Authoritative books on complementary and alternative health, Tai Chi, Qigong and ancient wisdom traditions for health, wellbeing, and professional and personal development.
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For thousands of years fragrance has been used, across many varied cultures, for altering mental and emotional states, and as part of spiritual practice. This book explores the impact of fragrance on the psyche from biological, anthropological, perfumery and aromatherapy viewpoints.
Beginning with an exploration of our olfactory system and a discussion of the language of odour, the book examines the ways in which fragrance can influence our perceptions and experiences. It introduces us to a broad range of fragrance types – woody, resinous, spicy, herbaceous, agrestic, floral and citrus, as well as the attars that form part of Unani Tibb medicine. Traditional and contemporary uses and the mood-enhancing properties of fragrance types are presented. The book then provides an overview of the theoretical and philosophical frameworks that have been used to analyse how and why we choose fragrance. Finally readers are given guidance on how to cultivate their olfactory palate, which reveals a new dimension in the use of fragrance to enhance wellbeing.
This book offers a wealth of knowledge on plant aromatics and the powerful influence of fragrance on wellbeing. It will be of particular interest to aromatherapists, perfumers, psychotherapists, ethnobotanists and anthropologists.
Keyword: aromatherapy
Rather than simply a different version of western medical practice, acupuncture, as the author of this thoughtful and challenging book shows, is based on a different philosophy and leads down directly into the deepest areas of human experience. Based on many years as a five element practitioner, Nora Franglen explores the way in which the practice of acupuncture enlarges the experience and understanding of the practitioner. She shares, through case study and reflection, some of the larger questions and insights that emerge from a dedicated approach to this form of healing work.
Her insights and astute observations will encourage acupuncturists of any style as well as other therapists to reflect on their own practices, their relationships with their patients, and their fears. They also shed further light on the expression of the five elements within us all.
Keywords: acupuncture, Chinese medicine, five elements, traditional Chinese medicine
Nora Franglen's straightforward, accessible guide introduces this ancient Chinese system of medicine. She briefly covers its history and explores the philosophy behind it, explaining how it can benefit the reader personally by addressing specific health needs and general well-being. Five element acupuncture treats the whole person by accessing the natural energy channels each of us possess and correcting the imbalances between our five elements to restore both physical and mental wellbeing. With case studies of patients throughout, the guide provides immediate insight into how an acupuncturist diagnoses and treats patients, looking at the importance of each of the five elements in turn, and how they relate to each other.
This deceptively simple guide will help anyone interested in learning about the benefits and traditions of five element acupuncture, five element theory or Chinese medicine in general. It will be of particular interest to students as well as a great resource for practitioners to recommend to patients.
Keywords: acupuncture, Chinese medicine, five elements, traditional Chinese medicine
The five elements – Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water – are fundamental to Chinese medicine and metaphysics, but it can be difficult to get beyond the purely intellectual level of understanding. This rich book gets to the heart of five element theory, and offers passionate reflections on the spirit of each element, and the practice of five element acupuncture.
The author provides accessible accounts of each element, explaining what it looks like, how it presents in an individual's characteristics, how it can become unbalanced and how treatment might be approached to restore balance. With profiles of various well-known figures, including David Beckham and Elvis Presley, the author explores what it means to live in harmony as a unique being and how the five elements help shape and cultivate our body and soul. The book explains how Chinese physicians understand and diagnose their patients and offers invaluable insights into how to practise five element acupuncture effectively.
A valuable and thoughtful addition to any library, this book will be of particular interest to acupuncturists, practitioners and students of complementary medicine as well as anyone contemplating Chinese medicine as a treatment option or interested more generally in human psychology.
Keywords: acupuncture, Chinese medicine, five elements, traditional Chinese medicine
Scent is often used to accompany meditation but is rarely the focus of it. This card set, which brings together ancient and contemporary understanding of the influence of aromatics on our wellbeing, is an introduction to meditating on scent and discovering the physical, emotional and spiritual benefits of beginning your own sensory journey.
'A Sensory Journey' guides and informs scent meditations. By meditating on the fragrance itself, rather than using it as an adjunct to other meditation rituals (through burning incense or scented candles), fragrance can go beyond merely enhancing or modifying our moods and become a key means to personal and spiritual growth. These cards, and the accompanying booklet and sensory map, explore different fragrances and make the benefits of scent meditation accessible to all. Each of the 24 cards, which are arranged in botanical groupings, features a scent description, an image of the botanical source, and inspirational words about the scent's evocative influence to help guide meditation.
This unique and accessible card set is perfect for anyone interested in meditation, personal growth and the use of fragrance to enhance wellbeing.
Keywords: aromatherapy, complementary medicine, essential oils, meditation, mindfulness
Singing Dragon is an imprint of Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Jessica Kingsley Publishers is a limited company registered in England. Registered number: 2073602. VAT Reg. No: 455 2134 66.
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