Discipline e Pratiche Orientali

This practical and highly illustrated introduction to the principles and techniques of Thai massage discusses the theories of Thai medicine and its Chinese and Ayurvedic influences. It offers clear and easy-to-follow descriptions for all Thai massage techniques accompanied by full color photographs and drawings, with arrows to indicate direction of movement. Basic explanations describe how massage therapists can use elements of these techniques and apply them immediately in their own practice. The book includes a DVD with 45 minutes of video showing techniques and routines in real time, to demonstrate appropriate pacing.

Ayurveda is an ancient system of health care that developed in India several thousand years ago. Allied with the spiritual philosophy of Hinduism, Ayurveda is a practical and inclusive system of health care orientated to the prevention and treatment of disease through the observation of important principles found in biological systems. This unique one-of-a-kind book is a comprehensive introduction to the theory and practice of Ayurveda, and discusses the practical use of therapies such as diet, exercise, yoga, meditation, massage, and herbal remedies. The book also includes detailed information on Ayurvedic pharmacology and pharmacy, clinical methods and examinations, and general treatment protocols. The final section provides a comprehensive materia medica of 50 Indian herbs that include botanical descriptions, traditional Ayurvedic knowledge, constituent data and latest medical research, as well as clinical indications, formulations and dosages.

This book aims to bring the unique theories and traditions of Ayurveda alive so that they are accessible to the complementary health practitioner of today. This book offers a clear, accessible and yet detailed guide to ayurvedic herbalism. It encompasses a brief history of herbalism in India, a discussion of principles, treatment strategies as well as traditional Ayurvedic pharmacy and pharmacology. The theoretical chapters complement the core of the book that includes over 100 plant profiles of Ayurvedic herbs and 50 traditional formulas. It is a clinical manual as well as a reference book which relates classical ayurvedic teachings to modern phytotherapy as well as specific bio-medical conditions.

"Kampo: A Clinical Guide to Theory and Practice" provides an excellent overview of Kampo in modern society and goes on to present an historical perspective from practitioners in Japan and the west. The translation opens with Dr Otsuka's personal reflections on how to study Kampo, the legal and practical status of Kampo practitioners when he began practice and includes clinical anecdotes. The book summarizes diagnostic theory and methodology then leads onto a section including 80 principal formulas followed by a therapeutic section organized according to allopathic definitions of disease. It follows a systems approach in internal medicine beginning with respiratory and cardiovascular disorders, moving through a comprehensive analysis of all the body systems. This section forms the heart of the text: it outlines essential clinical information on how differential diagnosis and formula selection is achieved with the Kampo tradition. A comprehensive index of 120 major herbal formulas and 180 individual herbal ingredients is compiled from the author's linage and experience. The translators have included an original piece of work in the form of a comprehensive Glossary of terms designed to clarify concepts of health and disease unique to Kampo and Japanese culture. From the Foreword by Dan Bensky: 'Readers who already have some basic knowledge of Kampo will gain a deeper understanding of the roots of modern Kampo, as well as information about diagnosis and treatment that come direct from the source.. it is of great interest to have this example of an important book from mid-twentieth century Japan'.

This is a reference work on Ayurvedic Plant Drugs, offering a useful correlation of Eastern and Western medicine.

Increasingly, healthcare professionals are encountering patients who are, or wish to be, taking herbal medicines. This book not only provides answers to frequently asked questions, but will also enable healthcare professionals to recommend safe alternatives to orthodox treatment if appropriate.