Despite the recent upsurge in interest in alternative medicine and unorthodox healers, "Illness and Healing Alternatives in Western Europe" is the first book to focus closely on the relationship between belief, culture, and healing in the past. In essays on France, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain and England, from the sixteenth century to the present day, the contributors draw on a broad range of material, from studies of demonologists and reports of asylum doctors to church archives and oral evidence.

Gestalt in Pastoral Care and Counseling is the only book to provide you with an integrated model of pastoral care and counseling from the perspective of Gestalt theory. Covering all aspects of ministry, including visitation, counseling, worship, and administration, it is a valuable text for advanced undergraduate or graduate classes and small group or individual study for seminaries, church ministries, pastoral counseling training programs, and lay pastoral ministry programs. This book will increase your confidence in your work, help you understand blockages as well as avenues of change, and lead you to a more creative, yet consistent, stance in your ministry.Gestalt in Pastoral Care and Counseling makes clear that all of ministry is, in fact, pastoral in nature. It demonstrates the principles of Gestalt in pastoral ministry in a gradual manner, true to both Gestalt principles and your needs. Some of the topics you learn about include: key elements of Gestalt theory, from the early developers through more recent practices the cycle of experience--a model that provides an understanding of the various steps involved in change on all levels Gestalt applications in pastoral counseling, worship, and administration a theology of pastoral caring--a model for pastoral ministry based on the relational aspects of the Biblical narrative and its application in ministry ideas for continued growth based on daily life experienceWith well-developed presentations of Gestalt principles and pastoral ministry, Gestalt in Pastoral Care and Counseling provides you with a new perspective on the meaning of pastoral ministry. Not only will you learn new skills, you will also develop a new appreciation for what can occur within pastoral relationships. The theoretical basis of Gestalt embraces the whole of life experience as part of the process of change and growth and holds sacred the relationship that exists between persons. As your understanding and use of these principles increases, the quality of care and counseling you provide in your ministry will continue to improve.

A classic in the literature of herbal medicine, this book explains in simple terms the commonly occurring chemical constituents of medicinal plants, and how these react with the human body. The major classes of plant constituents, such as phenols, terpenes and polysaccharides, are described both in terms of their chemical structures and their pharmacological activities. The last 20 years has seen huge growth in research output in phytochemistry, and this edition has been thoroughly revised to incorporate up-to-date research. It contains a new chapter on resins and cannabinoids, and additional content on macrocarpals, essential oil chemotypes, mushroom polysaccharides, phytochemical synergy, and toxicology of phytochemicals. Features include: * Over 200 diagrams of chemical structures * Coverage of energetics, synergism and the emerging field of network pharmacology * New content on seaweeds and fungi, and polyphenol-rich foods * References to primary research literature in pharmacy, pharmacology, chemistry, plant biology, molecular biology, integrative medicine and many other disciplines Written by an experienced herbal practitioner, The Constituents of Medicinal Plants has become a standard textbook for courses on plant-based medicine. It is also an essential desktop reference for health practitioners, lecturers, researchers, producers, and anyone with an interest in how medicinal herbs work.

Given current trends toward obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and poor diets, hypertension is increasingly becoming a disease of the young as well as the elderly, affecting about 1 billion people worldwide. Many patients, especially the younger ones, would prefer alternative treatments. While natural remedies have been used for much longer than pharmaceutical-based treatments, few Western physicians are trained in alternative treatments of hypertension. Written by a dual board-certified nephrologist and internist as well as a Harvard-trained doctor of chemistry, Integrative Treatment of Hypertension: A Clinical and Mechanistic Approach offers an alternative approach to treating hypertension, providing sound mechanisms of action and practical implementation advice. The author meticulously analyzes the efficacy of treatments based on data from respected medical journals. The book begins with an introduction to the subject and explains the mechanisms of blood pressure and hypertension, describes common causes of hypertension, and reviews standard medications and their side effects. The author examines alternative methods of treatment, emphasizing mechanisms of action, similarities to standard medications, and practical recommendations for employing these methods. Chapters cover dietary factors in treating hypertension, alternative yet common diets, the efficacy of nonconsumptive methods of treatment, and descriptions of natural supplements in treating hypertension. The book also addresses blood pressure goals and categorizes each standard and alternative method of treatment, suggesting ways of implementing an integrative approach to hypertension treatment. A useful companion to any health care provider, this book presents a unique work that fills a niche within the medical community.

