 for overcoming the obstacle of faultfinding and complaining?,
A: Recognize that it is a choice to focus on what is missing, and instead choose to appreciate and cultivate an attitude of gratitude.
Q: What is the author's perspective on the role of judgment in the manifestation process?,
A: Judgment halts the flow of energy and creates separation from the divine source, and it is essential to release judgment and trust in the universe's plan.<|eot_id|><|begin_of_text|>HERBAL
MEDICINEENCYCLOPEDIA OF
US_001_003_Half_Full_title.indd   1 26/02/16   4:42 pm
US_001_003_Half_Full_title.indd   2 26/02/16   4:42 pmHERBAL
MEDICINEENCYCLOPEDIA OF
Andrew chevallier
fnimh
US_001_003_Half_Full_title.indd   3 26/02/16   4:42 pm

DK UK
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 Art Editors Sourabh Challariya, Jomin Johny
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IMPORTANT NOTICE
Do not try self-diagnosis or attempt self-treatment for serious or long-term problems without first consulting
a qualified medical herbalist or medical practitioner as appropriate. Do not take any herb without first
checking the cautions in the relevant herb entry (see  pp. 56–283) and the Essential Information on
pp. 298–299. Do not exceed any dosages recommended. Always consult a professional practitioner if
symptoms persist. If taking prescribed medicines, seek professional medical advice before using herbal
remedies. T ake care to correctly identify plants and do not harvest restricted or banned species. So far as the
author is aware, the information given is correct and up to date as of July 2016. Practice, laws, and regulations
all change, and the reader should obtain up-to-date professional advice on any such issues. In addition, this
book contains general information on growing cannabis, which is a controlled substance in North America
and throughout much of the world. As the use and cultivation of cannabis and its derivative products can
carry heavy penalties, you should research your local laws before using the information in this book. The
author and the publisher expressly disclaim any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred
as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this book. Third American Edition, 2016
First American Edition, 1996
This edition published in the United States in 2016 by
DK Publishing, 345 Hudson Street, New Y ork, New Y ork 10014
Copyright © 1996, 2001, 2016 Dorling Kindersley Limited
Text copyright © 1996, 2001, 2016 Andrew Chevallier
DK, a Division of Penguin Random House LLC
16  17  18  19  20  10  9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1
001–285452–July/2016
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under the copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. Published in Great Britain by Dorling Kindersley Limited. A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress. ISBN: 978-1-4654-4981-8
DK books are available at special discounts when purchased in bulk for sales promotions, premiums, fund-raising,
or educational use. For details, contact: DK Publishing Special Markets, 345 Hudson Street, New Y ork, New Y ork 10014
SpecialSales@dk.com
Printed and bound in China
A world of ideA s:
see all there is to know
www.dk.comTHIRD EDITION
FIRST EDITION
Project Editor Penny Warren Editors Valerie Horn, Christa Weil
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US_004-005_Imprint_Contents.indd   4 26/02/16   4:42 pmContents
Introduction
THE DEVELOPMENT OF HERBAL MEDICINE
How Medicinal Plants Work
Active Constituents
Quality Control
Early Origins to the 19th Century
20th Century Onward
Herbal Traditions of the World
Europe
India and the Middle East
China, Japan, and Southeast Asia
Africa
Australia and New Zealand
North America
South America
KEY MEDICINAL PLANTS
A visual guide to 1 00 key herbs from around the world with
details of their habitat, constituents, actions, traditional
and current uses, and information on the latest research. Also included are key preparations and practical self-help uses. OTHER MEDICINAL PLANTS
450 other herbs from different herbal traditions with descriptions
of their therapeutic properties and past and present uses. HERBAL REMEDIES FOR HOME USE
Growing Medicinal Plants
Harvesting & Processing
Making Herbal Remedies
Using Herbal Remedies Safely
Remedies for Common Ailments
Consulting an Herbal Practitioner
Glossary
Bibliography
General Index
Index of Herbs by Ailment
Useful Addresses & Acknowledgments6
8
10
14
17
18
28
32
32
36
40
44
46
48
52
54
156
284
286
288
290
298
299
320
321
322
323
332
336
US_004-005_Imprint_Contents.indd   5 26/02/16   4:42 pm
6Introduction
In the twenty years since the first edition of this encyclopedia in 1996, herbal medicine
has gone through unprecedented change. Herbs, which have always been the principal form
of medicine in developing countries, have again become popular in the developed world,  as people strive to stay healthy in the face of chronic stress and pollution, and to treat illness with medicines that work in concert with the body’s defenses. A quiet revolution has been taking place. Tens of millions of people now take herbs such as ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba, p. 100)
