What to Eat. Marion Nestle. New York: North Point Press; 2006. 611 pages, contents, tables, appendixes, notes, index. $30.00. ISBN 0-86547-704-3.
A leading outspoken nutritionist’s guide to grocery shopping in American supermarkets. Discusses healthy foods in all the food groups and the tricks to shopping for a healthy meal. Covers organic foods, preservatives and additives, portion sizes, nutrition claims, and food labels.
Essence of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 3rd ed. Compiled by Asiapac Editorial. Translated by YN Han. Illustrated by Fu Chunjiang. Singapore: Chung Printing, Asiapac Books; 2003. 183 pages, contents, color and b&w illustrations, tables. $5.98. ISBN 981-229-364-7.
Compiles illustrations and graphics to explain the theory, history, and practice of traditional Chinese medicine. Includes the concepts of the 8 principle syndromes, the 5 elements, the 4 diagnoses, acupuncture, moxibustion, and diet therapy. Also contains diagnosis charts that relate the presenting sign and symptoms to the potential cause.
The Illustrated Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Medicine. Compiled and illustrated by Zhou Chuncai and Han Yazhou. Beijing: Dolphin Books; 2002. 209 pages, b&w descriptive illustrations, simplified Chinese/English. $15.45. ISBN 7-80051817-5.
Illustrates the philosophical ideas and history of Chinese medicine contained in The Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Medicine. Explains through illustration the common questions and problems of everyday life and the appropriate measures needed for resolution. All narrative is written in both English and Chinese characters.
Total Heart Health: How to Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease with the Maharishi Vedic Approach to Health. Robert H. Schneider, MD, and Jeremy Fields, PhD. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.; 2006. 262 pages, softcover, contents, b&w figures, tables & illustrations, glossary, resources, references, index. $18.95. ISBN 1-59120-087-3.
This book encompasses the holistic healing principles of the ancient Vedic system of medical knowledge from India to prevent, treat, and even reverse heart disease. Focusing on mind, body, and environmental approaches rather than modern drugs and surgery to heal the body, the author provides ways to help patients change their lifestyles, including techniques such as meditation and recipes for healthy eating.
Human Impacts on Amazonia: The Role of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Conservation and Development. Darrell Addison Posey and Michael J. Balick, eds. New York: Columbia University Press; 2006. 366 pages, softcover, contents, appendices, index, references. $34.50. ISBN 0-231-10589-4.
Compiled by a cultural anthropologist (Posey) and a leading ethnobotanist (Balick), this book exposes the disruption of the Amazonians’ livelihood due to the desire for modernization and development among non-natives. Multiple contributors share insights and opinions concerning the Amazon’s unique environmental and economic importance. The contributors stress the significance of collaboration with the native Amazonians in order to preserve their native customs.
The Yellow Emperor’s Medicine Classic: Treatise on Health and Long Life 4th ed. Zhou Chuncai. Singapore: Asiapac Books PTE LTD; 2005. 213 pages, softcover, b&w illustrations, illustrative stories, Chinese characters translated to English. $10.00. ISBN 981-3068-28-0.
Applies the medical knowledge of the Yellow Emperor, the ancient mythical icon of Chinese culture, with comic book style illustrations to explain the road to a more healthy and balanced life through the ways of traditional Chinese medicine.
Maya Medicine: Traditional Healing in Yucatán. Marianna Appel Kunow. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press; 2003. 152 pages, hardcover, b&w photos, contents, tables, illustrations, glossary, references, index. $29.95. ISBN 08263-2864-4.
Examines the techniques of healers in Pisté, Mexico, near the ancient Mayan city of Chichén Itzá on the Yucatán Peninsula, including prayer, massage, plant medicine, western medicine, and ritual practices. Discusses more than 100 plants used by traditional Mayan healers over generations for various medicinal purposes. Includes many plant drawings as well as a plant catalog.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Sourcebook 3rd ed. Sandra J. Judd. Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics; 2006. 657 pages, hardcover, contents, charts, glossary, resource list, index, references. $87.00. ISBN 0-7808-0864-9.