6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Valuable resource of Hawaiian and Chinese medicine, July 7, 2008
This review is from: Medicine at Your Feet (Paperback)
As the author of the book
Na Mo'olelo Lomilomi: The Traditions of Hawaiian Massage and Healing, which includes Hawaiian herbal medicine or la'au lapa'au, I welcome this valuable resource to expand our knowledge. This book goes far beyond anything available in print about Hawaiian medicine, and then combines it with Chinese Traditional Medicine (CTM) practices.
It lists 49 Hawaiian endemic or Polynesian introduced plants. For each plant it gives the name, similar species, common names, CTM category and properties, toxicity, cautions and contraindications (thank you!), meridian affinities, habitat, pictures, Western research, preparation, dosage, and cross-cultural uses from all over the world. It lists constituents, non-medical uses, and possible drug interactions. One of my favorite parts is "notes 'n quotes" for each plant, tidbits that didn't fit anywhere else.
After listing all this for each plant, the author takes the information the other way and presents innumerable conditions and the plants to consider as remedies. It has an amazing Bibliography of almost 20 pages in 8 point type, a thorough index and a listing of reference web sites.
Although it sounds scholarly, and it is, it also reflects the author's passion and years of experience. His personality shines through in his side notes and in some of the information he chooses to include. He sounds like just the person you would want to go with on a herb walk. Since we can't have him for that, this book is the next best thing.
I only wish the pictures were in color, but there are many plant books out there with color plates so you can use those instead. I'm also disappointed that there is no biographical information about the author. Who is he?
The introduction of the book is a delight to read, because he places plant medicine in the larger context of Hawaiian healing. He speaks of asking permission to take plants, of having pure intention and deep respect. He gives a protocol for collecting plant medicines. As an example, he writes, "While gathering medicine we are taking lives, the lives of these plants." That reminds me of the quote from Uncle Butch Richards in my book
Hawaiian Massage Lomilomi: Sacred Touch of Aloha. He said, "The plants are the real kanaka maoli, the first native Hawaiians."
This book is a tribute to these ancestors of the first people of Hawai'i. Mahalo to the author and publisher for making it available.
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