Health and Healing: The Philosophy of Integrative Medicine

This book does include reference, in a rather mislabeled manner, to naturopathy's central premise, the science-ejected sectarian belief of vitalism [a 'purposeful life spirit bioagency'], per: "naturopaths also believe in the vital natural force, the healing power of nature, the medicatrix vis naturae of Hippocrates [p.138...e.g.] Hahnemann worked out a precise method of diluting [homeopathic] remedies to [supposedly] maximize their effectiveness [...he claimed] when properly diluted, the more effective it will be at simulating the body's vital forces to react against disease [...Hahnemann wrote] 'homeopathic dynamatizations are processes [...wherein] the crude substance [...is] excited and enabled to act spiritually (dynamically) upon the vital forces' [p.018]." Of course, to label the obviously 'naturopathic homeopathic supernatural' [see Pizzorno ISBN 0761504338, 1996; p.024 per "life force (or spirit)"] "natural" -- to conflate the natural and the supernatural -- is quite nonsensical. It is also the M.O. of many CAMs. Weil, coincidentally, wrote a blurb for that back of that Pizzorno book stating: "Total Wellness offers a wealth of useful information about the prevention and treatment of disease by natural methods that support the intrinsic healing mechanisms of the human body. Patient's and practitioners alike can benefit from the practical wisdom compiled in these pages." Hmmm: the supernatural is natural, figmentations are practical... Caveat emptor [this shouldn't have to be said about medicine]. -r.c.

I have known and a been friend and colleague with Dr. Weil, so I am biased. But when I read this book when it was first released in the 1980's I couldn't put it down. And I find myself returning to it often and recommending it to my patients that are new to integrative medical approaches. In this book, Dr. Weil shares his wealth of personal experience and professional wisdom which tells the story and history which led to the even greater of his works to follow. I do not miss anything he writes, but this one is especially favorite for the information about the history of the world's journey for health and healing.

Dr. Weil presents an objective view of many healing modalities that may be familar to most Americans. He includes allopathic (traditional Western) medicine, homeopathic, naturopathic, osteopathic, and chiropractic paths; acupunction, holistic medicine, shamanism/mind cures/faith healing, and psychic healing. He not only presents assets and disadvantages of each modality, but also presents some theories on why any course of treatment works. He explores the role of faith and the patient's belief in the treatment as a positive contributor to the effectiveness of the treatment. He describes the "placebo effect", where people are cured of illness by drugs that have no biological affect on the illness. He discusses the origins and effectiveness of pharmeceutical drugs and narcotics. Dr. Weil's questioning leads the reader to also question his/her own role in healing and in making appropriate choices in health care. His treatise does not entirely put down allopathic or alternative medicine, but does put each in its place so the reader is left with a sense of responsibility. It is up to us to decide what we, as persons seeking health, need in terms of treatment and what will choose to place our faith in.

Doctor Weil is a well-known author, so it is possible that this review is already needless for most people. But as long even few interested in medicine both alternative and conventiona missed this book, there's sense in reviewing it. This book is one of the few of its kind that does not play on our medical beliefs but instead respecting our common sense and experience. Thus it is read with respect by both sides of the 'polarized' community of people related to health issues, therefore to all of us. Doctor Weil systematically explains the history of development and the current state of allopathy, weak and strong sides of which he knows as an insider. His review of alternative medical systems is objective -- he convinces and teaches. You can use the book as a reference guide which is rare in alternative medicine. Dr. Weil does not declare the known truths. If he refers to facts then one can be sure that these facts are fresh, true, and play a role in his logical structures. These logical structures have their own esthetical and intellectual value, but are not meant to impress, rather to reach a goal. That goal is to make us think of our own nature and to believe in its huge healing potential.