Asian Health Secrets: The Complete Guide to Asian Herbal Medicine (Paperback)

by Letha Hadady (Author) "I was born into a matriarchy..." (more)
Key Phrases: digestive chi, internal cold symptoms, internal heat symptoms, Xiao Yao Wan, Yunnan Paiyao, Health Concerns (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
This comprehensive work by an acupuncturist and herbalist brings the ancient knowledge of Chinese, Indian, and Tibetan herbal medicine to Westerners. Tools for self-diagnosis emphasize treating the person, rather than the illness, to ensure a healthy harmony of body, mind, and spirit. Herbs are recommended for a gamut of problems, ranging from eating disorders, arthritis, and PMS to sexual dysfunction and depression. Hadady tells how to prepare herbal remedies at home but also includes mail-order sources. A cross reference of herb names to their Chinese names and a general index and herb index are provided. This thorough volume is recommended as a definitive resource on Asian herbal medicine for popular alternative medicine collections. (Indexes not seen.)?Nancy Myers, Univ. of South Dakota Lib., Vermillion
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
Drawing on her own experience as well as dozens of case histories and the results of questionnaires, the author outlines safe, herbal remedies for problems ranging from colds, headaches, and insomnia to sexual dysfunction. Original. 25,000 first printing."

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Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (January 27, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609801058
• ISBN-13: 978-0609801055
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #139,953 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A top pick book for Asian herbal medicine, December 8, 2005

By	A Reader "K. Wong" (VA) - See all my reviews

Asian Health Secrets by Letha Hadady, D.Ac., was recommended to me by an elder "kung fu brother" when I attended a very traditional kung fu school in Chinatown, NY. I knew very little of Asian medicinal theory so, I started with a fairly clean slate and couldn't have asked for a better foundation for learning about this rich tradition. The fact that His Holiness the Dalai Lama wrote the foreword speaks volumes in and of itself.

The book is written in a conversational manner that serves to gently ease the reader into learning about the Asian health perspective. Hadady, an absolute expert in this field, is also a talented teacher - she effectively conveys the complexities of Asian herbal medicine so that anyone who would read this book would "get it". She describes what an Asian herb is and how everything we consume, in addition to elements in our environment, act upon our energy, or chi (which she clearly explains as well). She addresses foods, herbs, and teas and explains in the text and in easy to read tables their energy and effect on the person and mind.

She explains Asian elements and humors and how they are expressed through our physical and mental health. There is also a fantastic cleansing program that is flexible in the amount of time and degree of dedication you wish to do it with. The program uses foods that are easily obtainable and suggestions for herbal products that are easy to get at a Chinese herb shop or through one of the suppliers listed in the back of the book (if you don't have the fortune of a local Chinatown). She also refers to remedies that are available at most health food stores.

She devotes a chapter to reading the tongue (an Asian method of diagnosis which I have personally found is uncanny in its accuracy). There are also chapters about weight loss, arthritis, headaches and toothaches, circulation, allergies, colds & flu, beauty, women's health (including PMS, menstruation, birth, menopause), energy, insomnia, sexuality, ginseng, depression and mental clarity among others.

Throughout the book, there are questionnaires so that you can find out what state your energy is in as it relates to the topic you're reading about. While the questionnaires are optional, they bring it all together because you can see how the material applies to you personally. You also begin to see how it applies to others - it's eye opening, really.

I have studied/read this book twice and refer to it all the time. I've also gone through all the questionnaires and am not too bad at figuring out which part of me is suffering and treating myself, whether through meals or herbs (including western herbs such as basil or Chinese herbal remedies). You'll understand why it's more than just traditional to eat things like salad in the summer and pumpkin pie with cloves and nutmeg in the fall.

