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Summary: Information that DRAMATICALLY improves health in all ways.
Review: 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!
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Summary: New Frontiers
Review: I had the very good fortune to meet Letha in SoHo a few months ago for her guided tour of the herbal markets in neighboring Chinatown. She radiated with wisdom and was most informative on the huge and complex subject of Asian medicine. I was honored to finally meet her, as her book Asian Health Secrets, had helped transform my health three years ago.The book was given to me by a close friend in Phoenix who had witnessed my suffering with chronic fatigue syndrome. I had been to many Western MD's who prescribed anything from Prozac to muscle relaxers. Nothing worked. I was told many times, my illness was in my head. But I knew better. As a last resort I read Letha's book and followed her advice. I also started yoga. Within six months my body had healed. Of course I now have a special affection for the book, which started my personal transformation. I have recommended it to many friends. It is an excellent read, informative and addresses many health concerns of men and women. It is wonderful that there are alternative ways of looking at health, that often provide better and more lasting results than the standard Western model. Thank you Letha, for a wonderful book!
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Summary: A highly respected book in its field
Review: I was looking for medical advice. This was not the book to buy. W/so many name brands that she recommends for various aliments, this book is a scare. Simply because w/out the guidance of a real Health Care professional many will go & get the very pills that she states will cure you of whatever ails you. It takes many years to become a really good Acupuncturist and herbology is such an art. To be good in herbs, you have got to be gifted in addition to it being a real science. I tried some of the people she recommended in her resources guide & regretted it. If you need real help, get it from the pros. Self healing is fine, I'm all for it. But if you have got real problems, get real help & forget charts & taking questionnaires. An Acupuncturist is a Medical Doctor. Until that is recognized by the American Western mindset, many will think that they can just pop a pill & get well. It don't work like that. To maintain one's health is your 1st priority in life. Everything is secondary. This book is filled w/easy remedies that don't work. I tried them. I had to go to licensed people to finally get better. This book is on the par w/popular astrology, generalized for mass consumption. The Asians do not view Health & Healing the way the Western mind does. They start from the cradle thinking about what is healthy for your body. They are weaned on this before they can speak. It starts w/their mother. Their diet is vastly different from ours. They eat foods medicinally, not to satisfy a sweet tooth or assuage a craving or a feeling. They eat for their health. & until we in the West realize this, all the feng shui symbols & pill taking is utter rubbish. You have got to put real sweat into health regeneration, every day of your life, for the rest of your life. The sign of a good Acupuncturist is not about how many sick people come to see him but the amount of healthy ones that do come. & quite frankly, a lot of diseases start in the mind. By the time your body is exhibiting exterior signs of disease, it already has a well worn route in your body. What we ingest, whether it is w/our mouths, (the food we eat) our hearts (emotional backdrop) or our minds (what we read) has an effect on us. Their view of life is different. An Acupuncturist treats you on a whole level. All of your parts. Not just the ailing parts. You would not read a book about epilepsy if you thought you had it, you would go to a professional & then read up about it in an encyclopedia to get some concrete facts of the treatment etc... Do the same w/your health.
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Summary: Excellent resource for helping to restore balance
Review: One of the best things about this book was its attention to the many ways we can make positive, healthy changes in our whole lives, not just in diet. The cleansing diet it tells about is wonderful. My whole family went on this diet for 3 weeks. I ate all of the natural, wholesome food that I wanted, and still lost 20 lbs, and felt energized and renewed. However, one of the best things about the diet was the fact that it did not ignore the need to do the same kind of work on the mental and spiritual levels. To give a good example, one of the activities in the detox diet (in addition to the healing baths and guided visualizations/meditations) was to clean out your closets of old clothes and give them to charity. Few diet or self-help healing books incorporate such things into their advice and programs, but they are equally important for success. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the use of diet, herbs, and other healthy lifestyle changes. About the only downside to it is the inability to find some products, if you live in an isolated area like I do, where you have no access to many of the ingredients the book mentions to use. This does not make it impossible to do the diets or anything, just restricts your choices of the things you can eat, while still sticking to the diet. It was still very good, though.
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Summary: This is a great book!
Review: 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!