Features healing routines and illustrations to guide you

Ease your aches and find relief through the power of touch

Searching for alternative treatments for pain? This friendly, do-it-yourself guide introduces you to the basics and benefits of acupressure and reflexology, showing you step by step how to nurture your emotional and physical well-being and that of someone else. You'll see how to target specific body parts to address your ailments and improve your emotional as well as your physical well-being.

Understand basic healing principles

Relieve your specific aches and pains

Boost your immune system

Address age-related ailments

Find professional help

This new volume provides exhaustive knowledge on a wide range of natural products and holistic concepts that have provided promising in the treatment of leishmaniasis. Including the major natural therapies as well as traditional formulations, over 300 medicinal plants and 150 isolated compounds that are reported to have beneficial results in the treatment of the disease are explored in this comprehensive work. This book also acts as an important resource on various anti-inflammatory plants used to treat various inflammatory conditions of the disease.

The growing popularity of alternative therapies poses challenging questions for the medical establishment and the state. By confronting these questions, The Healing Bond makes an important contribution to current debates about health care. The contributors, who are all experts in the fields of health care, social science and the law, focus on the relationship between patient and healer in both orthodox and non-orthodox forms of healing practice. They consider whether different forms of healing involve widely differing conceptions of the role and responsibilities of the healer, and deal with topical issues such as medical litigation, codes of ethics for complementary practitioners, and co-operation between orthodox and complementary medicine.

The growing popularity of alternative therapies poses challenging questions for the medical establishment and the state. By confronting these questions, The Healing Bond makes an important contribution to current debates about health care. The contributors, who are all experts in the fields of health care, social science and the law, focus on the relationship between patient and healer in both orthodox and non-orthodox forms of healing practice. They consider whether different forms of healing involve widely differing conceptions of the role and responsibilities of the healer, and deal with topical issues such as medical litigation, codes of ethics for complementary practitioners, and co-operation between orthodox and complementary medicine.

The Handbook of Arabian Medicinal Plants is the first illustrated reference on the uses of plants in the Arabian Peninsula. It documents and preserves the existing knowledge in a region where social patterns are rapidly changing. The book emphasizes the need for preserving social and cultural patterns and examines the close relationship between those patterns and nature. This excellent source identifies more than 250 species of plants and describes their medicinal uses. Biochemical information and references are also included for each species.

First published in 1994. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), which is becoming recognized worldwide for remarkable anticancer, anticarcinogenic, and immuno-regulative properties Many new scientific results, such as the latest discoveries in cancer inhibitors, new inhibitors from structural modification, and recent explorations in the mechanisms of CHMs during lab examinations and clinical trials The first book to specifically highlight the development of cancer inhibitors derived from a selection of Chinese medicinal herbs Information on new drug design and new therapy design to improve cancer treatment and prevention

The healing properties of colour and light have been recognised since ancient times; today colour therapy techniques are used to great effect in a range of complementary therapies and for personal wellbeing. This book provides a comprehensive introduction to colour healing and offers step-by-step instructions for treatment. The opening chapters provide an overview of the science behind light and colour, and a brief history of colour healing from Ancient Greece to modern day. The characteristics of different colours are then given, as well as an explanation of how each colour relates to particular body parts and the major and minor chakras. The core of the book offers a complete treatment programme, teaching diagnostic techniques and a variety of approaches including healing with prana energy, healing with touch, healing with a colour therapy instrument, and absent healing. With useful illustrations and diagrams throughout, this book will be an essential guide for colour therapists, colourpuncture practitioners, kinesiologists, reflexologists and energy healers, as well as anyone with an interest in the restorative power of colour.

