Life Is Your Best Medicine: A Woman's Guide to Health, Healing, and Wholeness at Every Age

by Tieraona Low Dog, Andrew Weil (Foreword)

Everything you do and every choice you make can have a positive and profound impact on your health and well-being. In fact, the science is irrefutable: No drug on the market today can come close to the power of a healthy lifestyle in preventing disease and improving the quality of our lives. Building on this evidence and on her own personal experiences as a medical doctor and holistic healer, Tieraona Low Dog guides women through nearly every facet of their lives, with practical advice and hands-on recommendations for improving their health based on traditional practices and cutting-edge science. From stress-reducing exercises and reenergizing with sleep to the power of forgiveness, nature, and social connectedness, Dr. Low Dog shows how nearly every aspect of your life forms the medicine you need to thrive.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Spirituality, Reference, Medical, Self Help

304 pages, Paperback

First published September 4, 2012

About the author

Tieraona Low Dog, M.D.’s exploration of natural medicine and its role in modern health care began more than 35 years ago as she studied midwifery, herbal medicine; massage therapy and martial arts before earning her medical degree from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. She currently serves as the Fellowship Director for the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine. An internationally recognized expert in the fields of integrative medicine, dietary supplements and women’s health, Dr. Low Dog was appointed by President Bill Clinton to the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy, served as the elected Chair of the US Pharmacopeia Dietary Supplements and Botanicals Expert Information Panel, was appointed to the Scientific Advisory Council for the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book skims the surface of all these dimensions for living your healthiest life. I appreciate the heartfelt advice and need the reminders. It’s not in-depth, not a textbook. It’s just a rounded book of what I already know to be true.

[Dr. Ashori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by the author to explain to the traditional physician or patient how to best use traditional and alternative healing methods to restore health. I enjoy her style and her explanations and her wisdom is quite apparent.
It's an honor for her to share her personal struggles and journey in this book. I can imagine how vulnerable this must be but it's great to connect this deep to another physician's personal life.
Breathing, food, supplements, sleep, and managing illness are topics that make this book an owner's manual for the modern-day human being.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book by a great woman! Tieraona Low Dog taught a class I attended for Women in Leadership about 5 years ago and she made an extremely powerful impact on my understanding of good nutrition and how to take care of myself. This book was a great reminder of many of her key messages. This book focused on how to take care of yourself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually and has a lot of great examples of practical applications. As a plus, this is a very easy and quick read.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Low Dog reminds women (and men) of the importance of nutrition, rest, resiliency, and social interaction to quality of life. She gives practical advice that may appeal to a significant number of people. One of my biggest concerns, however, is that she advocates the consumption of meat and dairy which is not terribly beneficial to health.

[Marta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the retelling of Dr Low Dog's life - from high school droup out, to herbalist to black belt, single mom and doctor. The fact that her biggest step forward came from a Native American discipline of sitting alone for 3 days in the desert with no food or water, is completely fascinating. As a seaker of self knowledge, her story shows she's the real deal.
I almost gave this three stars though, because although book has good information, it was not that interesting to me. For someone who has not had the opportunity or interest before now to read up on herbs, the value of nature, massage, good food and healthy relationships this would be a great place to start. Her abvice is a nice combination of cutting-edge and sensible and her book is easy to read.

[Cora · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is AMAZING. Dr. Low Dog covers just about everything involved in proper self care. The first part of the book is about her own personal history and to me, it validated her qualifications. While this book is mostly geared towards women, I think a lot of it could be applied to men, as well as children. Aside from her medical advice, her style of writing was almost poetic. I plan to re-visit this book often and use it as a reference guide. I highly recommend this book.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is both a reference type book and a narrative of the author's life experiences that are teaching moments. Low Dog's credentials are impressive yet her style of writing is friendly and easy to relate to. This book is divided into 5 sections: Part I, The Medicine of My Life, Part II, Honoring the Body, Part III, Awakening the Senses, Part IV, Listening to Spirit, and Epilogue, Contentment.

[Lindsey Heiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a culmination of different essential oils to use, teas to drink, vitamins to help with many things and how to know which are the best and how important mental well being really is. The importance of omega 3 vitamins is interesting as well as the fact that loneliness has detrimental effects on the body. Her story is very interesting and a great audiobook!

[becky jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth the time

This book provoked some deep thinking and consider ation. I looked forward to reading a chapter each day and letting it resonate. I have heard Dr. Tieraona lecture on four different occasions. She is a well spoken, down to earth and incredibly knowledgeable person who speaks truth.

[June Milner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very grounded person so I loved her down to earth, holistic approach to all aspects of life. I agree with her view point that physical and mental are entertwined when it comes to health. Treating the fundamental cause rather than the symptom is key.

[Lavender Dreamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! A few sections weren't relevant to my way of life but overall, I got a lot out of this book. I highly recommend it and plan to go back through to all the pages I bookmarked and read those again.

