Oriental Medicine: An Illustrated Guide to the Asian Arts of Healing [Anglais] [Broché]

Spiritual roots and traditions spanning 2,000 years distinguish Oriental medicine from its Western counterpart. In Oriental Medicine, editors Jan Van Alphen and Anthony Aris strive to offer an exhaustive and visually stunning overview of healing systems, and they succeed beautifully in detailing the histories and techniques of traditional Indian, Tibetan, and Chinese (including Taiwan, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan) medicine. Some terms will be familiar to Western readers--Ayurvedic medicine, for example, is "the system ... which developed from the ancient books of wisdom known as the Vedas," made accessible by the writings of Deepak Chopra. The text teems with magnificent, full-page color reproductions of classic manuscripts, miniatures, and drawings, plus photographs of medicinal plants and healing practices and objects. The discussions of each ancient medical system focus on such topics as the system's history, the impact of religion on medical theory, beliefs about wellness, the causes of disease, diagnoses, and therapies.

The richness and complexity of the information collected in Oriental Medicine make it an ideal resource for the beginning practitioner of Asian healing arts. The book proves to lay readers that the Western approach to healing is only a small part of a greater whole, and it will interest students of history fascinated by how different societies--including our own--interpret and relate to health and illness.

Few books are essential for both a library's health care and art collection. Yet this lavishly illustrated volume is one. Chapters written by Western scholars (only one of whom is an American) and actual practitioners within each system describes the entire scope of Oriental medicine including Indian, Tibetan, Chinese, Muslim Unani, Vietnamese, and Korean traditions. In recounting their history and telling how these systems are practiced today, the book provides difficult-to-find information. However, the authors take no stand on the efficacies of these various treatments and do not compare one system with another or "even advocate alternative or complementary medicine." Obviously, though, they feel Oriental medical techniques are worthy of serious consideration. Although the text is written in a scholarly tone, it is understandable by the interested layperson. The beautiful illustrations and photographs include medical instruments and other paraphernalia, medicine chests, practitioners at work, herb gardens, and scenes of contemporary medical practice. For all medical libraries and large public libraries. Academic libraries that collect in the area of Oriental art should also have it.
Natalie Kupferberg, Ferris State Univ., Big Rapids, Mich.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --Ce texte fait référence à une édition épuisée ou non disponible de ce titre.

Here is one of those rare books that is both beautiful and informative. Its editors have overseen 17 contributors from 11 countries in creating a panorama of Indian, Tibetan, and Chinese theoretical, diagnostic, and clinical medicine. Growing interest in alternative medicine no doubt helped spark this successful effort to give the general reader a sound understanding of three fundamental healing traditions. All the contributors emphasize the importance of the body-mind relationship, refreshingly not only giving information, but also correcting myths (e.g., that certain Indian surgical procedures are of great age). Photographer Mark De Fraeye initiated the idea for this book and provided some of its 84 color illustrations from his own collection. Selected from many locations, these add both to the beauty of the book and to the information in it. Well-chosen notes and references will help inspired readers pursue any of the book's many topics. William Beatty --Ce texte fait référence à une édition épuisée ou non disponible de ce titre.

This illustrated guide to Asian healing is the first directed to general Western audiences: it covers the history, theory and practice of Asian healing arts, presenting writings and insights from sixteen selected contributors throughout Asia, Europe and the U. S. Excellent and artistic color illustrations enhance the explanations. --Ce texte fait référence à une édition épuisée ou non disponible de ce titre.