Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life: Achieving Optimal Health and Wellness through Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, and Western Science [Paperback]

Claudia Welch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 22, 2011

Tired? Overworked? Stressed? Out of balance? Welcome to the twenty-first century, where women's stress levels have reached unprecedented heights. Between myriad responsibilities, women burn through even the energy gained from sufficient sleep and a healthy diet. The result? Hormonal havoc.

In clear, accessible language, internationally renowned doctor Claudia Welch explains hormones from A to Z, specifically how they relate to each other, how and why they become imbalanced, and how women can restore that balance. Welch includes simple diet tips, stress-management techniques, and natural sleep secrets. Using the principles of Ayurveda (popularized in the West by Deepak Chopra) and the holistic sensibility of Dr. Christiane Northrup, Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life gives women the essential tools to achieve the perfect balance between their yin (sex hormones) and yang (stress hormones), and between the body and the mind.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In her first full-length effort, Welch offers women a comprehensive overview of Oriental Medicine. She suggests that the root of problems faced by modern women can be found in an imbalance between sex hormones and stress hormones that results in women "of all ages" experiencing problems ranging from "painful periods, mood swings, fatigue, and insomnia to...uterine fibroids, hot flashes, heart disease and osteoporosis." Welch, a licensed massage therapist who holds a certificate from the state of New Mexico to practice Oriental Medicine and a national certificate to practice acupuncture, wisely offers a disclaimer: "this book should not be taken or construed as medical diagnosis or treatment." She breaks down hormones (the "ambassadors of Yin and Yang"), discusses serious health issues, from breast risks to dementia, and offers methods for restoring hormonal balance. While these primarily include a diet based in organic whole grains, beans, green vegetables, and soy, meditation and exercise, and the reduction of stress inducers (some of her advice will strike readers as familiar), when taken as a whole, the advice is sound. A welcome eastern addition to the women's health discussion. (Mar.)

Review

Bookviews, February 2011
“Make a note to pick up a copy of this interesting book.”

Publishers Weekly (web-exclusive), 4/4/11
“A welcome eastern addition to the women's health discussion.”

 

Energy Times, online, 5/13/11

“Provide[s] a well-rounded view on an often confusing subject.”

Tucson Citizen, 5/12/11
“Bringing clarity to the complexities of body chemistry, this well-crafted book will help women discover the rewards and rejuvenation that come with a balanced life.”

 

San Francisco Book Review, May 2011
“A thought-provoking look into the ways our bodies are driven, and, often, run into the ground…If you are tired of being sick, and sick of being tired this is a read in which you will find the beginnings of simple, holistic, and lasting relief.”

 

Curled Up with a Good Book

“Loaded with good advice, spelling out simple changes that are both practical and easy to implement…For your own sake, read this book and take its lessons to heart.” 

Yoga International, January 2011
“Dr. Welch brings a clear voice to the often confusing and conflicting body of information surrounding hormones and women’s health…A user-friendly guide that skillfully blends Eastern therapies with Western health concerns.”

Portland Book Review, 12/1/11
“Her writing style is readable and user-friendly. Medical terms are explained. She includes easy recipes for improving diet. Issues concerning menstruation, birth control, breast and heart health, fertility, and aging are answered and Welch addresses how Eastern versus Western medicine deals with each issue. Especially helpful is Welch’s analysis of Eastern spiritual practices and meditation.”

 

Spirituality & Health, 12/22/11

“Readers will find a wealth of information on the sex (yin) and stress (yang) hormones, advice on how to address specific health issues, and ideas for stress management, healthy diet options (including recipes), and lifestyle changes. An informative and accessible door into the world of Eastern medicine, likely to be especially appreciated by women seeking ways to end the unhealthy cycle of stress in their lives.”

 

AsiaSpa (Singapore), July/August 2012
“Welch tackles issues concerning birth control, menstruation and fertility in a user-friendly and readable manner.”

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Lifelong Books; 1 edition (March 22, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738214825
• ISBN-13: 978-0738214825
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,042 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #99 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Women's Health > General

More About the Author

Claudia Welch is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and a practitioner of Ayurvedic medicine. She is an author of Eastern medicine and philosophy. She regularly lectures on Women's Health, and Oriental and Ayurvedic medicines internationally and brings a depth of knowledge and a sense of joy to her presentations.

Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life, Dr. Welch's new book, combines Eastern medical theory with Western science to provide uncommon insights into hormones, women's health concerns, lifestyle and diet. It is designed to be accessible for all women, and anyone who wants to understand women's health, whether they are students or practitioners of Western medicine, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, or simply of life. It is not important to have any background in any medical system to appreciate and grok this book, but it 
also offers new perspectives to seasoned medical practitioners. For more information, see www.drclaudiawelch.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Right to the Heart March 15, 2011

By DDibble

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I enjoyed this book it immensely. It is written in a very down to earth style, but with an abundance of knowledge and experience in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. The identification and purpose of the hormones and how they work is explained very clearly. Lifestyle, diet, and stress management are reinforced as the way in which we can jumpstart our ways out of feeling 'crummy'.
> This book not only reinforced my faith in taking charge of our healing, but brought to light that it is OK to SLOW down and not fear looking weak or 'on task' at all times.
> This book has helped me to regain confidence in myself as the Self. I now understand the need for my yin to be nourished.

It will touch the hearts of many women.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life" - book review by Yoga Energy Studio July 7, 2011

By ayurvedavie

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The book is 305 pages full of abundant and scientifically sound information. Her writing and teaching brings invaluable information to the reader in an easy to follow and witty form. I have enjoyed this book so much that the studio has made it required reading for our Yoga and Ayurveda Therapy Teacher Training 300-hour, 750-hour and 1,000-hour.

I have been recommending this book to my private clients. The ones who have read it have gained a better understanding of Ayurveda and because of this they were able to take more control and responsibility over their healing process. I have found that most people are more willing to implement a change if they know that there is science behind it. This book enables me to easily show people the science behind Ayurveda and Chinese medicine.

Furthermore, "Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life" not only covers the meeting ground of Eastern and Western medicine, it also explains a lot of myths and misconceptions that have been polluting both systems. Dr. Claudia Welch has been able to identify how the term "statistics" can be misleading when it comes to the Western medicine and how "folklore" can be falsely passed as Eastern medicine.

There is so much knowledge in this book that, dare I say, after a layman studies it, they will understand and know more than some ayurvedic practitioners that I have met.

I recommend this book to every one that wants to learn more about Ayurveda, Chinese medicince, or simply aspires to becoming and staying healthy.

Thank you Claudia for the gift of this book!

Sylvie Binga, MS
[e-mail]
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating reading! April 22, 2011

By Sarahlo

Format:Paperback

Whether you have questions and concerns about your own hormonal balance or not, Dr. Claudia Welch's book is fascinating. I read the sections on fertility and conception with just as much interest and pleasure as the sections which applied to my life now, namely menopause. She presents a wealth of information, clearly laid out and accessible in spite of being a very complex subject. And she offers the reader the best of all three worlds; Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, and Western science, skillfully woven together.
Highly recommended to women of any age, as well as to the men in their lives.