[Julieb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good source of common sense resolutions for women's health issues. Lots of links to further information. Recommend this book.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written. Full of information to consider. Very interesting.

[Emily Mellow · Rating 2 out of 5]

She recommends eating seed oils.
Perhaps some of her advice is legit, and her story is interesting, but I didn't make it far before feeling like I didn't want to learn anything she had to teach.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Life is Your Best Medicine by Dr. Low Dog. The book is a helpful guide for women about living a healthier life.

Low Dog has a very interesting background and worked as an herbalist, mid-wife, massage therapist, and finally a doctor. She combines these different points of view with well researched health data that includes a variety of topics. Unlike some books and authors who push some kind of strange new age approach to healing, as a doctor, Low Dog does a great job combining alternative medical approaches with western medical science and research. There is certainly a place for both and Low Dog does a good job marrying them in a useable and helpful way.

I loved the sections on herbs and the five senses. I highly recommend reading those parts if you are pressed for time and want to skip the rest of the book.

A few of her tips are a little goofy. But, she is speaking to a wide audience who has different levels of health and the practice of healthy behavior.

Some of the data she offers on health studies is flooring... Video game violence, city vs. country walks, on and on.

Well worth a skim, or a full on study.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very simply and cleanly written; it is full of useful tips and information for living a healthy life. Yet, this is one of the best books I've read on health and wellbeing because it is much more than that. It is a book to change your perspective on life and wellbeing.

The thing that makes this book so valuable is Dr. Low Dog's life story and her personal experiences. It places everything she says about health into the context of a life. Health is not a set of rules to follow but a whole and abundant life. Dr. Low Dog makes so clear that sickness and stress are not necessarily failure to follow health rules, but rather they show us how we've allowed our lives to become disjointed and they teach us how to reset our priorities.

A very encouraging read for those suffering with an illness and inspiring for those who want to learn the art of healing.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading about the author's life and how she became a doctor.
Her advice was practical and informative.

I was fascinated with her knowledge of medicinal herbs.

I copied the information about which fruits and vegetables it is essential to buy organic (the dirty dozen) and which fish are the most safe and put it on my refrigerator.

A lot of what she shares is common sense, but it still helps to read it.

I wish I lived in Arizona so I could visit this Integrative Health Clinic where she works with Dr. Andrew Weil.

I recommend this book for all people, not just women.

[Kanchana Bandara-Coore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book when I attended a Nutrition and Health conference put on by the Arizona Centre for Integrative medicine. It was a combination of autobiography and "how to" manual which is chockful of useful advice for healthy living, with loads of references for those who want to see the original sources for the information. The book took me a while to read because I deliberately slowed down to fully absorb the "how to" aspects. Although the title suggests it is for women, there is good advice for all folks. The style of writing though is probably more appealing to women than men.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am honored to know and have studied under Dr. Low Dog at the University of Arizona. This book is an excellent summary of the premises of Integrative Medicine. I love the "prescription" sections where she gives specific book and other recommendations. I have been and will continue recommending this book to all my highly motivated patients who are enthusiastically and successfully taking control of their health.

[Edie Luther · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Low Dog knows integrative medicine, she knows her herbs and nutrition. I wish she could be my physician. I like when she said someone in her audience said she dressed like Cher so she went out and bought some black suits, or something to that effect. My only complaint is that she seems almost too perfect. She is where I would like to be in my life.

[Sudha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!!! I have a passion for health and loved the insights this doctor had to better take care of yourself both emotionally and physically. She gave health tips and discussed them in a simple way that the general public could understand. Would highly recommend it to all women who want to take steps to take care of themselves.

[Angela Gentile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book from an integrative physician with lots of easy-to-apply tips for a healthy mind and body. I especially like her personal stories an anecdotes from her Lakota heritage. I appreciate the aboriginal teachings and way of life. I love the last chapter on contentment. A good and easy read with lots of true-to-life examples and references for further exploration.

[Kelly Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read! Dr. Low Dog delivers helpful hints to feeling better, healthier, whole and more authentic. She adds helpful chapter summaries so you can apply her suggestions easily.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book and the personal anecdotes. Nothing in here was earth shattering for me, but very thoughtful and thorough explanations. Very straightforward book and easy read. Most things I was "mostly" already doing but will try to incorporate fish oil at a minimum.

[Stephanie Kreiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Low Dog seems to be one of those rare people who is wonderful at whatever she does. This comes through as she talks about her life/skills. I read a copy from the library but will have to buy one because there is so much useful information that I need to have (highlight).

[Jennifer]

All of this! Overall health and wellness instead of trying to temporarily fix health issues with modern medicine. Information about herbs and supplements and all the things that affect physical, emotional and mental health.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. I took copious notes.

[Robin Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic guide to better health... Physically and spiritually.

[Syrena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, pick-me-up read. I enjoyed the personal stories the author shared as they relate to my own journey and gave me inspiration. Recommended!

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reference tool for commonly used herbal remedy and engaging stories of how Dr Low Dog came to be :)