Lad, director of an Ayurvedic educational institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico, refers to Ayurveda as "the art of daily living in harmony with the laws of nature." This comprehensive and easy-to-use guide can be considered the Ayurvedic counterpart to a conventional home medical handbook. Parts 1 and 2 present the philosophy, principles, and therapies of this 5,000-year-old Indian medical system. The therapies include diet, herbs, exercise and yoga, oil massage, breathing techniques, meditation, and such adjuncts as sound, color, and aromatherapy. Part 3, fully one-half of the guide, is an encyclopedia of remedies organized in an AZ format by symptom or condition; see references provide adequate access to the more than 100 common ailments. Numerous sidebars throughout the text provide additional information or precautions. The guide closes with line drawings of yoga postures, a glossary, resources, and further reading.
--Penny Spokes