A Western-Based Approach to Analyzing TCMs In recent years, many pharmaceutical companies and clinical research organizations have been focusing on the development of traditional Chinese (herbal) medicines (TCMs) as alternatives to treating critical or life-threatening diseases and as pathways to personalized medicine. Quantitative Methods for Traditional Chinese Medicine Development is the first book entirely devoted to the design and analysis of TCM development from a Western perspective, i.e., evidence-based clinical research and development. The book provides not only a comprehensive summary of innovative quantitative methods for developing TCMs but also a useful desk reference for principal investigators involved in personalized medicine. Written by one of the world's most prominent biostatistics researchers, the book connects the pharmaceutical industry, regulatory agencies, and academia. It presents a state-of-the-art examination of the subject for: Scientists and researchers who are engaged in pharmaceutical/clinical research and development of TCMs Those in regulatory agencies who make decisions in the review and approval process of TCM regulatory submissions Biostatisticians who provide statistical support to assess clinical safety and effectiveness of TCMs and related issues regarding quality control and assurance as well as to test for consistency in the manufacturing processes for TCMs This book covers all of the statistical issues encountered at various stages of pharmaceutical/clinical development of a TCM. It explains regulatory requirements; product specifications and standards; and various statistical techniques for evaluation of TCMs, validation of diagnostic procedures, and testing consistency. It also contains an entire chapter of case studies and addresses critical issues in TCM development and FAQs from a

Inform and improve your practice with this comprehensive resource on cannabis use and abuse A Practitioner's Guide to Cannabis expertly cuts through the political and cultural noise surrounding cannabis use and provides a relevant, timely, and agnostic analysis of cannabis use and abuse. Incisive and insightful, this book assists behavioral health practitioners to increase their skills in screening, assessment, and intervention while helping them to adopt evidence-based practices. Health care providers will come to rely on this comprehensive resource to understand the risks of cannabis use and to provide a set of intervention strategies effective in a variety of settings. The book covers topics crucial for understanding the work of behavioral health and health practitioners dealing with cannabis issues, including: the complexities of cannabis science our cultural interpretations of the use of cannabis the risks involved with cannabis use effective interventions patients' expressions of their own "biopsychosocial" experience The book is perfect for social workers, psychologists, professional counselors, alcohol/drug counselors, and providers of health care, including physicians, nurses, and physician's assistants.

As spas become hugely popular, trendy and busy environments designed to ease the stress of the weary, the spa therapist is often at the sharp end of a predominantly service oriented industry. The therapist's role is an intimate one and they can often become prone to imbalances in the body, mind and spirit as a consequence of the demands and pressure of the work. The physical proximity to clients, which is the nature of hands on body work, can bring up intense imbalances for the therapist that they are often not aware of. Training is usually inadequate and does not address the finer points of the therapists role on a psycho-physiological level as well as what is appropriate protocol.This book covers the 5 important key areas of their work giving valuable guidance, exercises, advice and information on how to take care of the body, prepare the mind, protect and utilize the spirit, channel the breath and provides a resource of legal and corporate matters to support the spa therapist at all times. Relevant in any culture and detailed to address the different type of spas, this book is the must have aid to support hands on therapy.

Healing Plants of Nigeria: Ethnomedicine and Therapeutic Applications offers comprehensive information on the use of herbal medicines in West Africa. Combining an evidence-based, ethnobotanical perspective with a pharmacological and pharmaceutical approach to phytomedicine, the book bridges the gap between the study of herbal plants' pharmacological properties and active compounds for the development of clinical drugs and community-oriented approaches, emphasising local use. It demonstrates how the framework of African traditional medicine can be preserved in a contemporary clinical context. The book outlines the history and beliefs surrounding the traditional use of herbs by the local population alongside their application in contemporary phytotherapy in Nigeria and West Africa. It features a critical assessment of the scientific rationale behind the use of these plants in ethnomedicine and offers a composite catalogue of phytotherapeutic and wellness agents, detailing the safety profile, efficacy, and scientific integrity of plants used to treat diseases and optimise health. Features: An ethnobotanical survey containing over 200 full-colour photographs of Nigerian and West African plants. A unique combination of ethnobotany and pharmacognosy, bridging the divide between pharmaceutical and community-oriented approaches to herbal medicine research. Contextual discussion of the therapeutic potential of Nigerian herbal medicine. Offers a template which can be used to separate the superstitious aspects of ethnomedicine from culturally inherited deposits of knowledge. A handbook for herbal and natural medicine practitioners, the book is aimed at African thinkers, scientists, healthcare providers and students of pharmacology and ethnomedicine.