to help maintain mental and physical health, and increasingly people consult trained herbal professionals and naturopaths for chronic or routine health problems. Increasingly too, scientific evidence is accumulating to show that herbal medicines can provide treatment that  is as effective as conventional medicines but with few side effects. Sales of herbal medicines continue to grow year after year—by over 50 percent in the U.S. since 2000—and several mainstream pharmaceutical companies now manufacture and market herbal medicines. Plant Medicines
The variety and sheer number of plants with therapeutic properties are quite astonishing. Some 50,000 to 70,000 plant species, from lichens to towering trees, have been used at
one time or another for medicinal purposes. Today, Western herbal medicine still makes use
of hundreds of native European plants, as well as many hundreds of species from other continents. In Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine) about 2,000 plant species are considered to have medicinal value, while the Chinese Pharmacopoeia lists over 5,700 traditional medicines, mostly of plant origin. About 500 herbs are still employed within conventional medicine, although whole plants are
rarely used. In general, the herbs provide the starting material for the isolation or synthesis
of conventional drugs. Digoxin, for example, which is used for heart failure, was isolated from common foxglove (Digitalis purpurea, p. 202), and the contraceptive pill was synthesized from constituents found in wild yam ( Dioscorea villosa, p. 91). Ecological Factors
The increased use of medicinal herbs has important environmental implications. Growing
herbs as an organic crop offers new opportunities for farmers, and sometimes, especially
in developing countries, opportunities for whole communities. In northeastern Brazil,  for example, community-run herb gardens grow medicinal herbs that are sold to local hospitals. Doctors at the hospital then prescribe these medicines for their patients. The rise in popularity of herbal medicines, however, also directly threatens the survival  of some


the pleasantest sauce, most familiar, and best agreeing with man’s body, both for the digestion of meates, breaking of stone, and voiding of gravel.”
Medicinal Actions & Uses  Though it is
currently little used in herbal medicine, sea fennel is a good diuretic, and it has potential as a treatment for obesity. Sea fennel has a high vitamin C and mineral content, and is thought to relieve flatulence and soothe the digestion. In this, the plant resembles its inland namesake, fennel (Foeniculum vulgare, p. 212). Glasswort (Salicornia europeae), also known as samphire, is an unrelated coastal plant with a high mineral content and is commonly eaten as a vegetable.Cornus officinalis (Cornaceae)
Shan Zhu Yu
Description  Deciduous tree reaching 13 ft (4 m)
with glossy elliptical leaves and bright red oval berries. Habitat & Cultivation  Native to China,
Japan, and Korea, this tree is cultivated in central and eastern China. The fruit is harvested when ripe in autumn. Part Used  Fruit. Constituents  Shan zhu yu contains an iridoid
glycoside (verbenalin), saponins, and tannins. Verbenalin produces a mild tonic effect on the involuntary nervous system, especially that governing the digestive system. History & Folklore  Listed in the 1st-century ce
Divine Husbandman’s Classic (Shen’nong Bencaojing), shan zhu yu is one of the constituents of the “Pill of Eight Ingredients,” used to “warm up and invigorate the yang  of the loins.”
Medicinal Actions & Uses  As an herb that
“stabilizes and binds,” shan zhu yu is used principally to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding and unusually active secretions, including copious sweating, excessive urine, spermatorrhea (involuntary discharge of semen), and premature ejaculation. Related Species  Several Cornus species are
used medicinally around the world. In Europe,  the fruit and bark of the cornelian cherry (C. mas)
US_180-201_Brassica_dictamnus.indd   196 26/02/16   12:47 pm197Cupressus sempervirensother medicinal plantsCucurbita pepo  (Cucurbitaceae)
Pumpkin
Description  Annual plant with twining stems,
lobed leaves, yellow flowers, and large orange fruit. Habitat & Cultivation  Probably native to
North America, pumpkin is now found worldwide. It is harvested in autumn. Parts Used  Seeds, pulp. Constituents  Pumpkin seeds contain a fixed oil
(30–50%), which is mostly linoleic acid (43–56%)
and oleic acid (24–38%). The oil also contains
protein (31–51%), sterols, cucurbitin, vitamin E,
beta-carotene, and minerals (4–5%), including
significant levels of iron, zinc, and selenium. History & Folklore  The pumpkin has been
much used as a medicine in Central and North
America. The Maya applied the sap of the plant
to burns, the Menominee used the seeds as a
diuretic, and European settlers ground and mixed
the seeds with water, milk, or honey to make a
remedy for worms. This practice became so
widespread in homes across North America that
the medical profession eventually adopted it as a
standard treatment. Medicinal Actions & Uses  Pumpkin has
