In this audiobook course on health and wellness, Andrew
Weil sets out his ideas on what are often called "complementary" or
"alternative" approaches to medicine. The most compelling theme here is the need to treat the whole
person and the limitations of standard medical approaches, which tend to treat
the disease and ignore the person. Weil
argues for the importance of the link between mind and body and the ways that
mental and emotional problems can affect a person’s physical health. He places strong emphasis on the ways that
stress can be bad for one’s health, and he argues for the importance of relaxation
in maintaining health. More
controversially, he argues that hypnosis can be a very effective way to heal
people in some cases. He also argues
that herbal and homeopathic medicine has been neglected by western medicine,
and that these are often very helpful ways to enhance the body’s ability to
heal itself.

Weil is a convincing and comforting advocate for his
views. He explains his ideas in straightforward
language using many examples from his own medical practice. He often refers to recent scientific
research that supports his view, and he criticizes the medical establishment
for its narrow views. His is also
occasionally critical of some "new age" thinking and the bad recommendations
of some alternative medicine. For most
of the course, however, his approach is positive and inspiring. Weil does not make overblown claims that
alternative therapy is capable of solving all one’s medical problems, and he
generally suggests using complementary approaches in conjunction with standard
medical solutions. It would be rash to
advocate that people with severe and chronic medical problems should just ditch
their medication, but it is sensible to inquire into a variety of solutions to
one’s problems.

Weil addresses many cases of mental disorders. For example, he relates the case of a
patient who had suffered frequent panic attacks. The man had become addicted to Valium as a way to reduce the
symptoms. Weil recommended that the man
use breathing control techniques to gain control over his feelings and to avoid
panic attacks, and over a period of several years, the man eventually was able
to discontinue taking the Valium.

All through the course, Weil makes many practical
and simple suggestions, from having flowers in one’s house and avoiding people
who make one feel bad, to changing one’s diet and trying becoming more involved
in helping other people. Highly
recommended.

Links:

·         
Andrew Weil website.

·         
Sounds True website.

·         
Review of The
Healthy Kitchen by Andrew Weil and Rosie Daley

·         
Review of Integrative
Medicine: An Introduction to the Art and Science of Healing, by Andrew Weil
MD with the Executive Director and the Fellows of the University of Arizona
Program in Integrative Medicine

© 2003 Christian Perring. All rights reserved.

Christian
Perring, Ph.D., is Chair of the Philosophy Department at Dowling College,
Long Island, and editor of Metapsychology Online Review. His main
research is on philosophical issues in medicine, psychiatry and psychology.

Categories: MentalHealth, General, SelfHelp