Ayurvedic Medicine: The Principles of Traditional Practice, 1e [Hardcover]

Sebastian Pole LicOHM AyurHC (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 044310090X | ISBN-13: 978-0443100901 | Publication Date: September 19, 2006 | Edition: 1

Ayurvedic Medicine brings 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 the growth of Ayurveda , a discussion of its fundamental principles, treatment strategies as well as the energetic approach of traditional Ayurvedic herbal pharmacy and pharmacology. It also emphasizes the importance of using sustainably harvested herbs in clinical practice. The introductory "theoretical" chapters complement the core of the book that includes over 100 plant profiles of Ayurvedic herbs and 50 traditional formulas.

• The herbal material medica of Ayurveda is discussed, along with traditional ayurvedic energetics, in way that is accessible to the western complementary practitioner.
• Uniquely styled plant profiles include information on over 100 herbs and 25 formulas.
• The Ayurvedic theory of clinical treatment is clearly presented, as well as its application.
• Material represents a blend of traditional medicine with modern research, combining pure Ayurveda with modern phytotherapy and bio-medicine.
• Coverage of each plant includes details on growing habitat and special characteristics.
• Practical step-by-step instructions explain how to prepare herbal medicines in the unique Ayurvedic style - oils, creams, ghees, jams, etc.
• Photos are provided of both the freshly growing herbs and dried samples.
• Authored by an experienced Medical Herbalist, Ayurvedic practitioner, and passionate herb grower well-versed in the classical Ayurvedic texts and contemporary writings.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Pole has created a multi-faceted text on Ayurvedic herbs and their medicinal use.The whole text, beautifully presented by Elsevier is a treasure that belongs in the library of every student and practitioner!'

From Light on Ayurvedic Journal, Spring 2008

About the Author

Sebastian Pole Lic OHM, Ayur HC is an Ayurvedic Practitioner and Chinese Herbalist working in Bath in the UK. He is a member of the Ayurvedic Practitioners Association and Director of the Pharmacopoeia Committee as well as a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine. Sebastian is also the Herbal Director and founding partner of Pukka Herbs, The Organic Ayurvedic Herb Specialists.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 399 pages
• Publisher: Churchill Livingstone; 1 edition (September 19, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044310090X
• ISBN-13: 978-0443100901
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #975,857 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent and very much needed work, February 7, 2008

By 

William Courson "William Courson" (Montclair, New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Ayurvedic Medicine: The Principles of Traditional Practice, 1e (Hardcover)

Sebastian Pole is a British practitioner of ayurveda, traditional Chinese and Western herbal medicine as well as a professional teacher of yoga and is a pioneer in the cultivation of organic ayurvedic herbs in the UK, and has had extensive clinical training in ayurvedic clinics and hospitals in India. He has presented the health care community and the ayurvedic profession with what surely will become the definitive textbook of ayurvedic herbal medicine for aspiring practitioners and manual for clinicians in the Western and English-speaking world.

This book has filled a desperate and long-felt need for an English-language work that is at a sufficient level of clinical detail for working and student practitioners of ayurveda. It is replete with color photographs, superbly well-organized details on each herb catalogued, and very well written. I refer to it daily in both my practice and my teaching.

"Ayurvedic Medicine: The Principles of Traditional Practice" provides a deep and broad understanding of the theory underlying ayurvedic pharmacology and therapeutics along with a practical materia medica of over 80 ayurvedic plant remedies, each carefully denoted by its common Indian name, Sanskrit and Latin name, description, color photographs of the herb in both its prepared and fresh forms, energetics, phytoconstitutents, ayurvedic and biomedical actions, indications, contraindications, safety issues, formulations and dosage, along with additional notes.

The work is divided into three main sections. Part 1 presents a history of ayurveda and the development of its materia medica; basic principles (the panch mahabhutas, the three doshas, the saptadhatus, the srota, ayurvedic anatomy, disease etiology and pathology); principles of ayurvedic herbal pharmacology and pharmacy; ayurvedic diagnosis and therapeutics, treatment protocols and the scientific basis for ayurveda's claims. Part 2 presents the plant profiles, herb sourcing, and traditional formulas, and Part 3 contains useful tabular appendices, a glossary, herbal sources, plant name indices, and transliteration and pronunciation notes.

Everyone involved in ayurveda, and in a larger sense everyone involved in or interested in health care, complimentary medicine or herbalism, owes Mr. Pole a huge debt of gratitude for this excellent and very much needed work.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely amazing!, February 6, 2008

By 

Nico (Santa Fe, NM) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Ayurvedic Medicine: The Principles of Traditional Practice, 1e (Hardcover)

This book has finally filled the space between Dravyaguna and Yoga of Herbs. It is totally comprehensive with color pictures, superb detail of each herb, and very well organized. We are already referring to it every single day. This book is a must-have for anyone using herbs in the practice of Ayurveda.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good in-depth reference, June 2, 2008

By 

Deborah Steffen "Cedar Mist Yogini" (Vernonia, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ayurvedic Medicine: The Principles of Traditional Practice, 1e (Hardcover)

This book has a wonderful concise introduction to Ayurveda. The information on the Ayurvedic herbs and blends is the best I have seen so far. I have only been studying Ayurveda for a little over a year, however I found this easy to follow and extremely well written.