been used mostly as a safe and effective deworming
agent, particularly in children and pregnant women
for whom strong-acting and toxic preparations are
inappropriate. It is thought most effective in
removing tapeworms. The seeds are diuretic and
tonic to the bladder, and they have distinct value in
treating the early stages of prostate enlargement. The fruit pulp is used as a decoction to relieve
intestinal inflammation and is applied as a poultice
or plaster for burns. Research  Pumpkin seeds’ range of medicinal and
nutritional compounds ensures that they have great
value as a “natural” food supplement. A good
dietary source of zinc, the seeds also contain relatively high levels of selenium, a mineral with
important antioxidant and anticancer activity in
the body. Cucurbitin repels intestinal worms, and the
sterols are anti-inflammatory. Research suggests
that pumpkin seed is effective in helping reduce
benign enlargement of the prostate gland (BPH),
due to both the hormonal influence of the sterols
and this anti-inflammatory activity. In one clinical
trial pumpkin seeds were combined with saw
palmetto ( Serenoa repens, p. 136) to treat BPH:
those taking the herbal extract showed improved
urine flow and reduced frequency of urination. Cuminum cyminum  (Apiaceae)
Cumin
Description  Small annual growing to 1 ft
(30 cm). Has long, narrow segmented leaves,
clusters of pink or white flowers, and small
oblong ridged fruits. Habitat & Cultivation  Cumin is native to
Egypt and widely cultivated in southern Europe
and Asia. The seeds are gathered when ripe in
late summer. Parts Used  Seeds. Constituents
Cumin seeds contain
2–5% volatile oil,
which consists of
25–35% aldehydes,
pinene, and alpha-
terpineol. The seeds
also contain flavonoids. History & Folklore
A popular spice and medicinal herb in ancient
Egypt, cumin was used for illnesses of the
digestive system, for chest conditions and coughs,
as a painkiller, and to treat rotten teeth. The
herb is mentioned in the Old Testament and was
widely used in the Middle Ages. It has declined
in popularity since that time, although it is still
frequently used in contemporary Egyptian
herbal medicine. In cooking, cumin is an
ingredient that is found in many Chinese,
Indian, and Middle Eastern recipes, especially
curries and pickles. Medicinal Actions & Uses  Cumin, like
its close relatives caraway ( Carum carvi, p. 184)
and anise ( Pimpinella anisum,  p. 248), relieves
flatulence and bloating, and stimulates the entire
digestive process. It reduces abdominal gases and
distension and relaxes the gut. In Indian herbal
medicine, cumin is used for insomnia, colds and
fevers, and, mixed into a paste with onion juice,
has been applied to scorpion stings. The seeds
can be taken to improve breast-milk production–
a role it shares with fennel seeds ( Foeniculum
vulgare, p. 212).Cupressus sempervirens
(Cupressaceae)
Cypress
Description  Evergreen tree growing to 100 ft
(30 m). Has tiny dark green leaves, and male and
female cones. Habitat & Cultivation  Native to Turkey
and cultivated in the Mediterranean, this herb
is gathered in spring. Parts Used  Cones, branches, essential oil. Constituents  Cypress contains a volatile oil
(with pinene, camphene, and cedrol) and tannins. History & Folklore  Ancient Greeks took
the cones, mashed and steeped in wine, to treat
dysentery, the coughing up of blood, asthma,
and coughs. Medicinal Actions & Uses  Applied
externally as a lotion or as a diluted essential oil,
cypress astringes varicose veins and hemorrhoids,
tightening up the blood vessels. A footbath of
the cones is used to cleanse the feet and counter
excessive sweating. T aken internally, cypress acts
as an antispasmodic and general tonic, and is
prescribed for whooping cough, the spitting up
of blood, and spasmodic coughs. Colds, flu, and sore throats,
and rheumatic aches and
pains, also benefit from
this remedy. Caution  Do not take
the essential oil internally
without professional
supervision. Pumpkin was a popular medicinal plant in the Americas;
its seeds are still used to treat worms.Cypress has properties
similar to those of
witch hazel.Seeds
US_180-201_Brassica_dictamnus.indd   197 26/02/16   12:47 pm
198Cur Cuma zedoariaother medicinal plantsCurcuma zedoaria
(Zingiberaceae)
Zedoary
Description  Perennial herb with large, tapering,
elliptical leaves, pink or yellow flowers, and an
aromatic, pale yellow root. Habitat & Cultivation  Zedoary is a common
Indian and East Asian plant. It is cultivated in India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, China, and Madagascar. Part Used  Rhizome. Constituents  Zedoary contains a volatile oil,
sesquiterpenes, curcumemone, curcumol, and curdione. Curcumol and curdione have cancer-fighting properties. Medicinal Actions & Uses  An aromatic,
bitter digestive stimulant, zedoary is used in much the same way as ginger (Zingiber officinale, p. 155)—to relieve indigestion, nausea, flatulence, and bloating, and generally to improve digestion. The rhizome is used in China to treat


Inula, I. helenium  13, 26, 107
I. japonica 107
inulin 26
ipecac 52, 186
Ipomeoea, I. batatas  223
I. pandurata  49
