A classic text on esoteric traditional herbalism from one of the most influential herbalists of the Paris occult revival * Includes a dictionary of nearly 300 magical plants with descriptions of each plant's scientific name, common names, elemental qualities, ruling planets, and zodiacal signatures, with commentary on medico-magical properties and uses * Explores methods of phytotherapy and plant magic, including the Paracelsian "transplantation of diseases," ritual pacts with trees, the secret ingredients of witches' ointments, and the composition of magical philters * Explains the occult secrets of phytogenesis, plant physiology, and plant physiognomy (classification of plants according to the doctrine of signatures) Merging the scientific discipline of botany with ancient, medieval, and Renaissance traditions of occult herbalism, this seminal guide was first published in French in 1902 as a textbook for students of Papus's Ecole hermetique and sparked a revival in the study of magical herbalism in early twentieth-century France. Author Paul Sedir, pseudonym of Yvon Le Loup (1871-1926), explains the occult secrets of phytogenesis (the esoteric origin and evolutionary development of the plant kingdom), plant physiology (the occult anatomy of plants), and plant physiognomy (classification of plants according to the doctrine of signatures). Unveiling the mysteries behind planetary and zodiacal attributions, he provides readers with the keys to make their own informed determinations of the astral properties of plants. Moving from theory into practice, Sedir explores various methods of phytotherapy and plant magic, including the Paracelsian "transplantation of diseases," the secret ingredients of witches' ointments, and the composition of magical philters. In the third section of the book, Sedir offers a dictionary of magical plants that covers nearly 300 plant species with descriptions of their astral signatures, occult properties, and medico-magical uses. Compiled from an array of rare sources and esoterica, this classic text includes a wealth of additional materials and supplemental charts and diagrams drawn from Sedir's occult colleagues, all of whom adopted and expanded upon Sedir's pioneering system of plant correspondences.

Evidence-based Clinical Chinese Medicine: Vol. 1 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease provides a 'whole evidence' analysis of the Chinese medicine management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Evidence from the classical Chinese medicine literature, contemporary clinical literature, and the outcomes of clinical trials and experimental studies are reviewed, analysed and synthesised. The data from all these sources are condensed to provide evidence-based statements which will inform clinical practice and guide future research.This book has been designed to be an easy reference at the point of care. During a patient consultation, Chinese medicine practitioners can refer to this book for guidance on which Chinese herbal medicine formulas, specific herbs, or acupuncture points, can best treat their patient, and be confident there is evidence which supports its use.Currently, Chinese medicine practitioners who develop a special interest in a particular health condition such as COPD have to consult a variety of sources to further their knowledge. Typically, they use the contemporary clinical literature to understand the theory, aetiology, pathogenesis and obtain expert opinions on the Chinese medicine management of COPD. They search the electronic literature to identify systematic reviews of clinical trials, if any exists, to obtain assessments of the current state of the clinical evidence for particular interventions. If they have the skills and resources, they may search the classical Chinese medicine literature for an historical perspective on treatments that have stood the test of time.This book provides all of this information for practitioners in one handy, easy to use reference. This allows practitioners to focus on their job of providing high quality healthcare, with the knowledge it is based on the best available evidence.

Evidence-based Clinical Chinese Medicine: Vol. 1 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease provides a 'whole evidence' analysis of the Chinese medicine management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Evidence from the classical Chinese medicine literature, contemporary clinical literature, and the outcomes of clinical trials and experimental studies are reviewed, analysed and synthesised. The data from all these sources are condensed to provide evidence-based statements which will inform clinical practice and guide future research.This book has been designed to be an easy reference at the point of care. During a patient consultation, Chinese medicine practitioners can refer to this book for guidance on which Chinese herbal medicine formulas, specific herbs, or acupuncture points, can best treat their patient, and be confident there is evidence which supports its use.Currently, Chinese medicine practitioners who develop a special interest in a particular health condition such as COPD have to consult a variety of sources to further their knowledge. Typically, they use the contemporary clinical literature to understand the theory, aetiology, pathogenesis and obtain expert opinions on the Chinese medicine management of COPD. They search the electronic literature to identify systematic reviews of clinical trials, if any exists, to obtain assessments of the current state of the clinical evidence for particular interventions. If they have the skills and resources, they may search the classical Chinese medicine literature for an historical perspective on treatments that have stood the test of time.This book provides all of this information for practitioners in one handy, easy to use reference. This allows practitioners to focus on their job of providing high quality healthcare, with the knowledge it is based on the best available evidence.

