Herbal Healing Secrets of the Orient [Paperback]

Darlena L'Orange (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1998

A comprehensive, user-friendly encyclopaedia of healing herbs from Oriental cultures, this book offers herbal remedies for 100 common ailments. It offers step-by-step instructions, advice, case histories, folklore and knowledge of the healing properties of over 75 Oriental herbs.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"The truth is that all herbs are not for all people all of the time," writes Darlena L'Orange, an herbalist/acupuncturist/anthropologist. While cautioning against following the herbal fad-of-the-month, she describes all of the natural substances known to help humans in every area of health and wellness, from alleviating colds to fighting off anorexia. The depth of detail in Herbal Healing Secrets of the Orient is astonishing. It encompasses Eastern medical wisdom (why liver problems lead to both excess anger and "doormat" personalities, for example); how-to information (dendrobium, from a tree-dwelling orchid, helps relieve lower-back pain and improve vision); and recipes galore (including one to help alleviate gas caused by switching to a plant-based diet).

From Booklist

This comprehensive handbook of Chinese herbal medicines begins with an introduction to basic Chinese health concepts. L'Orange, an acupuncturist and herbalist, reviews the Five Element System and lists foods and herbs that can help balance these energies. Western medical approaches and research are mentioned when relevant to the discussion of conditions or disharmonies. The author describes in detail the principles of combining herbs into formulas and their preparation. Chapter 3, which constitutes half the book, lists 108 commonly used herbs, giving for each a brief history of use, where it is grown, healing qualities, use in herbal combinations, and herbs with similar actions. L'Orange discusses three dozen common ailments, breaking them down more specifically from a Chinese point of view and giving the reader suggestions for specific individual herbs, Chinese patent remedies, or her preferred classical formulas. Chinese herbal medicine is generally safe, with few side effects; adequate precautions are provided by the author. The book ends with several recipes incorporating healing foods and herbs for each type of general imbalance. Penny Spokes

Product Details

• Paperback: 380 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall Pr (January 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0138493162
• ISBN-13: 978-0138493165
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,131,264 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well-written and Easily Understood!, June 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Herbal Healing Secrets of the Orient (Hardcover)

As China becomes a world economic power and the West and East join to co-create new medical and social models for the betterment of all life on earth, it is vital for westerners to understand the ancient and fascinating art and science of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Herbal Healing Secrets is well-written and easily understood by the western mind. Darlena L'Orange introduces us to many practical and inspirational ways of putting Traditional Chinese Herbalism and Medicine to work to improve the quality of life.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a treasure, March 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Herbal Healing Secrets of the Orient (Hardcover)

I have been a patient, friend, and colleague of Darlena's for the past twelve years and have always been inspired and encouraged by her integrity. In Herbal Healing Secrets of the Orient she brings in very complex information and simplifies it so it can be used by the public. She is the physician that Hippocrates spoke of, "Let your medicine be your food and your food be your medicine." Not only has she developed herself as a master acupuncturist and herbalist, but also as a culinary artist. Darlena has learned to incorporate the wisdom of many ancient healing systmes into her medicinal recipes. She has not only taught me life enhancing ways of eating, cooking and taking herbs, but has likewise helped numerous patients of mine. In all ways she is a treasure. I think so, my family thinks so, and so do my patients. We're all thrilled that this book is now on the market so we can apply its healing principles in our self-care programs. I regularly give my patients excerpts and recipes from Herbal Healing Secrets!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to Oriental herbalism, March 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Herbal Healing Secrets of the Orient (Hardcover)

L'Orange has taken a very complex topic and made it accessible to the American public. As a practicing acupuncturist and herbalist, I applaude her pioneering efforts to open the world of Chinese medicine to both Jon and Jane C. Public! I frequently loan copies of "Herbal Healing Secrets of the Orient" to my patients who enjoy reading about the herbs and herbal prescriptions they are taking. This book is loaded with wonderful health tips, great recipes, a short but thorough introduction to Chinese medical philosophy and one of the best sections on individual healing herbs available to readers. Comparing L'Orange's book to Kaptchuk's is like comparing apples to "Oranges"! Kaptchuk's book is a classic but deals completely with Chinese philosophy and the descriptions of acupuncture meridians with scarcely a mention of Chinese herbs. For those interested in learning more about Chinese healing herbs, this book is for you.