I. purga syn. Convolvulus jalapa  223
I. turpethum  223
I. violacea  223
Iris versicolor 223
Irish moss 189
irritable bowel syndrome  307
Islamic medicine (Unani Tibb) 21, 33,
36–37, 39
ispaghula (psyllium) 123
ivy 219
J
Jack-in-the-pulpit 171
jalap 223
Jamaica dogwood 251
jambul 274
Japanese gentian 99
Japanese medicine 22, 42–43
jasmine 224
Jasminum, J. grandiflorum  224
J. officinale  41
J. sambac  224
Jateorhiza palmata  44, 224
java tea 243
jequirity 38, 158
ji xue teng  235
jiang huang  (turmeric) 90
jin qian cao  231
jin yin hua  78, 229–30
jing jie 40, 268
Joe Pye weed 209
joint pain & stiffness  313
ju hua  13, 43, 78, 229, 256
jue ming zi 75
Juglans, J. cinerea  50, 224
J. nigra 224
J. regia 224
juices 297
jujube 283
juniper 20, 71, 224–25
Juniperus, J. communis  20, 71,  224–25
US_323-331_Index_General.indd   327 26/02/16   4:43 pm
328
general indexJ. oxycedrus 225
J. rigida 225J. sabina 225J. virginicus 185
K
kampoh see Japanese medicinekanghi 158kanna 44–45kava 46, 122kava kava 122kelp 16, 213K’Eogh 169, 174, 187, 203, 206, 214, 220,
252, 264
kerala 48–49, 236khat 185khellin 62kigelia 45, 225Kigelia pinnata syn. K. africana 45, 225kino 46, 258kiratatiktah 167knitbone 137knotgrass 124, 253kola nut 13, 45, 192–93Korean medicine 42–43Korean mint 161Krameria, K. cystisoides 225
K. parvifolia 225K. triandra 225
kudzu 258–59kumarhou 254kuth 267–68
L
Lactuca, L. sativa 226
L. virosa 225–26
lady’s bedstraw 214–15lady’s mantle 163–64, 286lady’s slipper 199–200Lamium album 226lapacho 13, 139larch 226Larix decidua syn. L. europaea 226Larrea, L. divaricata 226
L. tridentata 226
Laurus, L. camphora see Cinnamomum
camphora
L. nobilis 226–27, 286
Lavandula, L. angustifolia syn. L. officinalis
35, 108, 286
L. spica 108L. stoechas 108
lavender 35, 108, 286Lawsonia inermis syn. L. alba 227laxative herbs, action of 11, 13lemon 11, 14, 16, 38, 82, 191lemon balm 13, 113, 286lemon grass 48, 198–99, 286lemon verbena 52, 151, 228–29Leonurus, L. cardiaca 227
L. heterophyllus 227L. sibiricus 227
Lepidium, L. meyenii 228
L. virginicum 227–28
Leptandra virginica syn. Veronicastrum
virginicum 228
lesser celandine 260–61lesser periwinkle 282lesser skullcap 135Levant storax 229Levant wormwood 172–73Levisticum officinale syn. Ligusticum
levisticum 228lian qiao 212life root 269lignum vitae 23, 218Ligusticum, L. chuanxiong 228
L. levisticum see Levisticum officinaleL. sinense 228L. wallachii 42, 117
lily of the valley 31, 194lime (Citrus aurantiifolia) 177, 191, 250lime (Tilia spp.) 277Lind, James 25linden 277ling 180Linnaeus, Carolus 200, 270, 277linseed 16, 18, 109Linum, L. catharticum 109
L. usitatissimum 16, 18, 109
lippia 227Lippia, L. adoensis 229
L. alba 228L. citriodora syn. Aloysia triphylla 52, 151,
228–29
L. dulcis 228, 229
Liquidambar, L. orientalis 36, 229
L. styraciflua 229
licorice 15, 36, 72, 101, 117, 136, 226Liriosma ovata 258liver tonics 72, 111, 124, 125, 133, 137liver, weakened 319Lobaria pulmonaria 229lobelia 27, 49, 50, 110, 150, 209Lobelia, L. cardinalis 49
L. chinensis 110L. inflata 27, 49, 110, 150, 209L. siphilitica 110
lomatium 229Lomatium dissectum 229“longevity” herb 125Lonicera spp. 78, 229–30
L. caprifolium 229L. japonica 229–30
loofah 230Lophophora williamsii 49, 230lotions 296, 299lovage 228love-in-a-mist 240lucerne 233–34Luffa cylindrica syn. L. aegyptica 230Luma chequen 274lungwort 18, 259Lycium chinense syn. L. barbarum 42, 111Lycopodium clavatum 230Lycopus, L. europaeus 231
L. virginicus 231
Lysimachia, L. christinae 231
L. nemorum 231L. vulgaris 231
Lythrum salicaria 231
M
ma bian cao (vervain) 149ma huang (ephedra) 95maca 228mace 37, 115macerations 297mad dog 135Madagascar periwinkle 16, 282madder 263Madhuca spp. 231“magical” herbs, African 44
Native American 49
magnolia 232Magnolia, M. grandiflora 232
M. officinalis 40, 232maidenhair fern 160maidenhair tree 100maize see cornMajorana hortensis see Origanum majoranamalabar nut 160male fern 202Malva sylvestris 165, 232Mandragora officinarum 33, 180, 232mandrake 33, 180, 232Manihot esculenta 232–33manioc 232–33manna ash 213Maori remedies 254Maranta arundinacea 52, 233margoas tree (neem) 70marijuana 21, 104, 182Marrubium vulgare 233Marsdenia condurango syn. Gonolobus
condurango 233
marsh cudweed 217marsh pennywort 76marshmallow 13, 34, 35, 158, 165Mary thistle 137masterwort 223mastic tree 251matchbox bean 205maté 52, 222matico 122, 249–50Matricaria recutita see Chamomilla recutitaMattiolo, Pierandrea 185, 223, 227, 229maypop 119mayweed 169meadow anemone 168meadow saffron 89, 193meadowsweet 35, 98Medicago sativa 233–


The natu re of this element is irregular, mobile, expansive, dry, light, rough,
cold and  subtle. This is the next level in the expression of Con sciousness,and this is the point where Consciousness takes a particular direction. This
element is formless but it’ s less subtle than the Ether element. The most
important functi on of this eleme nt is movement. It combines with Space for
its b est expression. Spreading of pollen and a soft breeze are desirable
functions of this element but in excess they give rise to tornadoes that create
destruction. When in excess, this element can be fierce and destructive. Air elem ent is responsible for all the movements in our body. The
