Customer Reviews

The Holistic Handbook of Sauna Therapy

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The Holistic Handbook of Sauna Therapy was truly a delight to read. Dr. Sylver has a gifted ability to do comprehensive research, perceive the technical information that is available to the analytical mind, and then transform it into an enjoyably readable book for globally minded random thinkers such as myself.

Having read Dr. Sylver's previous book The Handbook of Rife Frequency Healing, I expected the comprehensive writing skill and outstanding layout of her quality work. That was all present in this new book, but I was also pleasantly surprised at how much I learned about saunas, and how important they are for detoxification. Indeed, I was able to see that in some cases saunas may be the only therapy that can eliminate drugs, chemicals, and heavy metals especially in a rapid time frame.

Dr. Sylver begins by reviewing historically documented evidence of the long history of sauna usage, construction, and cultural and social aspects of the sauna. She explains, in incredible detail, how and why the body produces sweat, and the positive benefits of deliberately inducing sweating.

As in all of Dr. Sylver's work, she goes above and beyond the subject at hand by giving an expansive education of all complementary aspects of the subject. For instance, in discussing the many types of saunas and the benefits and weaknesses of different types of sauna construction, she touches on the FIR (far infrared) saunas, and gives a comprehensive education on the electromagnetic spectrum, complete with wonderful graphic charts, to make wavelengths and cycles per second theory very understandable to lay persons. She goes on to discuss the heat spectrums of visible and infrared (invisible) spectrums of light. All this comes into play in FIR saunas. As I've said, she puts so much more into her books than just the topic of the book, and this makes it so enjoyable to learn.

Another thing that was so interesting was her discussion of toxins that we all come in contact with, and how each of these are directly and indirectly responsible for allergies, syndromes, disease -- in fact, all kinds of chemical and hormonal problems that we might not ever suspect are responsible for our diseased states. Even for nerve diseases that we think of as incurable in the medical world, she give evidence of significant measurable relief of symptoms directly due to the elimination of chemicals and heavy metals. The detoxification is so noticeable that it shows up in pre-program vs. post-program tests. For instance, Dr. Sylver shows conclusively that in test subjects having central nervous system afflictions as well as autoimmune diseases, in a specified program of 50 days sauna therapy gave a 99% reduction of symptoms. While we may not be able to say that medically this person was "cured," we can say it sure made a measurable difference in the quality of this person's life.

I must say that I was totally impressed. My own husband is in construction. He is constantly exposed to various chemicals in building products, paint, thinners, etc. He and I also live in an agricultural community where crop dusting goes on for days several times a year, so we are constantly exposed to abnormally large amounts of chemicals. After reading Dr. Sylver's case for how these various chemicals affect different systems, including neurological and endocrine, I was convinced that finding a sauna soon was not just a luxury to experience, but a necessity for achieving a healthy life -- free of toxic symptoms. Dr. Sylver states her case most eloquently.

This book is truly a must have resource. I really enjoyed it, and learned more than I ever anticipated. Very well done!

Health, Hope, Joy & Healing :
May you Prosper, even as your Soul Prospers 3John 2

Jennifer Ruby

http://www.rubysemporium.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SymphonicHealth

I know someone with MS who has used many alternative regimens to combat his illness. He did well for a couple of months on holistic therapies, but after going to the dentist to get the last of the mercury in his mouth removed, he needed his crutches continuously. Now he is in a wheelchair.

What I found odd was that he had mentioned that he didn't sweat.

Years ago I had an emergency root canal. The dentist packed it with a whopper mercury filling. I remember that my arms lost a significant amount of strength, my left much worse than my right (the filling was on the left side if that had anything to do with it) and the left was also a bit sore. Exercise with swimming and biking did not help the problem. This lasted through the winter months, but as springtime and summer came to Atlanta, with the 100 degree F days and me working in the yard and being "blessed" with the capacity to sweat a great deal, the strength returned to my arms in about two weeks.

I thought back on this and wondered if perhaps the problem with my friend was he just did not sweat enough to get the mercury and other toxic metals out of his muscles and other tissues. Further study on the matter revealed that it may not just be the mercury in "silver fillings" that causes neurological and muscle disorders, but other toxic metals including tin and nickel.