I highly recommend this book because it's helped my family and me so much. They say that Asian doctors are held in high esteem not in the number of patients they treat but because their patients are healthy. Right on. I also recommend Letha Hadady's film, Asian Health Secrets (ISBN: 1-58350-240-8) where she goes to Chinatown, NY and visits vegetable vendors, restaurants and herb shops. She shows the viewer Chinese patent remedies and explains what they do which is a lovely compliment to this book. You can also tell from her beauty and radiant healthy presence that what she's doing works.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Information that DRAMATICALLY improves health in all ways., November 29, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Asian Health Secrets: The Complete Guide to Asian Herbal Medicine (Hardcover)

Asian Health Secrets has taken ALL of the struggle out of getting and staying healthy. It outlines how to get in top notch physical health (and this in turn improves emotional, spiritual and mental health as well). The author describes how to get individual energy flowing as opposed to "being stuck" to achieve greater balance, energy and therefore, enhanced health. The book's basic health information is natural, doesn't cost a thing and is mainly a matter of using the teas, foods and herbs and spices in your kitchen with AWARENESS of what you're doing (ie, which herbs do what functions and paying attention to your individual needs based on your body type). Following the author's guidance, I have no doubt I am preventing dis-ease as well since the book teaches how to make your body function smoothly -in balance-(ie, good digestion, circulation, etc). I am a diabetic and since utilizing many concepts in this book, my blood sugar readings have been normal to low. In fact, I've been able to decrease the amount of insulin I take (and hope to get off of it completely one day). I've achieved and maintained my ideal weight with ease. I used to crave sweets and fats all the time, making it VERY difficult to get normal blood sugar readings; however, since learning how to satisfy my body's needs, I don't have the cravings anymore! I don't eat that much diffently - I just know what combinations of food to eat now and know to use herbs, spices and teas more often. I feel TREMENDOUSLY energetic, know how to relieve my back from aching (previous chronic pain is now only experienced once in awhile), know how to clear up acne (I have clear skin for the first time since puberty!), know how to diminish wrinkles, prevent indigestion and even how to prevent headaches. I used to suffer from chronic sinus headaches all fall and winter and my mother used to suffer from migraines. Neither of us has had one single headache since utilizing this book's concepts. Don't let the size of the book deter you in any way. The first few chapters outline the basic information and it is in very easy to read language. I want everyone to feel as good as I do. This is the reason why I'm so happy to share what I've experienced as a result of reading the book. I look around now and wonder sometimes why everyone else seems to be in such a bad mood all the time and then I realize it's simply me in such a GREAT mood most of the time. It's so much easier to put into practice my philosophy of believing everything happens for a good purpose when I'm feeling so good inside no matter what life events are transpiring around me. I can't thank Letha Hadady enough for taking the time and energy to share her wealth of excellent and responsibly-given knowledge with the rest of us. I hope you take advantage of this PRECIOUS find of a book. It can and will change your life for the better - I guarantee it!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great book!, April 5, 2004

By A Customer

Reading through the other reviews I have trouble seeing the confusion. It was stated that you had to mail order alot of the things in this book, but I don't find that to be true. I live in a very very small southern town, and I just go to my local oriental market. This book actually made me seek that place out, and become aquainted with it. Now I go there atleast once a week!

If you are thinking about getting this book, you are already looking for alternatives, and I don't think you would be opposed to finding new markets in your town to shop at. What Letha Hadady has put together here is a fantastic book that takes you through a diagnosis process before giving you advice on what to take. This alone makes this book stand out above all others, because so many herbal remedy books list symptoms and cures. This book helps you become aware of your bodies processes, and makes you pay attention to the inner workings of yourself. The stories of clients are great, and really make you understand how some of these topics are in practice.

I have had this book for going on 9 years now, and I use it frequently. It is sitting beside me right now. I too have been able to lose all of my problem body fat and maintain a healthy diet just from the cleansing program in this book. I have given so many away as presents, and made so many people buy it for themselves, that at times I feel that I should get a comission. This book is great for the beginner and even those experienced in herbal medicines/traditional oriental medicine. Letha is truly a great teacher because while there may be other books on the market that contain the same information, she explains it in a way that is accessible to everyone. The treatments listed in this book work!