In use as a medicinal plant since time immemorial in Europe and the Middle East, chamomile is gaining popularity in the Americas, Australia, and Asia. The spectrum of disease conditions in which it is used in traditional medicine systems is, quite simply, mind boggling. There is, without a doubt, a growing demand for this plant and therefore a growing need for an updated ready reference for the researchers, cultivators, and entrepreneurs who wish to work with chamomile. Chamomile: Medicinal, Biochemical, and Agricultural Aspects is just that. Based on extensive research, this book provides the latest information on the medicinal, aromatic, and cultivation aspects of chamomile. It covers chamomile's geographical distribution, taxonomy, chemistry, pharmacology, genetics, biochemistry, breeding, and cultivation. The book also discusses the profiles of the several medicinally active compounds of the oil and extracts and how their levels could be increased through breeding. The author highlights several potentially useful compounds discovered in the chamomile oil and extracts and discusses the cultivation and postharvest technology aspects of the plant in different agroclimatic zones including that of India. She presents guidelines on the good manufacturing practices laid out in different systems of medicine and provides an overview of the patents and products of chamomile especially important to researchers and entrepreneurs. Although there is a plethora of information available on chamomile, the challenge has been finding a central repository that covers all aspects of the plant. Some books provide general coverage, others focus on only on pharmacological uses, and many are outdated. This book examines all aspects from cultivation and harvesting, to essential oil content and profile as well as pharmacology and biotechnology. It is a reference for current information, an entry point for further study, a resource for using oils and extr

The purpose of this book is to discuss several medicinal plants to find wider application in the domain of medicinal, clinical, and pharmaceutical treatment. Recent Advances in Plant-Based, Traditional, and Natural Medicines serves as a useful source of ideas and an inspiration for further cell and molecular biology research toward developing drugs and treatments from these traditional and plant-based remedies. The book covers a variety of topics and: * Considers the current state of research of traditional and plant-based medicines * Covers the current status of ethnomedicine and medicinal plant discovery * Presents the clinical applications of traditional and plant-based medicines

The genus Rhodiola (Family Crassulaceae) is indigenous to Northern Canada, Europe and Asia where its rhizomes and roots have been used for centuries for medicinal purposes. Recent interest in the species Rhodiola rosea (roseroot) in the West arose from the use of the rhizome as an adaptogen for the treatment of stress, but in the last few years, chemical and pharmacological studies have confirmed other valuable medicinal properties. Written by well-known researchers in this field of study, Rhodiola rosea examines important aspects of this increasingly important medicinal plant, including: Cultivation Taxonomy Ethnobotany Conservation Phytopathology Phytochemistry Pharmacology Biotechnology The book discusses in vitro culture of R. rosea and examines pests and diseases affecting the plant in Europe, Canada, and Alaska. It also examines pharmacological bioassays and toxicology. The contributors provide a meta-analysis of clinical trials and describe experimentation with R. rosea in clinical practice. They explore its use in a range of areas, including for depression and anxiety disorders, to improve sexual and immune functions, to augment cancer treatment, and in aerospace medicine for afflictions such as mountain sickness and jet lag. The final chapter uses a model to illustrate the cultivation of R. rosea as an industrial crop from field to medicine to cabinet. Synthesizing the most important literature in recent years, the book supplies a comprehensive peer-reviewed survey of the wide spectrum of possibilities for its use as a modern phytomedicinal agent.

The beautiful new edition of this highly successful book, written by Ann and Chris Frederick, directors of the Stretch to Win(R) Institute, is packed with theory and practice, including a host of beautifully illustrated assisted stretches. Fascial Stretch Therapy(TM), Second edition is a practical and highly applicable manual for any massage therapist, movement instructor, physical or occupational therapist, athletic or sports trainer, fitness instructor or osteopath - in fact for any hands-on practitioners who wants to learn new skills and improve therapeutic outcomes. It clearly demonstrates how FST(TM) assessment, treatment, and training are used in a variety of common circumstances encountered in manual therapy and athletic training. What's new for the second edition... Discusses a very brief history of a still expanding and evolving new industry of assisted stretching. It also covers the negative aspects of this trend, including the lack of assessments and specificity and common stretching methods. Approaches are listed so you can compare and contrast. Includes a new Chapter 2 with updates of the highest quality evidence-based research useful to the field of assisted stretching. It includes the authors' own research about the effects of FST(TM) on chronic nonspecific low back pain as well as a discussion about a recent systematic review of the acute effects of muscle stretching on physical performance range of motion, and injury incidence in healthy active individuals. Lists contraindications and indications for FST(TM) along with new updates to reflect current understandings (e.g. about Golgi tendon organs) with supporting references. Shows how this method will save you time when forming a working hypothesis that will quickly be proven or disproven so that you will have enough time to develop other hypotheses that you can test for efficacy, all within a single session. Includes new photographs and artwork along with new titles to reflect the change in nomenclature from the use of the term 'fascial line(s)' to 'fascial net(s)'.