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Summary: Invaluable--extremely well-written, practical, comprehensive
Review: This book is one of the best purchases of any kind that I've made in years. It is what I think a good health book should be --- it offers discrete remedies to individual, immediate health concerns, but it also emphasizes a comprehensive approach to improving overall health. It focuses on improving one's overall health in a systemic way, rather than just suppressing symptoms. I found that it also demystifies Asian medicine (Chinese, Tibetan, Indian, etc.) somewhat. As rooted in Western tradition and science as I am, I've often been confused by discussions of Asian medicine that sounded intangible and mystical. This book discusses everything in the most calm, intelligent, and pragmatic way possible, even providing photographs of common herbal preparations, so that all the information feels concrete and practical. Ms. Hadady is an excellent teacher: like most good teachers, she gives you the information and the methodology to be able to begin analyzing problems on your own. She presents a huge amount of information in way that is warm and readable but not patronizing. She starts from the beginning, laying out all the foundations of Asian medicine, so that each chapter builds on the knowledge you've gained in the previous. Every piece of information is useful and necessary; there is no fluff. It's completely worthwhile to take the time to read the whole book. As big as it is, it's a quick and enjoyable read, and the information is invaluable. I found myself taking notes because I really wanted to absorb everything. I don't think I'm really communicating how good I think this book is. It's truly comprehensive in the best meaning of the word, without being overly complicated or esoteric. It presents alternative methods of diagnosing and treating problems (teas, herbal remedies, nutrition, homeopathic remedies, meditation, etc.), so if one approach doesn't see to be working, you can try others. The appendix lists resources for obtaining supplies and further information. Most importantly, the suggestions are all things that the average person (like me) can actually do. I strongly recommend this book.
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Summary: Complicated? Yes ... Worth It? Yes
Review: This is a book that teaches a whole new approach to health. I read the book and grasped a little - and healed a little. Reread the book and grasped more - and healed more. You get the idea. I have been shown how to heal allergies, headaches, digestive problems, excess weight - to name a few. I would say that it helps to have a professional in your area help clear up a few things as you go thru the book. Also it is helpful to know that winghopfung.com has alot of the herbal supplements needed and a weekly column and question answered by Letha Hadady. I have asked her personal questions using that site as the contact and she has been very gracious in answering them. So - if you are dedicated to healing yourself - this IS THE BOOK.
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Summary: Handy Reference Book
Review: This is a complete introduction to herbal medicine for the novice. Asian Health Secrets offers practical advice on how to use a variety of herbs, teas, extracts, and pills as safe and inexpensive alternatives or complements to Western treatments. In this informative guide to herbal medicine, Letha Hadady, D.Ac., presents simple yet thorough diagnostic methods that will allow readers to evaluate their well-being to prevent illness, boost immune strength, and promote health. Through case studies and step-by-step instructions Hadady reveals ancient cures for a variety of ailments that were, for centuries, known only to Eastern healers. This is the kind of book that becomes both an invaluable reference and a source of enjoyable reading as you browse again and again, picking up valuable nuggets of helpful hints about how to get well and stay well. It's a helpful book but if you're interested in Eastern medicine, you should see a doctor who deals with this type of medicine before self-diagnosing yourself. It's a good book to keep around.
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Summary: Continually Refer To It
Review: We've had this book around for some time now and the whole family picks it up and refers to it as often as we do the Dictionary or Thesaurus. It helps you with a preliminary diagnosis, or find a natural way to heal. Preventative health tips, too. This is one of the first good books like this of its kind. Would also make a nice gift.
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Summary: Good Things Are NEVER Easy!
Review: What a wonderful book! I stumbled upon it in the book store and it's one of my most wise purchases to date. What great information! I bought 5 copies to give as gifts this season.
That said, I've read other reviews that the book is hard to 'get'. What must be understood is that Ms. Hadady is a professional with DECADES of experience. It's VERY hard to distill that kind of experience into the confines of a book. But, her effort is valiant. The result is a book that's chock-full of information on basically EVERY health condition you can possibly have.
It's not only therapeutic it also serves up a good dose of common sense...something people seem to forget when not feeling well.
People who complain about the depth of this book are probably the same people who spend more time deciding what kind of car to buy than they do analyzing what's going into their mouths.
I, too, had questions but a simple email to Ms. Hadady cleared some matters up for me. It's relatively simple, people:
If you don't A-S-K, you don't G-E-T. Stop complaining about not understanding and DO something about not understanding.
This book is a treasure right up there with "Back to Eden" by Jethro Kloss. It's a family staple that should be on everyone's bookshelf or to-buy-tomorrow list.
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