its
development. Describing the art and practice
of herbal medicine as applied today, it also
highlights the potential to combine modern Western
diagnosis, and traditional Chinese treatment
to form a complete and effective system for both
preventative and curative medicine. Chinese
Herbal Medicine is based on research provided
by contemporary experts, among them Dr. Huang
Powen, an herbal physician and acupuncturist,
and Dr. Hong Yixiang, a Kung Fu master and licensed
herbal doctor, both based in Taiwan. The text
includes a color-illustrated list of 200 major
herbs detailing their use, and provides herbal
recipes for some common ailments.
A
Complete Guide to Chi-Gung
Chi-gung, which literally means "energy
work," is a system of cultivating health,
vitality, and longevity that is based on the
fundamental principles of Taoism and the laws
of nature. Practiced by the Chinese for thousands
of years, chi-gung works with the energy
found in all living things to help rid the body
of the imbalances that sap our strength and give
rise to disease. The simple, meditative movements,
breathing exercises, and massage techniques that
are the basis of chi-gung can be practiced
by anyone, regardless of age or physical fitness.
A
Handbook of Chinese Healing Herbs
Traditional Chinese medicine is perhaps the oldest
system of health care in the world—and
one of the safest and most effective. This first
easy-to-use pocket guide provides everything
readers need to know to explore Chinese herbal
medicine for themselves. The book includes: A
brief overview of the basic terms and concepts
of traditional Chinese medicine. Simple instructions
on how to prepare herbal formulas at home. An
illustrated guide to 108 of the most widely used
Chinese herbs, with descriptions, therapeutic
effects, preparation methods, and dosages. A
guide to dozens of readily available prepared
herbal formulas for common ailments. An index
of symptoms and ailments. Listings of mail-order
houses for herbs, herbal formulas, and other
supplies. Suggestions for further reading. |
