The Handbook of Ayurveda

by Shantha Godagama

This practical and inspirational handbook touches on every aspect of Ayurveda, a traditional healing system of India, for beginners, and serves as a refresher course for more seasoned students. Written by one of the world's leading Ayurveda practitioners and teachers, this guide offers a complete overview and lays out the principal areas of the system—involving eight branches that include medicine, toxicology, and geriatrics—in ways that are easy to follow yet not oversimplified. The author outlines the history, terminology, and practice, and includes a glossary of terms and a well-researched treatment section. The book also contextualizes Ayurveda within Buddhism, and recommends therapies and the herbs and plants that best accompany them.

128 pages, Paperback

First published April 24, 1997

Reviews

[Andee Marley · Rating 3 out of 5]

my takeaways :
* it's interesting, but complicated
* it works in complete harmony with western medicine
* leave it to a professional

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple straightforward beginning to Ayurveda. Good graphics yet almost rather elementary but accessible nonetheless. A good beginning. Only hang-up was his classification of Pitta. My experience isn't that Pitta is the middle ground dosha; instead that it is the fiery type-A dosha. Regardless, this book is a good jumping-off point. Now, where to jump to...

[Susan Connell Biggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great basic introduction. Any suggestions on where to go next?