movement of our breath, our blood circulation, the movement o f food, and
all c ommunicati ons are a functio n of this element. Air is responsible for the
electric ener gy in our nervous system, the movement of all tissues, the
functioning of our hearing, and speaking and our sense of touch. Having too
much A ir can make us feel bloat ed and gassy and having too little can make
us feel stuf fy and stuck. But we need just the right amount to feel balanced. Popcorn, crackers and leafy greens are of predominantly Air element. Having too much of these foods, for a person who is predominantly made
up o f th is eleme nt (V ata dosha) and especially in the winter mo nths (which
is V ata season, as discussed below) can cause depletion, as Air is
destructive when present in excess. F I R E
This ele ment is hot, sharp, light, dry and dynamic. The most important
function of this element is to tra nsform and it is needed for Consciousness
to e xpress itself into form. Th is element provides dynamism, heat and
power. I t combin es with the nex t element, W ater, for its best expression and
is th e or ganizing power of Crea tion. T oo little sun can dampen everything
and too much can burn. W ithout the sun, most plants can’ t grow and
produce. Again,  we need just the right amount for its balanced f unction. For
example, we need just the right amount of heat to cook our food. This ele ment is responsible for t he digestive fire in the body. It is needed to
transform and metabolize our food into the ener gy we need. W eakened
digestion leads to many illnesse s, so balancing this element in our body can
be t he single m ost important and health-promoting action w e can take. A yurveda alway s looks at the whole picture; just as enough Fire is neededto tr ansform our food; it is al so needed to transform our em otions into
intelligence, and to transform our experiences into wisdom. It is responsible
for maintaining optimal body temperature, and the absorption and
assimilation of food, as well as for the transformative power of the liver. W e need  some Fire in the foods  we eat to transform them into ener gy and
we add that by spices, not just hot, pungent spices, but also many other
spices and herbs that can add a little heat to the food to make it easier to
digest. Hot, spicy food has a predominance of Fire element in it, and so
does a fiery tem perament. The same heat that can keep us warm  during the
winter m onths c an, in excess, in flame our body. Our body is always trying
to achiev e home ostasis, a point of balance. When we eat, we w ant to eat in
a balanced way. Someone with a fiery personality (Pitta dosha) will become
more fiery by eating hot and spicy foods (Pitta foods), especially in the
summer months (Pitta season), so eating cooling foods is neede d to balance
the emotions. Chili pe ppers, ginger, cinnamon, cumin, black pepper are some examples of
foods with Fire predominance. W A T E R
The nat ure of this element is fluid, cold, dull, soft, slimy or oily, and
mobile. Fire transforms Consciousness into this next level of its expression,
the first express ion with form. The most important function of this element
is nurtu rance an d cohesion, to hold things together and in that sense its
function can be compared to a m other that nurtures the family and holds it
together. No processes in the body can take place without W ater. Its most
important function is transportation. It is the carrier or the medium through
which a ll proce sses take place. W ater takes on the qualities of the other
elements that it combines with. As it combines with Fire, it works to
balance the Fire so it does not get too hot. When combined w ith Earth, it
becomes mud that holds thing s together. T oo much of this element can
cause floods and too little can c reate drought. Again, we need j ust the right
amount for its balanced function. Balance is not a static point; it is a
dynamic process where these elements are always working to move toward
that state over time.W ater m anifests as the plasma and lymph systems in our body that bring
nutrients to our cells and carry toxins away from the cells. It governs our
sense of taste and our reproductive function. Our body is estimated to be
60-70% water. This element nu rtures the cells, detoxifies our or gans and
connects the whole body together. Celery, cucumber, and melon s are good examples of foods with a
predominance o f this element. Carbohydrates also fit this category due to
their abi lity to glue things toge ther, hence the need for carbohydrates and
fats. T oo much can cause gluten sensitivity, which is actually a way for us
to reduce the am ount of carbs w e consume. This is how balance is built into
the body, and is attained. E A R T H
The natu re of this element is heavy, dull, constant, dense and gross. This is
where Consciousness fully takes form and becomes substance. It is this
element that holds and cradles everything together, providing support,
ener gy, and structure. T oo much of this element can result in stagnation and
rigidity and too little results in instability. Creation is always  working to
