Autumn bookshelf

BOOKSHELF: Autumn reading

Our pick of the latest titles to entertain and educate…

Plant-based Nutrition in Clinical Practice

Editors Dr. Zandra Kassam, Dr, Shireen Kassam and Registered Dietician Lisa Simon, have produced an impressive evidence-based guide to the uses, benefits and practical application of a plant-based diet. The book is designed for all health professionals, taking both a holistic and a systems-based (heart, respiratory system, diabetes, kidneys, liver, gut) approach. The book draws on the University of Winchester’s renowned Plant-based nutrition course. They make a compelling case for shifting to plant-based eating, both for the sake of individual health and also for the benefit of the planet.

Transforming Trauma

Rates of post-traumatic stress disorder the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been increasing as diagnoses become more common. Often the associated mental health issues are treated with pharmaceuticals. Experienced naturopathic doctor, Heather Herington who has 30 years of experience of working with survivors of traumatic events in Canada and the US, believes that a pharmaceuticalfree approach is more effective. Here, she outlines her approach which includes returning the body’s biochemistry to balance with natural medicine (lifestyle, nutrition, homeopathy and botanicals) and allowing survivors to tell or reframe their personal story through talking therapies and the creative arts solutions to regain control of their lives.

The Power of Switchwords

Most of us will be familiar with the power of selflimiting thoughts, either in ourselves, our clients or those around us, so Franziska Krattinger’s book makes interesting reading. She argues that certain words, called switchwords, have a stronger influence on our subconscious and energy fields. By using them intentionally, she believes you can harness the power of the Law of Attraction to reprogram your reality and manifest your desires. For each of her 67 switchwords, she suggests using repetition, sometimes with a certain rhythm, as well as word combinations for specific goals and tips and tricks to succeed.

Sane Asylums

This is a strangely fascinating book from Jerry M. Kantor, which looks at the use of homeopathic treatments in US psychiatric asylums from the 1870s up to 1920. A century later, we tend to forget, or are perhaps encouraged to forget, that homeopathy was once a much more mainstream therapy than it is now. Kantor points out that there were over a hundred homeopathic hospitals in the USA, more than a thousand pharmacies and 22 homeopathic medical schools.

Kantor examines the records from New York’s Middletown State Homeopathic Hospital for the Insane which utilised a treatment regime with thousands of successful outcomes. This was based on KIrkbride’s moral treatment principles nutrition and homeopathic prescriptions.

The Virus and The Host

We’ve all learned rather a lot about viruses over the past few years. Naturopathic Doctor Chris Chlebowski believes we can take control of our health and decrease susceptibility to infectious viral disease before it strikes.

The book demonstrates how robust health, good immunity, low inflammation, low toxic burden and freedom from stealth infection and chronic disease is our best defence against infectious viral disease. There are no quick fixes, rather it’s an approach based on taking better care of our health before disaster strikes: improving our diets, losing weight, exercising and managing stress.

The book serves as a great introduction to the emerging science on the virome as well as how toxic exposure, chronic

inflammation, stealth infections and chronic diseases interact and predispose us to poor outcomes from acute viral infection.

The fatigue book

Lydia Rolley’s The Fatigue Book is an engaging and charmingly illustrated practical guide to managing chronic fatigue. The combination of proven tips for fatigue management tips, combined with a self-management approach that applies the principles of Pacing and Activity Management as recommended by the latest NICE guidelines, make it ideal for anyone suffering from Long Covid, CFS or ME. What’s particularly good is the all-encompassing holistic approach that recognises differing physical, mental and emotional/spiritual needs of individual.

Essential oils for Dental Health

Aromatherapy expert Karin OpitzKreher and holistic dentist Jutta Schreiber explore the benefits of and best methods of use for well-known dental care oils such as peppermint, tea-tree, and clove as well as the lesser known oral benefits of oils like cinnamon, manuka, and oregano.

They explain how daily use of essential oils in an oral care routine supports the alkaline-acid balance inside the mouth, helping to create an ideal environment for healthy teeth, good breath, and preventing infections. Different techniques for safe internal and external use are presented, including oil pulling, diluting essential oils in a carrier oil, trigger point and reflexology massage, and diffusion in an aroma lamp. The authors include recommended oil mixtures targeted to alleviate specific dental and oral ailments, such as periodontitis, oral herpes, ulcers, bad breath, teeth grinding, and toothache.

Findhorn Spirit Oracle Cards

This new oracle deck from Swan Treasure came to life in the gardens and sanctuaries of the wellknown Findhorn Foundation on the coast of Scotland’s Moray Firth.

The cards were created through a special technique called touch-drawing, whereby the images are allowed to appear from her hands onto paper, trusting the powerful energy that asked to be made visible.

Each card depicts a spirit being as they chose to reveal themselves, in order to pass on wisdom to help us navigate these times of transition. The cards function as energy activators and, through their messages and energies, offer support, companionship, and practical guidance that can be applied to the challenges of daily life. They can also assist us in establishing and deepening a partnership with the divine.

Winterseer Animal Oracle Deck

Siolo Thompson’s charming illustrations make this a deck to treasure, drawing on Norse and Celtic mythology as a foundation for transmitting the ancient wisdom of the animal kingdom. The accompanying guidebook provides divinatory insight into 56 animals all from northern climes, from including salmon, magpie, badger and bear.

The deck comes from publishers Llewellyn Worldwide, who offer an enormous range of tarot cards and divination decks to suit all tastes.

Melissa officinalis - The Initiation Plant of The Ancient Greek Bee Shamanesses: And The Essential Oil of Everyday Miracles

Let’s start with a confession. Since the author, Elizabeth Ashley, is a regular columnist with the magazine and a sheer delight to know and work with, there would be a temptation to give her latest book a good review even if it were a bit disappointing. Luckily, it’s a really interesting and well-researched piece of writing, so we have no problem adding it to our recommendations. Keen aromatherapists will be familiar with Melissa Officinalis, or Lemon Balm, which is used for a host of complaints, including depression and menstrual problems. This book takes us beyond aromatherapy and into what Elizabeth calls aromamythology, looking into the history, lore and traditions associated with the plant from the ancient world through to the medieval period. This is centred on medieval herbals which mentioned that priestesses of the ancient Greek goddess, Demeter, were also known as Melissae. These were bee and womb shamans who worshipped female deities as aspects of the insect world. It’s a skilful blend of myths and ancient wisdom with modern science, all told in Elizabeth’s personal and readable style. Available from Amazon. n