Oriental Medicine - Hardcover

Van Alphen, Jan; De Fraeye, Mark; Aris, Anthony; Alphen, Jan Van

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1570621756 ISBN 13: 9781570621758

Publisher: Shambhala, 1995

Synopsis

This is the first book to introduce a general readership to the medical traditions of Asia from the perspective of both Western scholars and traditional health practitioners. An authoritative source of information on the history, theory, and practice of the Asian healing arts, it is also a beautiful gift book featuring lavish illustrations photographed especially for this publication: body charts, herbal medicines, and other paraphernalia; exquisite artworks including paintings, sculptures, and ceramics; and scenes of contemporary medical practice throughout Asia.

About this title

Reviews

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.

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

Edition details

• Publisher: Shambhala
• Publication date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1570621756
• ISBN 13: 9781570621758
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 271