find bala nce so just the right amount of this element needs to be  present for
the other elements to express themselves fully as well. The Earth element in our body c reates immunity, strength, and stability, and
manifests as bones, muscles, cartilage, nails, hair, teeth a nd skin. It
combines with the element W at er for its best expression. T oo much of this
element can manifest as “couch  potato syndrome,” lethar gy, a tendency to
being overweight, obese and, on the psychological side, hoarding and
holding on to things, old grudges and emotions. Foods with Earth element predo minance are meats, root vegetables, cheeses
and swe ets, prot ein and minerals. W e need a suf ficient amount  of these to
sustain our muscles, strength and our immunity. Now let’ s discuss how
these five elements are expressed in our body, our mind, in seasons, in
cycles of the day and night, in dif ferent tastes, and in foods. E L E M E N T S  I N  O U R  B O D Y  A N D  O U R  M I N DAs ment ioned earlier, each element combines with another element to give
rise to the three forces that can be seen and experienced everywhere in our
world. E ther and Air combine to  give rise to V ata. W ater and F ire combine
to give rise to Pitta. W ater and Earth combine to give rise to Kapha. V ata, Pit ta and Kapha are the Generating, Or ganizing and Destro ying forces
in o ur b ody and our being and they are always working to bring balance
within u s. (W e can abbreviate th em as GOD). And, while we each have all
of th ese forces within us, one tends to predominate. When we re fer to these
forces a t work in the body the y are called Constitutions, or “Dosha” in
Sanskrit. (Although “Dosha” is used to describe an imbalance, the word is
used interchangeably with “constitution.”)
V A T A  C O N S T I T U T I O N
Ether and Air combine to create a V ata constitution and those blessed with
this dosha may be unusually short or unusually tall but they will have a
small frame, and are always very thin. They tend to be vivacious, talkative,
creative and enthusiastic but ma y have hard time staying on task and being
focused; they may fidget. Pleas e note that the most desirable and the most
undesirable qual ities of any dosh a can be found within the same person, and
most of us are trying to get to a “balanced” state where the undesirable
qualities of V ata—such as too much talking, a tenden cy towards
hyperactivity, an d an inability to focus—are minimized. T oo much of the
undesirable qua lities of this dosha can result in


 can make you sluggish and du ll if you
have a thyroid  deficiency; they can make you run away or fight
when confront ed by a threat. A burst of adrenaline is responsible
for a common reaction to a street magician levitating before our
very eyes as onlookers jump back or run away. We are so used  to accepting t hat these behaviors are chemically
induced that almost everyon e connects adolescent behav ior with
“raging hormones.” Even whe n sexual drive is tamed somewhat, it
is never truly tamed, just as  falling in love is never rational. If I
had been satisfied to accept this commonsense con nection
between horm ones and the effects they cause, there would be no
more story. But there is a fly in the ointment, and it disrupts things far
beyond hormones—it potentially overturns reality itself. There is a
brain hormone called oxytocin that has gained the popular name
of the “love hormone,” because the presence of higher levels of this
hormone in the brain makes a person more affectionate and
trusting. But this one molecu le secreted by the pituitary gland is
much more complex than th at. Higher levels are secreted in the
mother during birth and breastfeeding, promoting a close bond
with the baby. If you pet your dog for a while, oxytocin goes up in
both you and y our dog. Oxytocin makes people love their national
flag more, while being indifferent to the flags of other countries. During sexual activity, oxytocin rises in women, making them
bond w ith thei r sexual partners emotionally, but the effect doesn’t
seem to happen in men. Something str ange must be going on, and yet these complex
findings don’t  shake the faith of most endocrinologists. I was
different. What bothered me was that oxytocin doesn’t actually do
anything it is c redited with doing unless the mind goes alo ng with
it. A woman won’t have more affection for a sexual partner if she iscoerced, fright ened, angry, or simply distracted by so mething
more important. Your oxytocin won’t go up if you pet a dog you
dislike. You won’t love your country’s flag if you are forced to
salute it by an authoritarian regime. I ca me to see the explosive effect of the mind-body connec tion. It w as as if we are two creatures, one a robot that can be
programmed b y chemicals, the other a free agent who  thinks,
considers, and  decides. These two creatures are se emingly
incompatible. They have no right to exist together, and yet they
do, as reflecte d in the setu p of our nervous system. One part
operates automatically, enabling life to go on without your
thinking about  it. You don’t  have to think to keep breathing or
have yo ur heart beat. But yo u can consciously take control, and
