62 BookReviews
and physiotherapists. There is useful mention of chil-
dren' s ailments.
Section 4 illustrates the use of homoeopathy by var-
ious members and disciplines within the primary health
care team. This is divided into four areas, the primary
care nursing team, the GP and health visitor, the GP and
midwife, and, finally, the district nurse.
The book is concluded with a section on Materia
Medica, comprising a full remedy picture of commonly
used medicines and nosodes. Several case histories are
also included, together with useful further reading and
addresses.
There is no doubt that Paul Downey's Homoeo-
pathy for the Prima O, Health Care Team is an impor-
tant and informative publication and should be made
available to every health centre/hospital library.
Ken Atherton
Medical Homoeopath/University lecturer
Contemporary Ayurveda: Medicine and
Research in Maharishi Ayur-Veda
Hari Sharma and Christopher Clark
Churchill Livingstone, 1997
1SBN 0443 05594 7
It was a delight to review this most readable and acces-
sible book on the topic of Ayurvedic medicine. This
book is different from others on the topic of Ayurveda
as, as the subtitle suggests, it combines the experience
and research from the Maharishi Ayur-Veda health
centre with the traditional knowledge of Ayurvedic
medicine.
Written by two medical doctors, forwarded and
edited by two others, this book contains sound informa-
tion on the topics of anatomy, physiology and pathol-
ogy and diagnosis from the Maharishi Ayurvedic
approach. The book also contains some of the latest
understandings about free radicals and their effects on
health, and focuses importantly on the mind-body con-
nection.
The approach not only looks at traditional
Ayurveda, but also the effects of transcendental medi-
tation as taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on con-
sciousness, the mind, emotions and health. This is sub-
stantiated by substantial research. In addition to and
interwoven with this is the explanation of Maharishi
Ayurvedic medicine. Traditional aspects of Ayurveda
are discussed in detail, outlining the basic philosophy
and the classification system of the Doshas. Vata, Pitta,
Kapha and seasonal routine of diet, exercise (including
descriptions of asanas (yoga postures)), meditation,
massage and purification techniques are offered to bal-
ance the health affected by these.
There is an impressive amount of relevant research
and other references in the book to assist the reader.
There are specific chapters on the effect of emotions
and thinking on health, the rhythms of health, diet and
digestion, gynaecology, obstetrics and paediatrics, and
also on Maharishi's Vedic approach to health. I found
the book gathered in momentum and interest the more I
read of it.
This is a comprehensive and accessible approach to
Ayurvedic medicine, valuable to both the health profes-
sional and inquiring layman wishing to know more
about this age-old system for health and nutrition. I
highly recommend it as it offers the reader a valuable
insight into this mind-body approach to well-being.
Caroline Stevensen
Deputy Editor