Evidence-based Clinical Chinese Medicine: Volume 2: Psoriasis Vulgaris provides a 'whole evidence' analysis of the Chinese medicine management of psoriasis vulgaris. Evidence from the classical Chinese medicine literature, contemporary clinical literature, and the outcomes of clinical trials and experimental studies are reviewed, analysed and synthesised. The data from all these sources are condensed to provide evidence-based statements which will inform clinical practice and guide future research.This book has been designed to be an easy reference at the point of care. During a patient consultation, Chinese medicine practitioners can refer to this book for guidance on which Chinese herbal medicine formulas, specific herbs, or acupuncture points, can best treat their patient, and be confident there is evidence which supports its use.Currently, Chinese medicine practitioners who develop a special interest in a particular health condition such as psoriasis have to consult a variety of sources to further their knowledge. Typically, they use the contemporary clinical literature to understand the theory, aetiology, pathogenesis and obtain expert opinions on the Chinese medicine management of psoriasis. They search the electronic literature to identify systematic reviews of clinical trials, if any exist, to obtain assessments of the current state of the clinical evidence for particular interventions. If they have the skills and resources, they may search the classical Chinese medicine literature for an historical perspective on treatments that have stood the test of time.This book provides all of this information for practitioners in one handy, easy to use reference. This allows practitioners to focus on their job of providing high quality health care, with the knowledge it is based on the best available evidence.

Evidence-based Clinical Chinese Medicine: Volume 2: Psoriasis Vulgaris provides a 'whole evidence' analysis of the Chinese medicine management of psoriasis vulgaris. Evidence from the classical Chinese medicine literature, contemporary clinical literature, and the outcomes of clinical trials and experimental studies are reviewed, analysed and synthesised. The data from all these sources are condensed to provide evidence-based statements which will inform clinical practice and guide future research.This book has been designed to be an easy reference at the point of care. During a patient consultation, Chinese medicine practitioners can refer to this book for guidance on which Chinese herbal medicine formulas, specific herbs, or acupuncture points, can best treat their patient, and be confident there is evidence which supports its use.Currently, Chinese medicine practitioners who develop a special interest in a particular health condition such as psoriasis have to consult a variety of sources to further their knowledge. Typically, they use the contemporary clinical literature to understand the theory, aetiology, pathogenesis and obtain expert opinions on the Chinese medicine management of psoriasis. They search the electronic literature to identify systematic reviews of clinical trials, if any exist, to obtain assessments of the current state of the clinical evidence for particular interventions. If they have the skills and resources, they may search the classical Chinese medicine literature for an historical perspective on treatments that have stood the test of time.This book provides all of this information for practitioners in one handy, easy to use reference. This allows practitioners to focus on their job of providing high quality health care, with the knowledge it is based on the best available evidence.

In the ancient tradition of Chinese medicine, illness is a disharmony of the whole body. The aim is to restore harmony through herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion and the diagnostic skills of the physician. The governing principle is to balance Yin and Yang and to restore the interconnections between all aspects of the organism. This remarkable book explains the theory and practice of Chinese medicine. More than that, it mixes the most up-to-date knowledge of the oriental approach to healing with cutting-edge scientific research. 'While the book's rich detail makes it of great use to practising healers, it is in its entirety very simply written, enjoyable reading for the layman... An instructive, profound and important work.' Professor Martin Schwartz, University of California, Berkeley

The effective yet gentle 'Sukshma' technique, for working with the Marma points at the emotional as well as on the physical level, is fully described in this book. Marma Therapy - the art of treating specific vital points on the human body - is one of the greatest healing secrets of Ayurveda. It can be used to detoxify, strengthen and revitalize the body, for rejuvenation and relaxation or to release blocked energy. The authors explain the theoretical basis of Marma Therapy, and then provide a detailed, fully illustrated guide to its use. For each Marma point, the authors provide information about its significance, the Ayurvedic element it relates to, the most appropriate oils to use, and what it can be used to treat. Clear step-by-step instructions and photographs illustrate the techniques, and advice is also included for self-treatment. The authors explain how to strengthen the Marmas through yoga and use mudras to support and complement Marma treatment. Finally, they describe how to treat common physical and emotional conditions, from headache and back pain, to exam nerves and insomnia.

