Customer Reviews

Health and Healing

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is required reading for all students at the Clayton College of Natural Health. It should, in fact, be required reading for anyone entering the field of health, as it convincingly drives home an important point: just because allopathy ("conventional" or "western" medicine) has the most powerful medical lobby in the US, its history is far from flawless, and is often downright embarrassing when compared with that of time-honored systems such as homeopathy or tribal approaches to healing. In an entertaining and lucid manner, Dr Weil introduces the reader to many of the alternative approaches still being practiced the world over, and their advantages and shortcomings. He also points to the need for ALL kinds of medicines, and provides guidelines on which types of dis-eases are best handled by the various specialties. All in all, a thoroughly readable and informative book which will hopefully abolish forever the popular regard of M.D.s as "demigods in white," and the idea that allopathic medicine is the only credible and worthwhile approach to healing our sick.

Dr. Weil presents an objective view of many healing modalities that may be familar to most Americans. He includes allopathic (traditional Western) medicine, homeopathic, naturopathic, osteopathic, and chiropractic paths; acupunction, holistic medicine, shamanism/mind cures/faith healing, and psychic healing. He not only presents assets and disadvantages of each modality, but also presents some theories on why any course of treatment works. He explores the role of faith and the patient's belief in the treatment as a positive contributor to the effectiveness of the treatment. He describes the "placebo effect", where people are cured of illness by drugs that have no biological affect on the illness. He discusses the origins and effectiveness of pharmeceutical drugs and narcotics.

Dr. Weil's questioning leads the reader to also question his/her own role in healing and in making appropriate choices in health care. His treatise does not entirely put down allopathic or alternative medicine, but does put each in its place so the reader is left with a sense of responsibility. It is up to us to decide what we, as persons seeking health, need in terms of treatment and what will choose to place our faith in.

Pinned on my office wall is an uplifting reminder titled, "Seven Rules Of A Winner". I found it interesting that the author listed health as the first rule. He wrote, "Be proactive and preventative about your health. Your body is your one and only vehicle for your journey to success, so start taking care of your health through exercise and diet." (The Psychology of Winning, by Denis Waitley). I didn't take that statement seriously until after a medical problem sent me to the hospital. Since happiness seems to go hand-in-hand with having a healthy body, I highly recommend this book. If nothing else, it provided me with a positive perspective on illness, and that alone made it worth reading. It also opened my eyes to the down-side of high-tech medicine, or rather, it put American medical practices into perspective and introduced me to alternatives. Herbal remidies are investigated as well as many others. The bottom line: read this book to learn how the body can heal itself and just how much is not known about the process of healing. A must read for anyone wishing to take control of their own health.

This book was required reading in my college microbiology class. I've kept it ever since and I have read it several times more. I've also given this book as a gift. It will really open your mind to several types of alternative medicine. The fact that this was written by a "traditional" M.D. brings a bit more legitimacy to the various disciplines of medicine.

Andrew Weil's book was assigned as supplmental reading in a sociology of health and healing systems course at Park College in Southern California. With phrases like, "nothing works all the time and everything works some of the time," Andrew explored health systems worldwide from accupuncture in China to witchdoctors in Latin America. The idea that Western doctors actually gain much of their credibility not because of their own skills, but because they take credit for what the body already does is interesting. Health and medicine previously seemed like a highly scientific study, but viewed from Andrew's perspective, it is, in many ways, philosophically and culturally specific. Andrew brings a whole new world to medicine. Fascinting perspective.

Even though this book was written in 1983, it is the most readable introduction to complementary medicine that I have found. I use it as required reading for my class ("Introduction to Complementary Medicine") at the UCLA School of Medicine. It is really fun to read! My only problem with the book is that he is somewhat negative on Chiropractic therapy (although he is very positive about Osteopathy). His section on homeopathy is extremely well-written.

I have known and a been friend and colleague with Dr. Weil, so I am biased. But when I read this book when it was first released in the 1980's I couldn't put it down. And I find myself returning to it often and recommending it to my patients that are new to integrative medical approaches. In this book, Dr. Weil shares his wealth of personal experience and professional wisdom which tells the story and history which led to the even greater of his works to follow. I do not miss anything he writes, but this one is especially favorite for the information about the history of the world's journey for health and healing.

Doctor Weil is a well-known author, so it is possible that this review is already needless for most people. But as long even few interested in medicine both alternative and conventiona missed this book, there's sense in reviewing it. This book is one of the few of its kind that does not play on our medical beliefs but instead respecting our common sense and experience. Thus it is read with respect by both sides of the 'polarized' community of people related to health issues, therefore to all of us. Doctor Weil systematically explains the history of development and the current state of allopathy, weak and strong sides of which he knows as an insider. His review of alternative medical systems is objective -- he convinces and teaches. You can use the book as a reference guide which is rare in alternative medicine. Dr. Weil does not declare the known truths. If he refers to facts then one can be sure that these facts are fresh, true, and play a role in his logical structures. These logical structures have their own esthetical and intellectual value, but are not meant to impress, rather to reach a goal. That goal is to make us think of our own nature and to believe in its huge healing potential.

This book is without question the best book on health and healing I've ever read. It is a brilliant, fascinating and informed exploration of the science and philosophy of health. It will change your view of medicine, and in doing so should improve your health. If you have a body and a mind, you owe it to yourself to read this book.

Weil writes a very comprehensive book that asks the essential question, "What is health if not th absence of sickness?". Very informative and thought provoking!!!