Then I read Dr. Nenah Sylver's book, "The Holistic Handbook of Sauna Therapy." It confirmed my suspicions.

Sylver explains that this is indeed the case - that sweating can be a major avenue of detoxification for the body and not just for metals but also for toxic chemicals and metabolic wastes. She explains the processes by which they are eliminated. She cites and examines studies which show how many toxic elements can be removed by sweating and it is surprising that certain types of toxins, including some metals, are most effectively excreted by the skin than by the usual avenues of elimination - the kidneys, liver, and bowel. As Dr. Sylver states, a sauna can be a necessary piece of medical equipment.

The Handbook also details many other aspects of sauna use including the available types including how to construct one's own, instructions on their use, who may use a sauna and who may not, details on how to use a sauna for detoxification purposes, and how, why, and *what* we sweat.

Besides the excellent content, Sylver's writing style is a delight. It is thorough yet accessible, with just the right amount of technicality to satisfy the practioner without losing the laymen in the details. Highly recommended!

Brian McInturff

When I first got this book as a present, I thought, what is so complicated about sweating that someone would write 325+ pages about it?

But midway through the first chapter, I was hooked. This lady really knows her subject. She has done a great job making even hard-core scientific info understandable. And she writes with conviction and verve. It's easy to be engrossed by amusing historical anecdotes, but when I got to the chapters on biology and heat, even stuff I didn't think I'd be interested in, I was interested in. Turns out there was lots I didn't know about the body, including simple things I could do to keep myself healthy.

One big revelation was the differences between steam heat and far infrared heat. People actually did studies on this, even one hundred years ago. Another revelation was how long toxins (chemicals etc.) can stay in the body, where they come from, how they are stored, and how dangerous they are, which is why sweating them out is such a great idea. Another revelation was the extensive charts showing how many health conditions respond well to sauna therapy and why. Apparently even those who are quite ill can be helped by sweating. I was skeptical, but Sylver has detailed quotes and protocols from doctors who specialize in detox programs for the seriously ill, and what they say makes sense.

Another interesting section was what materials you should use to build your own sauna. This has a lot of detail too, from which materials are best for the chemically sensitive to which heaters work best with certain building materials. There is a good guide in the back on where to purchase components to build your own, and where to buy a ready-made sauna if you've already got the bucks. There's another multipage chart, this one comparing different types of saunas in terms of cost, construction materials, heaters, space allowance, durability, compatibility with ozone, compatibility with the chemically sensitive, etc. This will save people lots of time when they're shopping around.

The chapter on how to take a sauna contains plenty of commonsense advice, including a few surprises and some info about heatstroke. No stone seems unturned in this book. Thankfully, Sylver doesn't appear to make any unsubstantiated claims, her book is heavily referenced. But although she is really into the science, she never makes you feel stupid, she walks you through all the explanations step by step and when you're done you really feel as though you've learned something.

While reading this book, I really wanted to start sweating immediately. There is a handy compendium in the back of the book of resorts, health clubs, and spas all over the US (and some overseas) that have saunas and steam rooms. There was a place nearby with an infrared sauna, so I went there and had a real sweaty time.

I don't yet own a sauna, but this book definitely convinced me to start saving to buy my own. Saunas ain't cheap. But our health is priceless.

The Holistic Handbook of Sauna Therapy is one of the most readable reference tomes around. This is a handy "how-to" book containing practical details for maintaining or regaining health through the use of the sauna. But this book is also an authoritative reference, with its careful notes at the end of each chapter and an extensive bibliography which add authority and scientific credibility to an age-old method of healing.

Dr. Nenah Sylver has done excellent research and covered all the common questions (and some uncommon ones) that people have regarding sauna therapy. In addition to fascinating details on matters ranging from the physiology of sweating to the history of the far infrared sauna, Sylver has included a list of spas and clinics using heat therapy and recommendations of sauna manufacturers, thereby increasing the usefulness of this valuable resource.