The Second Edition of this book is a rearranged and enriched version of the previous edition, composed of feedback and constructive comments from readers. Acupuncture is the most popular form of treatment in Chinese medicine. The theories and practice of acupuncture have been revised and rewritten to give readers a clear idea of how it works and when it is to be utilized. Botanicals, i.e. herbal medicine, form the major core of Chinese medicine practice. The potential of botanicals development is wide: from casting specific biological activities to preventive uses. Three new chapters are offered: (i) for the understanding of the biological activities of herbal medicine, (ii) the products produced from herbs for specific needs, and (iii) the individual's choice for what may suit him/her best. In this present era of information technology, readers should be guided on the use of the Internet and related areas in order to independently secure information for personal use and research needs. The last chapter is provided for this practical purpose.Since the publication of the First Edition, much development has occurred in the field of Chinese medicine. All the chapters have been updated and revised accordingly so that general readers, those looking for effective treatment, as well as those who want to serve their patients better, can have a reliable comprehensive reference.

Cancer is one of the leading killers in the world and the incidence is increasing, but most cancer patients and cancer survivors suffer much from the disease and its conventional treatments side effects. In the past, clinical data showed that some complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) possessed anticancer abilities, but some clinicians and scientists have queried about the scientific validity of CAM due to the lack of scientific evidence. There is great demand in narrowing the knowledge gap to explore the scientific and evidence-based knowledge of CAM in the anticancer field. With this aim, an unparalleled undertaking of a book series is launched to structurally consolidate this area.

Although acupuncture and moxibustion have been practiced for millennia, they have come under scientific investigation only recently. Acupuncture and moxibustion have been used clinically to treat cancer-related symptoms (e.g. cancer pain, anxiety, depression and insomnia), manage treatment-induced side effects (e.g. hot flashes, nausea and vomiting) and enhance immunity (e.g. blood cell count, lymphocyte and natural killer cell activity). This is the first book manages to provide comprehensive and updated scientific evidence of the effectiveness of acupuncture and moxibustion intervention for cancer care. Laboratory and animal studies have uncovered the mechanisms of acupuncture and moxibustion for cancer therapy. Promising results of most clinical trials show the efficacy and safety of acupuncture and moxibustion in cancer management. This book consists of fifteen chapters which address a range of important aspects that will impact on the application of acupuncture and moxibustion. An overview of the safety and side effects of acupuncture and moxibustion for cancer care are also covered. In addition, the integration of acupuncture with Western medicine in cancer treatment and recent clinical trials are included as well.

Opinion leaders around the world have teamed up to pursue a thorough and up-to-date review of the area, this volume will contribute great to the cancer, clinical and academic community by providing evidence-based information on the efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion as an anticancer therapy."

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) originated from the traditional medical system in the Chinese civilization, with influences from the Daoist and Chinese folk traditions in bodily cultivation and longevity techniques. In the past few decades, TCM has become one of the leading alternative medical systems in the United States. This book demonstrates the fluidity of a medical ideological system with a rich history of methodological development and internal theoretical conflicts, continuing to transform in our postmodern world where people and ideas transcend geographic, ethnic, and linguistic limitations. The unique historical trajectories and cultural dynamics of the American society are critical nutrients for the localization of TCM, while the constant traffic of travelers and immigrants foster the globalizing tendency of TCM. The practitioners in this book represent an incredible range of clinical applications, personal styles, theoretical rationalizations, and business models. What really unifies all these practitioners is not their specific practices but the goal of these practices. The shared goal is to strive for health, not just health in terms of the lack of illness but the ultimate health of achieving perfect balance in every aspect of the being of a person-physically, mentally, spiritually, and energetically.

This book provides a comprehensive but concise account of the commonly used herb in Chinese medicine, Schisandra chinensis ( ). Of the six chapters covering botanical properties to product development, special emphasis is placed on recent pharmacological studies on active ingredients such as schisandrin B and schisandrin, as well as the integrative approach adopted in product development. Readers will be enlightened by the updates on pharmacological activities, underlying action mechanisms of Schisandra lignans and novel approach in product development featured in the book. Hence, this work will be a useful resource for researchers in both academia and industry.

