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

Review

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.

From Library Journal

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.

Edition details

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