Read this book if:
* you want to increase your benefit from a sauna
* you found the malady that plagues you in the index
* you know you are exposed to toxicity in your workplace
* you want to build your own sauna
* you enjoy learning about non-invasive healing modalities
* your doctor said to avoid saunas
* you have been exposed to heavy metals
* you suffer with a chronic health issue

I found the information in this book to be of particular value in this age of increasing sensitivity to environmental toxins, and with the increase of drug-resistant pathogens due to the overuse of pharmaceuticals. This book is a serious addition to the arsenal of tools effective in alleviating physical degeneration and aiding in the restoration of good health. After reading this book, you will want to add sauna therapy to your own healing regime.

This book is very well written, and well worth adding to your library.

Saralou Pedigo, BA, BDiv

For ten years, as a health and environmental advocate, I have worked to raise people's awareness of the health risks associated with environmental chemical exposure. As a columnist for the Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, I have often written about the need for increased awareness of how environmental toxins lead to degenerative disorders. We are exposed every day to pesticides in the home and in our food supply, to preservatives and solvents in personal care products, and numerous other categories of noxious chemicals. These common and dangerous toxins interfere with the body's immunity, and over a long period of time affect our ability to maintain health and stamina.

In order to avoid the numerous degenerative diseases that plague Americans, it is crucial that we eliminate these accumulated toxins from our bodies. Nenah Sylver has written a very readable book--informative, clear, interesting, well researched, ideal for both the layperson and the professional health care provider. The documentation is comprehensive and covers many areas. A few sources are over a century old and quaint by today's standards, but still relevant. I was familiar with much of the research, but this book makes everything accessible in one place.

This book is well organized. Its index and "how-to" instructions are user-friendly, and the medical tables are inventive. There is also an excellent explanation of Far Infrared, which comprises most of one chapter, with an unusual chart of the electromagnetic spectrum. In addition to medical studies and data on biology and physiology, there is information on saunas themselves: design, heaters, how heat is transmitted, construction materials etc., which helps the reader sort through the hype of sauna manufacturers. I was pleased to learn how Far Infrared exceeds the value and benefits of other heat treatments.

The Holistic Handbook of Sauna Therapy is well worth the price. Not only is the information superlative, but the design of the book is excellent, with good margins and easy-to-read print. The book is also extremely comfortable to hold, like a well loved lap dog.

This book is an excellent tool for anyone interested in health maintenance and disease prevention. There are many simple measures that we can do for ourselves to keep us well, without relying on others. Sauna therapy is one such measure. I am currently investigating which model of sauna will best suit my needs. This book will help me decide.

As a novice I found this book a wonderful resource. I feel that it saved me months, perhaps years, of personal research. When it comes to health it is not wise to learn the facts after the fact. You can make a bad situation worse this way. And when it comes to saunas lack of knowledge can be a serious problem. There is more to know about a sauna than "you sit in a hot room for a half hour or an hour and slowly get well". There is a safe way to do it and a multitude of not safe ways to do it. If you are seriously interested in improving your health through the use of saunas I would seriously encourage you to get this book and learn how to do it correctly, and safely from the start.

Donna Crow
http://www.excellentthings.com

I was looking into sauna therapy to improve my health and was unsure as to types of saunas, how long/often to take one, eat or empty stomach, shower before/after..this book not only answered all my basic questions but was a wealth of information about detoxifying the body, clinical terms of why we sweat and how important it is, nutritional support, ozone therapy, just about anything one needs to know about sauna therapy. Don't be put off by the cost...it is priceless! Oh....I can't loan it to you...it is my HANDBOOK....I need it...!