"The New Chinese Medicine Handbook" is an essential guide to achieving total health in body, mind, and spirit. Explore the powerful benefits of Chinese medicine--particularly acupuncture, massage, nutrition, meditation and herbs--along with other Eastern healing arts. This practical guide totraditional Chinese medicine can help you take control of your healing process and maintain orrestore wholeness and harmony in all aspects of your life.Dr. Misha Ruth Cohen, an internationallya recognized practitioner, lecturer, leader and mentorin the field of Chinese medicine, offers comprehensive healing plans for a wide range of ailmentsincluding digestive problems, stress, anxiety, depression, cancer support, liver health, gynecological problems, PMS, fertilitymenopause, and more.This comprehensive guidebook combines Chinese dietary guidelines with Western medicine, plus various other Eastern and Western healing therapies including: Basics of Chinese medicineAcupuncture and moxibustionQi Gong: Chinese exercise and meditationDietary practicesChinese herbal therapy"The New Chinese Medicine Handbook" keeps esoteric information to "need to know" basics andshows you how to use Chinese medicine for different conditions from pain to infertility to various illnesseslike cancer and diabetes. Take the first steps to natural healing remedies and a longer, healthier life."

Discover the principles, therapies, and collected knowledge of a venerable ancient healing system. Ayurveda provides a threefold approach to wellness: 1.) Preventive a concept of health care and personal hygiene meant for every person; 2.) Psychological an approach to dealing with essential and challenging aspects of life; 3.) Curative a medical science with a holistic view of health and disease, offering extensive methods of cure. This comprehensive reference to a natural system of medicine will guide you on your way to addressing specific health concerns and improving overall wellbeing.

This could be the most important book you will read this year. Around the office at Chelsea Green it is referred to as the "pharmaceutical Silent Spring." Well-known author, teacher, lecturer, and herbalist Stephen Harrod Buhner has produced a book that is certain to generate controversy. It consists of three parts: 1. A critique of technological medicine, and especially the dangers to the environment posed by pharmaceuticals and other synthetic substances that people use in connection with health care and personal body care.2. A new look at Gaia Theory, including an explanation that plants are the original chemistries of Gaia and those phytochemistries are the fundamental communications network for the Earth's ecosystems.3. Extensive documentation of how plants communicate their healing qualities to humans and other animals. Western culture has obliterated most people's capacity to perceive these messages, but this book also contains valuable information on how we can restore our faculties of perception.The book will affect readers on rational and emotional planes. It is grounded in both a New Age spiritual sensibility and hard science. While some of the author's claims may strike traditional thinkers as outlandish, Buhner presents his arguments with such authority and documentation that the scientific underpinnings, however unconventional, are completely credible.The overall impact is a powerful, eye-opening expos' of the threat that our allopathic Western medical system, in combination with our unquestioning faith in science and technology, poses to the primary life-support systems of the planet. At a time when we are preoccupied with the terrorist attacks and the possibility ofbiological warfare, perhaps it is time to listen to the planet. This book is essential reading for anyone concerned about the state of the environment, the state of health care, and our cultural sanity.

Very little has been written on acupuncture and the Oriental medical view of health for the lay person in recent years. Even less has been written on the training requirements which vary enormously. This unique book clarifies this situation. It introduces the reader to the key concepts of healthy living, wellbeing, longevity, and their own inner kingdom. It draws upon the wisdom inherent in ancient Chinese philosophy whose universal principles were laid down in the Nei Jing, the oldest extant medical book in the world, written around 221 BCE. It brings alive and makes relevant this ancient understanding of the human being and the concept of health maintenance in the 21st century and is presented in a clear, easy to read and interesting format. It involves the individual in looking at their own health and lifestyle and offers advice as to how these might be optimised for life in the modern world. This book covers the historical background of oriental medicine, gives details of the 5 Element and Yin/Yang theories and brings to light its remarkable transition from one side of the world to the other. It explains how diagnosis, the consultation process, acupuncture and moxabustion work and offers extensive advice on preventive health.

Very little has been written on acupuncture and the Oriental medical view of health for the lay person in recent years. Even less has been written on the training requirements which vary enormously. This unique book clarifies this situation. It introduces the reader to the key concepts of healthy living, wellbeing, longevity, and their own inner kingdom. It draws upon the wisdom inherent in ancient Chinese philosophy whose universal principles were laid down in the Nei Jing, the oldest extant medical book in the world, written around 221 BCE. It brings alive and makes relevant this ancient understanding of the human being and the concept of health maintenance in the 21st century and is presented in a clear, easy to read and interesting format. It involves the individual in looking at their own health and lifestyle and offers advice as to how these might be optimised for life in the modern world. This book covers the historical background of oriental medicine, gives details of the 5 Element and Yin/Yang theories and brings to light its remarkable transition from one side of the world to the other. It explains how diagnosis, the consultation process, acupuncture and moxabustion work and offers extensive advice on preventive health.

