Customer Reviews

The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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'...

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.

This is the best, bar none. It goes into detail with each herb, telling us the energetics of the herbs, in terms of ayurveda-the oldest system of popular standardized medicine in the world. Ayurveda literally means science of life. There is indepth information on the physical and psychological effects of each herb. It even tells you how the herbs relate to the chakras. Dr. Vasant Lad is the countrys' leading authority on Ayurveda (besides Deepak Chopra)and he got together with David Frawley-a very learned Vedic scholar to write this book. Together they make magic happen. This book is more than worth the money .

a simple approach to understanding the importance of what and how we eat in relation to our daily lives. A worthy investment for a lifetime of use.

This is one of my favorite herbals. It talks about the energetic properties of western, chinese and Ayurvedic herbs from the perspective of Ayurveda. It is especially valuable for those who practice Yoga. Every time I pick the book up I learn more. It is great.

Before I read this book I tried Echinacea for an illness because everyone knows it boosts immune system functioning. Well, not for me. This book cleared up alot of questions for me - there are herbs that are good for different body types - it explains it all simply & clearly.

Being a manufacture of ayurvedic medicine I highly recommend this book as a very good source for understanding the properties of herbs according to ayurvedic principals.

The most inclusive and easy to use western/ayurvedic herb book around!!!!! A+

"The Yoga of Herbs," is a practical opus, assisting one to understand how uncomplicated herbal self-help and self-healing can be. Further, this text also assists the serious student in a bit of astrology to understand the connection of herbs to various houses and elements of the zodiac houses which are fire, earth-water, air-either, to bring the "tridoshas" (the three body types-compositions we all have which must be in delicate balance for whole health), which is in fact the foundation of all spiritual traditions. Additionally, Vasant Lad provides the Sanskrit, for each herb for those who want to learn the parallel connection between the Ayurvedic Indian Eastern Tradition and the Western Tradition of healing. Thank you greatly Vasant Lad for this wonderful healing opus!!!!!!