Nine Ways to Body Wisdom [Paperback]

Jennifer Harper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2000

This book offers the perfect blend of self-treatments to nourish your body, mind and soul.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

English naturopathic doctor and herbalist Harper believes that patients should not limit themselves to conventional Western medicine but should use holistic approaches that will "acknowledge that the mind, body and spirit need to be treated as a living entity." Her book emphasizes the 4,000-year-old Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) system of diagnosis and treatment, and she explains TCM's fundamental meridian system (a philosophy of energy paths through the body) in terms the layperson can understand. Harper also discusses each body organ, its function and possible disease according to both the Western and Chinese approach. TCM recognizes that the disharmony inherent in each illness will have an accompanying emotional component. As an example Harper states, "The small intestine is in charge of digesting emotions as well as food and is known as the Abdominal Brain... involved with nourishment at all levelsAemotional, mental and spiritual." Harper offers plans for strengthening each organ using acupressure, acupuncture, Bach flower remedies, herbs, diet and positive affirmations. Like most authors of this subject, Harper also emphasizes organic foods, exercise and wholesome lifestyles that revere the self and the Earth. Although British brand names and metric measurements for recipes may throw American readers, this book is valuable for making the mysteries of Chinese medicine accessible to anyone. (Sept.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Jennifer Harper is a qualified Naturopathic Doctor and gifted healer, qualified in various holistic therapies including nutritional medicine, kinesiology, acupressure, aromatherapy, reflexology, and counselling. She is an experienced TV and radio broadcaster and consultant to Here's Health Magazine. 'Jennifer Harper's book is a readable and reliable guide to the best of Chinese and Natural Medicine. I recommend it wholeheartedly.' Peter D'Adamo, Author Eat Right 4 Your Type ' Jennifer opens our eyes to a whole new therapeutic universe' Dr Hilary Jones

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Thorsons (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0722540167
• ISBN-13: 978-0722540169
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,184,574 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great concept falls short!, January 31, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Nine Ways to Body Wisdom (Paperback)

The author makes a noble attempt to present healing techniques in a collective, useful manner. While it has a decent introduction to Chinese medicine, I found the book to be confusing in its organization and poorly edited. Within one chapter, the author advises both against eating nuts and FOR eating walnuts. Descriptions of the techniques are sprinkled randomly throughout the pages instead of being presented in a cohesive manner. Measurements are only UK friendly. Too bad! It could be a valuable reference if it made any sense.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Holistic medicine demystified, December 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Nine Ways to Body Wisdom (Paperback)

Easy to read but full of useable knowledge that helps even the unskilled practitioner understand why natural healing techniques really work. Jenni has pulled many threads together from Chinese medicine to meditation, flower remedies to the elements ... and on! The book was recommended to me. I now see why!

3.0 out of 5 stars In a very readable and user-friendly style, this book offers many suggestions for health and healing, August 6, 2008

By 

D. Benor - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nine Ways to Body Wisdom (Paperback)

In a very readable and user-friendly style, this unusual book offers many suggestions for health and healing within the frameworks of Chinese medicine, augmented with other complementary/ alternative therapies. For instance, in Chinese medicine various elements and organs are associated with emotions. The Earth Element is linked with worry or sympathy; Wood Element with frustration and anger; Fire Element with laughter and joy; Water Element with fear; and Metal Element with grief. Each of us has natural traits and characteristics that incline us towards the spectrum that is typical for one of these elements. Harper provides a questionnaire that allows readers to identify their element.

... There are five emotions, which are connected to the five elements and to the maor yin organs (the liver, heart, spleen, lungs and kidneys). Anger relates to the liver, you to the heart, pensiveness to the spleen, grief to the lungs and fear to the kidneys. Extremes of emotions can have a negative impact on the organs, especially when they are intense or have been suppressed for some time, just as an imbalanced organ can have a profound effect on the state of our emotions. (p. 3)

Life rhythms are important in Chinese medicine because each organ has a two-hour period during the day or night when it is at its maximal activity and greater sensitivity to treatment. Various foods support various organs and energetic processes. Harper simplifies this complex series of relationships with tables that help to identify the various elements related to organs and feelings and their special times of peak energetic activity. Detailed lists of approaches that can help with problems of each organ - as it is associated with its particular Element - help to identify ways for healing. What I find particularly helpful is the attention to both physical and psychological issues that are often interlinked.

Harper's nine ways to understand and deal with health issues include: nutrition, herbs and spices, exercise, reflexology, acupressure, aromatherapy, flower remedies, affirmations, and visualizations/ meditations. While the index is amply detailed, I found that by using the table of contents I was able to identify which organs are associated with which elements - within the frameworks of Harper's discussion - and then explore which of the nine approaches could be helpful for problems with that organ.

This is a rich feast for therapists, augmented with helpful illustrations, resources and references. Those with little familiarity with complementary/ alternative healing may find the wealth of details a bit overwhelming. Patience and persistence, however, may lead readers to remedies and therapies that are helpful and safe.