This highly illustrated book explains the effects of scars and adhesions on the body through the lens of biotensegrity, a concept that recognizes the role of physical forces on their formation, structure and treatment. It includes contributions from specialists in the fields of fascial anatomy, biotensegrity, movement, surgery and other manual therapies. It takes a comprehensive approach to providing a better understanding of these complex issues and will be valuable to every hands-on practitioner. The text is supported with online videos demonstrating five ScarWork therapeutic techniques.

If you stop any person on the street and ask them what causes heart disease, you know what their answer will be: butter and eggs, meat and fat. This infamous Diet-Heart Hypothesis was proposed in 1953, and it took scientists all over the world a few decades to prove it wrong. The trouble is that while science was beginning to cast doubt upon its basic tenets, the Diet-Heart Hypothesis was giving rise to a powerful and wealthy political and commercial machine with a vested interest in promoting it-by means of anti-fat and anti-cholesterol propaganda presented relentlessly and with increasing intensity. In this book Dr. Campbell-McBride tackles the subject of CHD (Coronary Heart Disease), caused by atherosclerosis, a disease of the arterial wall that leads to narrowing and obstruction of the arteries. She maintains that conventional medicine does not actually know the cause of atherosclerosis or how to cure it, and explores in this book what it is, what causes it, and how to prevent and reverse it. She dispels the myth of the Diet-Heart Hypothesis, and explains that cholesterol is not the enemy but an integral and important part of our cell membranes.

From a leading neurologist, neuroscientist and practitioner of Ayurvedic medicine, comes a rigorous scientific investigation of the healing power of sound, showing readers how they can use it to improve their mental and physical wellbeing. Why does a baby's cry instantaneously flood a mother's body with a myriad of stress hormones? How can a song on the radio stir up powerful emotions, from joy to anger, regret to desire? Why does sound itself evoke such primal and deeply felt emotions? A vibration that travels through air, water and solids, sound is produced by all matter, and is a fundamental part of every species' survival. But there is a hidden power within sound that has only just begun to be investigated. Sound Medicine takes readers on a journey through the structure of the mouth, ears, and brain to understand how sound is translated from acoustic vibrations into meaningful neurological impulses. Renowned neurologist and Ayurvedic expert Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary explains how different types of sound impact the human body and brain uniquely, and explores the physiological effects of sound vibration, from altering mood to healing disease. Blending ancient wisdom with modern science, Dr. Chaudhary traces the history of sound therapy and the use of specific mantras from previously unknown texts-traced back to the Siddhas, a group of enlightened yogis who created a healing tradition that served as the precursor to Ayurvedic medicine-to explain the therapeutic application of sounds for a wide range of conditions. Sound Medicine offers practical, step-by-step lessons for using music and mantras, whether you're a beginner or searching for a more advanced practice, to improve your health in body, mind, and spirit.

Asian medicinal plants show great promise in pharmaceutical and cosmetological development. Researchers engaged in the discovery of new leads in these areas need robust conceptual tools and understanding of interrelated basics of botany, ethnobotany, biomolecular pharmacology, phytochemistry, and medicinal chemistry to guide their investigations. Medicinal Plants of China, Korea, and Japan: Bioresources for Tomorrow s Drugs and Cosmetics explores the fundamental science and demonstrates the compelling potential of these versatile plants, providing an essential resource to stimulate and guide focused inquiry.

It is essential that researchers appreciate the chemotaxonomical statuses of these plants, so chapters are arranged according to the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group system of plant taxonomy. The book discusses the history, synonymy, habitat, description, traditional uses, and pharmacochemistry of each plant. Detailed photographs and hand-made botanical plates enable quick and reliable identification of each plant species. Critical analyses of peer-reviewed articles provide the basis for Bioresource sections in each chapter wherein readers are advised, engaged, and guided towards exciting pharmaceutical and cosmetological research proposals. Also included are indexes of botanical terms, pharmacological terms, natural products, and local names.

Detailing 200 medicinal plant species carefully selected for their novelty and pharmacological and cosmetological importance, this volume provides a firm starting point for anyone looking forward to unlocking the potential of Asian medicinal plants. In addition, this invaluable book identifies numerous patentable leads.