The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine [Paperback]

Dr. Vasant Lad (Author), Dr. David Frawley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 25, 1986

Guide to the use of herbs from Ayurvedic perspective. How to balance your constitution and practice self-healing.

Product Details

• Paperback: 251 pages
• Publisher: Lotus Press (January 25, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0941524248
• ISBN-13: 978-0941524247
• Product Dimensions: 0.4 x 0.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,639 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #76 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Yoga

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good info on Ayurveda; Bad info on herbs, March 12, 2009

By 

R. Wolin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine (Paperback)

I enjoyed the author's description of basic Ayurvedic Medicine (TAM) principles and philosophy; as for the monographs of herbs and their actions not so much. I own the 2nd ed. and found many problems with the Materia Medica of the book. When the authors describe Basil (Ocinum spp.)they misrepresent the plant as Tulsi which is actually Holy Basil (Ocinum Sanctum)- one of the most used plants in TAM; the adaptogenic qualities of Tulsi are not present in other types of Basil. Another misrepresentation is Hibiscus (Hibiscus Rosa-Sinesis) for which they use the wrong species of plant (actually Hibiscus sabdariffa) and the wrong part of the plant used (the flower is not used as the book says but the calyx); Wikipedia also states the Hibiscus Rosa-Sinesis flower is used to shine shoes and in devotions to the god Devi, not specifically for beverages as the Hibiscus sabdariffa.
Yes I did like the descriptions of TAM doshas and philosophy but if you wish to try the herbs mentioned in the book I recommend finding another book like those by Tillotson, Murray, Pizzarno, Gladstar, Hoffman or even Penny C. Royal for more dependable herbal monographs.

36 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Yoga of Herbs, December 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine (Paperback)

I found this book far more useful in the initial stages of my interest in Ayurveda, but since that time find much of the material in the book questionable and unsubstantiated. How for example, do the authors obtain the energetics for western herbs? The reader should be reminded that the designation of energetic possibilities of medicinal plants on the subcontinent occured over hundreds, if not thousands of years. Thus, much of the energetic designations in this book seem to be based on no more than the inclinations of the authors. My experience is that while the energetics seem well rationalized, they don't always pan out. Thus, a good introductory book, but take it with a grain of 'saindhava'...

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource, February 16, 2004

By 

Zen Druid (Aloha, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine (Paperback)

An excellent guide to Ayurvedic medical applications of herbs. This book includes a good introduction to Ayurvedic principles, management of the doshas and good summary charts for over 270 as well as detailed sections on 108 of the most common herbs and special Oriental herbs. Invaluable for the herbalist interested in Ayurveda.