the voluntary nervous system allows you to alter your breathing
and even, with a little practice, slow down your heart rate. Suddenly, we are on the verg e of a mystery, because something
must decide whether to take a ction, or not. That something cannot
be the brain, because the brain is indifferent about whether it
employs eithe r side of the central nervous system. On the
involuntary side, the brain increases your heart rate if you run a
marathon, but it was you  who decided to run the marathon in the
first place. So who is this “you”? That ni ggling question is what disrupts reality. At any given
moment you—that is, the self—decide which nervous system to
call upon; therefore, you ca nnot be the creation of eith er one. When you see this simple fact, you are on the road to self-
awareness. You  can be happy and watch yourself being h appy at
the same time; you start to ex perience yourself completely without
anger, even as you are displaying anger. The rea son for this shift is simple: you have gone beyon d the
mechanical sid e of life. You have awakened to who you really are,
the user of the  brain but not  the brain, the traveler in a body but
not the body, t he thinker of thoughts who is far, far more than any
thought. As I will show in the following pages, your true self is
beyond time and space. When you identify with your true self, you
have fulfilled the dictum to be in the world but not of it. The Greekword meta  means “beyon d,” so I’m usin g it to describe the reality
that lies beyond “What you see is what you get.” When you occupy
metareality, you are metahuman. In fits and star ts, everyone is already there. Metareality is the
source o f all creativity, because without going beyond the old and
conventional, there would be no new thoughts, artworks, books, or
scientific discoveries. No mat ter how many thoughts you’ve had in
your life, there are infinitely more you can think; no matter how
many sentences writers have written, there are infinitely more to
write. Words and thoughts are not stored in the brain like
information in a computer, to be juggled around mechanically
when another thought is needed. Shakespeare wasn’t simply
juggling his Elizabethan vocabulary—he employed wor ds in a
creative way. Van Gogh didn’t simply combine the standard colors
in the spectrum; he used col or as a new way of seeing the world
around him. Going b eyond is how a per son decides if life is meani ngful
enough. When  you want mor e than your life is giving you, it’s not
your br ain that craves more meaning, nor is it the everyday person
going a bout the routine business of life. The self, viewing things
from a higher perspective, is deciding the matter. The self also
decides whom to love, what is  truth, whether to trust, and so on. If
a m other judges that a cranky  three-year-old needs a nap, she has
gone beyond a simple assessment of what the child is doing and
saying. Cranky children say all kinds of things, and if mothers
bought into them, they’d be no better than children. If g oing beyond has proven  so indispensable, why aren’t we
metahuman al ready? There is no reason to keep repeating the
same trite, tired opinions, follow the same outworn social
conventions, and surrender to conformist thinking. All pose traps
that we fall int o, and the res ult is more of the same strife, wars,
domestic violence, racial prejudice, and gender inequality that we
have been prey to throughou t history. We choose to be our own
prisoners. This paradox, playing the part of inmate and jailer at
the same time, has caused untold suffering for humanity. To brin g the whole sorry me ss to an end involves one thing:
shifting from human to met ahuman. Both states exist here and
now. There is nowhere to go  to reach metareality. Like the twobirds in  the tree, you are feasting on life while also looking  on. But
the looking-on part is being ignored, suppressed, overlooked, and
undervalued. T he transforma tion that makes you metahuman is
known in the world’s spiritual traditions as “waking up.” Once
someone rises to the state of metahuman, it seems as if the old
everyday self was a sleepwalker, barely conscious of life’s infinite
possibilities. To b e awake i s to embrace full self-awareness. Lots of other
metaphors com e to mind. Metahuman is like tuning in to the
whole radio band instead of one narrow channel. It’s like  a string
vibrating to a higher note. It’s like seeing a world in a grain of
sand. But like  is a limiting word. The real thing is indescribable
and must be ex perienced firsthand, just as sight is indescribable to
someone born blind and yet revelatory if that person gains sight. Editors encourage writers to coax readers, using a big promise
of some thing, new, fresh, and different. Waking up is as old as
being human. It’s impossible to promise something like waking
up, whi ch is indescribable in the first place. Looking bac k on my
previous works, I feel that I  was inhibited by how peculiar and
mysterious it is to wake up. T his time, however, I’ve taken a deep
breath and gone for broke. I’m trusting that the reader isn’t
someone born blind to whom sight is completely unknowable. With a modicum of trust, we can all be shown that we are already