This path-breaking book reinterprets Chinese medicine using the approach of the philosophy of science in a manner that strikes common ground with biomedical science. It strips Chinese medical theory of the mystique and metaphysical pretentions that too often plague the discipline, presenting this theory as being derived from empirical observations and clinical findings. Concepts like qi and phlegm and vital organs like the shen (kidney) are interpreted, not as physical entities with defined measurable properties, but as constructs to facilitate the application of models for diagnosis and therapy. The author evaluates the five-element model and the diagnostic-therapeutic paradigm of Chinese medical syndromes, and suggests how these heuristic models can be subjected to clinical trials. Principles governing the use of herbal, acupuncture, tuina and qigong therapies are elucidated and critically examined. Written for medical professionals, philosophers of medicine and discerning readers interested in alternative therapies, the book also has practical chapters on the placebo effect and Chinese medical treatment of chronic illnesses, and a useful compilation of common Chinese herbs and formulations.

This path-breaking book reinterprets Chinese medicine using the approach of the philosophy of science in a manner that strikes common ground with biomedical science. It strips Chinese medical theory of the mystique and metaphysical pretentions that too often plague the discipline, presenting this theory as being derived from empirical observations and clinical findings. Concepts like qi and phlegm and vital organs like the shen (kidney) are interpreted, not as physical entities with defined measurable properties, but as constructs to facilitate the application of models for diagnosis and therapy. The author evaluates the five-element model and the diagnostic-therapeutic paradigm of Chinese medical syndromes, and suggests how these heuristic models can be subjected to clinical trials. Principles governing the use of herbal, acupuncture, tuina and qigong therapies are elucidated and critically examined. Written for medical professionals, philosophers of medicine and discerning readers interested in alternative therapies, the book also has practical chapters on the placebo effect and Chinese medical treatment of chronic illnesses, and a useful compilation of common Chinese herbs and formulations.

Indigenous Knowledge and Development: Livelihoods, Health Experiences, and Medicinal Plant Knowledge in a Mexican Biosphere Reserve provides an ethnographic account of a group of indigenous people living in a natural resource protected area in west central Mexico. The political, economic, and social history of these indigenous Nahua people is related to their cultural knowledge. As an anthropological study, the analysis presented in this book is based on household level socioeconomic data and cultural knowledge measured through the use of both structured and semi-structured interviews. The study presented here moves back and forth between the macro- and micro- to explore the relationships between three central axes-health, livelihood and cultural knowledge. The Sierra of Manantlan Biosphere Reserve is the fieldsite where this study was carried out during 2007 and 2008. This Reserve is governed by explicit goals of cultural and natural resource preservation. Exhaustive household censuses give a comprehensive view of livelihood activities, and individual health experiences are measured using a structured interview. Demonstrated through the economic activity profiles present in the study sample, the indigenous people in the Reserve subsist through low-intensity agriculture, animal husbandry, and paid labor. Political histories of Mexico and the Reserve, specifically, continually shape subsistence strategies and the agrarian communities. Medical pluralism and the health profile in Mexico influence the local-level health status and access to health care services in the Reserve, demonstrated by the persistence of medicinal plant knowledge. The interviews with medicinal plant experts and biomedical practitioners are used to illustrate the spectrum of opinions regarding usage of medicinal plants across the three study communities in the Reserve. Significantly, there is neither a direct nor linear relationship between the loss of cultural knowledge and increasing modernity. This research contributes to ethnographic knowledge about conservation and cultural heritage on protected areas in Mexico.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with a history of thousands of years, is the crystallization of the ancient Chinese people's experience in their struggle against diseases. It is also an integral part of their splendid culture. Under the influence and direction of classic Chinese philosophies, it has undergone long-term medical practice and infiltrated into, as well as absorbed from, other subjects at that time, thus gradually evolving into a unique medical theoretical system that contributed significantly to the health care of the Chinese people and the prosperity of the Chinese nation. This 7-volume set comprehensively covers the main components of TCM, such as Basic Theory, Diagnosis, Prescription, Chinese Materia Medica, Tui Na, Acupuncture and Moxibustion.