Herbal Medicine - science embraces tradition: A new insight into ancient Ayurveda [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

Herbal Medicine-Science Embraces Tradition, is designed to provide new insights into the worth of the ancient Indian medicinal system, Ayurveda as it might be integrated with Western medicine. One of the first of its kind, it is well worth reading for those interested in the subject. The authors have attempted to focus on ways in which a more holistic and integrative approach may be evolved within the context of appreciating the limitations of each medical system.
Much of the clinical and pharmacological evidence is based upon the senior author Dr. Narendra Singh's extensive research and practice at King George's Medical College and as Director of the International Institute of Herbal Medicine in Lucknow. His colleague, Dr. Marilena Gilca has added her perspective as a clinical biochemist to the integration of these studies and those conducted elsewhere.
The book is divided into three parts. The first describes the art and science behind this ancient pharmacopeia and attempts to reconcile the differences between the approach of treatments in this and conventional medicine. The 2nd part describes the content of the herbal formulations used, and studies which provide the therapeutic rationale for their selections in treatment. The 3rd part describes their use in clinical practice according to the systems of the body and compares these with conventional treatments. An appendix describes the Ayurvedic characterization of the herbs.
Since standardization of herbal medicines are clearly relevant to their therapeutic value, and the use of organically grown herbs is preferred by the authors a welcome supplement would be one describing how these plants are grown, harvested and prepared into the Ayurvedic therapeutic products they recommend.

This book offers a great bridge between medical science and Ayurvedic medicine, providing new insight into both approaches to health. It introduces and compares Ayurvedic and allopathic medicine along side each other, allowing for greater insight into the strengths and weaknesses of both. This approach sheds light on how both healing systems can complement each other and be used synergistically for the improvement of health.

It then gives a through and comprehensive overview of herbs and herbal medical treatments backed by research evidence. Each herb is described along with a review of the research data currently available about the herb's potential uses. The book goes on to further includes a great review of disease processes from both allopathic and Ayurvedic viewpoints, discusses various treatment strategies, and offers herbal remedies. Case studies are fun to read and give interesting insight into the utilization of herbal medicines. It is rich with experience and supporting literature. It is an excellent book for anyone interested in herbal medicine, Ayurveda, curing disease, and promoting health and wellbeing.

I can't pretend to give a neutral, unbiased review of Herbal Medicine - Science Embraces Tradition, but I would like to offer a bit of an inside perspective. Dr. Narendra Singh has been my mentor in Ayurvedic medicine, a research colleague and good friend for well over a dozen years, both during my annual trips to India and in our collaborative projects while I am at home in Canada. I have always found him to be a man of impeccable integrity, honest and outspoken (almost to a fault!), and amazingly knowledgeable regarding India's rich scientific heritage -- often illustrated with a seemingly endless supply of fascinating examples and anecdotes. Dr. Singh has not only been a pioneer in bringing modern research methods to traditional Ayurvedic medicine, he has spent decades integrating his groundbreaking herbal research with modern evidence-based allopathic treatment modalities. His clinical experience in this regard is likely unrivaled anywhere in the world. He is indeed a national treasure. Furthermore, I have worked with co-author Dr. Marilena Gilca on several projects, and am very impressed with her knowledge and scientific rigour. I also know the other members of the Institute's research team. I can't imagine them, working together, not producing a work of great merit--and I haven't been disappointed!

Ancient cultures around the world have tended toward holistic concepts of health, emphasizing overall equilibrium and harmony within a broad, biological, social lifestyle and spiritual context, relying largely on natural plant and mineral medicines. India's Ayurvedic medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine are the most prominent of such systems In contrast, modern Western medicine evolved from its early Greek roots to emphasize the relative isolation and out-of-context analysis of separate physical components and disorders of the body, with primary focus on the treatment of specific aspects of disease, generally relying on isolated compounds or synthetic drugs and, more recently, sophisticated surgical and other `high tech' diagnostic and remedial procedures. Impressive methods have been developed for handling emergency physical crises, preventing many infectious conditions, and curing a wide variety of communicable diseases. However, the traditionally fragmented approach of Western medical science has not been able to cope with the growing array of chronic degenerative environmental, lifestyle and stress-related physical and mental disorders that plague modern society - and are now emerging as crises in developing nations worldwide.

The West is clearly in the midst of a major paradigm shift away from its primarily reactive disease-oriented therapeutic and preventative system, managed by allopathic medical personnel, to a more holistic, multidisciplinary, pro-active, public health promotion perspective, increasingly open to alternative and complementary approaches. India's Ayurvedic medicine has much to offer in these areas. Herbal Medicine - Science Embraces Tradition is a major milestone in facilitating an effective integration of ancient traditional and modern approaches in support of optimal health and well-being.

Ralph D. Miller, Ph.D., is a fellow of the International Society for Herbal Medicine and founder of The Green Isle Enterprise, which is devoted to holistic health, psychology and education. Dr. Miller is a former Director of Research for the Canadian National Department of Health and Welfare.