A few years back, I purchased a FIR sauna after becoming aware of their value from readings on the Internet. After my purchase, I decided that it might be good to buy a book on the topic of saunas to ensure that I was properly using the sauna. I guess that I was a little backwards in my thinking. I should have purchased the book first and then the sauna. Anyway, I am glad that I purchased the book as it did shed light on the proper way to use a sauna. It is important to replenish lost minerals from the sweating process. I can tell you that I have experienced what I consider to be a miracle from my sauna. I was experiencing what I can only imagine was arthritis in my hands and wrist. The pain was excruciating. I was afraid to open a jar for fear of the searing pain that might accompany it. After dedicated use of the sauna, the pain is gone. I also know that I am sweating out toxins and actually enjoy the time in the sauna. Nenahs book was a smart buy. I would also like to share my experience with my order of her book. My order was late to the point that I was convinced that the book was lost in transit. I called Nenah and was apologized to and assured that a second book would be sent. I received the book a short time after the phone call. I also was sent a second book by her(The Handbook of Rife Frequency Healing) as a gesture of an apology. This was way beyond anything that I expected. I know that the first book lost in transit, was not her fault. I am sure a lot of merchandise gets inadvertantly lost just due to the shear bulk of items mailed. When I received this book, it held little interest to me due to my ignorance on the topic. Well, this book blew my mind with the introduction to Royal Raymond Rife and his amazing invention. It is an incredible invention and book. Is there an actual alternative cure for cancer? Did Royal Raymond Rife invent it? I believe it. Buy this book also. It is amazing. If you, or anyone you know is ill, with any type of serious affliction, check this book out. The information in it could save your life. This has become much longer than I intended. I only meant to write to thank Nenah for her great books and to write to tell people who might be interested in their health, to consider purchasing her books. Thanks Nenah\Nina.

Sweat it out: Book outlines how and why of sauna
Dr. Nenah Sylver says on her website that when she was first invited to write about sauna therapy, she thought she'd be writing a pamphlet. Applying her inquiring mind to the subject of sweat, she soon realized there was far, far more to say than she had realized.
Modern medicine seems to be gradually coming to terms with what traditional cultures from China to Europe to Peru and beyond have long known about disease: It's the toxins, silly. Toxins in our food and in our environment build up in our bodies, resulting in a host of maladies from the annoying to the life threatening. Modern life, of course, exposes us to toxins our ancestors never dreampt of
Those same cultures, as Sylver makes plain in an early chapter, understand the value of simple sweating- brought on by heating the body- as a way to flush those toxins out and leave room for health to happen. And although saunas may have caught on as an essential component of the modern American health spa or club, it's doubtful that most people really understand the depth and breadth of benefits they can realize by making sauna therapy a regular part of their health regimen, as the Finns have done for generations.
The Holistic Handbook of Sauna Therapy aims to correct that situation, and does so admirably, with chapters on sauna history, how and why we sweat, what's in sweat and why our bodies need to get rid of it- and goes on to discuss heat types, sauna construction, various health conditions that may benefit from sauna therapy and a few that rule it out or require modifications, how to sweat properly, overall detoxification problems, and where to find the nearest sauna or get one of your very own.
The author's intelligence and depth of research are formidable; thankfully, her writing style is not. She manages to be both in-depth and conversational, not to mention extremely convincing- her enthusiasm is backed by exhaustive study, which she clearly enjoyed, and the sense of enjoyment shines through in the text. Sylver has found out something good to share with the rest of us, and does so with panache, sincerity and sensitivity.
Should you read this book? Do you inhabit a human body? (If you don't, and are currently reading this, please contact the Bluestone Press for a feature story.) Would you like to regain or maintain health and vitality for the rest of your years, without relying on the pharmaceutical industry and the wizards of managed care?
The book is available at www.NenahSylver.com, along with a host of other intriguing stuff. Check it out. Enjoy.

This book is easy to sum up: without doubt, the most well-researched and comprehensive book on the topic in the English language.

As a physician and author myself, I was absolutely impressed with Dr. Sylver's thorough research and writing style. It is rare to find someone who can write about complex medical and scientific topics in such a clear, even fun way.

This book is a presentation of what is one of the two or three best techniques anyone can use for getting and staying well. Saunas -- applying heat to the body to induce sweating -- has been in continuous use as a healing method for tens of thousands of years. It is applied today in virtually every therapeutic approach to treatment of a wide range of conditions, ailments and diseases. Saunas are affordable enough to be part of everyone's home regimen for health.

I recommend this book to everyone interested in discovering one of the best healing methods available, anywhere, at any price.

Hakim Chishti, ND
http://www.unani.com
author of
Traditional Healers Handbook &
Book of Sufi Healing
(both available of Amazon.com)