metahuman and that metareality is here and now. I don’t know who will be persuaded and who won’t. In the end,
the mys tery of  being human obeys only itself. But one thing I do
have faith in. If in reading this book you connect with what it
means to wake up, you will realize the truth in much le ss time
than th e thirty years I look back on. The faster that met ahuman
dawns in our lives, the better.TOVER VIEW

M E T A H U M A N


. As there is no further intake of food, assimilation in
the body only involves the redistribution of the elements already stored there. Thus
the organs are given a chance to recuperate and restore their vital powers. Repair   13 of damaged structures may take place. Broken bones, wounds and open sores
heal much more rapidly. If inflammation is present it tends to subside. The body
undergoes a general healing process. Associated with physiological rest of an organ is increased elimination. This,
according to some observers, is the most important advantage of fasting. Part of
the energy which should normally be devoted to the work of assimilation may, dur-
ing a fast, be used to expel the accumulations of waste and toxins. Decomposing
food in the digestive tract, which is often an important source of toxins, is quickly
eliminated. The entire alimentary canal becomes almost free from bacteria. The
nourishment of cells on a fast is first derived from the less essential tissues and
portions of impaired and diseased tissue. The surplus material on hand is utilized
first. The effusions, dropsical swellings, fat, infiltrations, etc., are absorbed with
great rapidity on a fast. The body thus gradually releases itself from a former bur-
den of superfluous and waste material. Increased elimination of toxins is noted on the very first days of the fast. The
breath becomes very offensive, and the skin may also emit an offensive odor,
possibly because of greater eliminative effort on the part of both the lungs and
skin. Catarrhal eliminations usually increase during the early days of the fast, until
towards the end of the fast elimination is completed and recovery occurs. The
toxicity of the urine is increased, perhaps due to greater elimination via the kid-
neys. In some cases, considerable waste material is lost through the process of
vomiting. Of course each of these symptoms does not occur in all cases, but there
is always some outward indication of increased elimination. The primary elimina-
tion, however, brought about simply by internal absorption and autolysis, is not
apparent in outward reactions, except perhaps the loss of weight and general
weakness. 14 A marked improvement in nervous and mental function occurs on the fast. Max
Nordau declared that "Pessimism has a physiological basis;' and it may also be
said that even the most severe forms of mental aberration usually have a physio-
logical basis. Under the usual circumstances of civilized life, with its nutritive in-
adequacies and its inclusion of chemical stimulants and depressants, both in the
food supply and as drugs for the treatment of disease, there is a tendency to the
reduction of nerve energy, or enervation as it is called. The capacity of the brain is
also impaired, giving rise to an assortment of nervous and mental diseases. While
fasting, all enervating influences are discontinued and the entire nervous system
and brain undergoes the same physiological rest that the balance of the body ex-
periences. Nerve forces are restored and mental powers are improved. The ability
to reason is increased. The powers of attention and association are quickened
while memory of past events is often recovered. Dr. Tanner and others even testi-
fied to the development of psychic powers during the fast, which Dr. Tanner felt
explained "why the old prophets and seers so often resorted to fasting as a means
of spiritual illumination." Fasting thus serves many purposes in terms of physiology and chemistry. It pro-
duces rejuvenation of tissues, induces autolysis of abnormal growths, improves
the powers of digestion and assimilation, reestablishes normal chemistry and se-
cretion, affords the organs of the body a physiological rest, increases elimination,
promotes nerve energy recuperation, strengthens the mind, and perhaps im-
proves function in various ways which we do not yet understand. Obviously these
factors are of considerable importance in determining the physical condition of the
body. They may mean the difference between strength and weakness, health and
disease, and perhaps even life and death. 15 IV Efficiency of Fasting
ON THE BASIS of our knowledge regarding the physiological effects of fasting,
we are justified in assuming that, theoretically at least, fasting should be a very ef-
ficient therapeutic agent. However, important as this is, it is not enough. A meas-
ure may be theoretically correct, and have a logical and reasonable basis in all re-
spects, and yet in the treatment of disease it does not fulfill expectations. Thus it is
necessary that fasting be given thorough consideration from the standpoint of sta-
tistics and available records of its use in the treatment of diseases of all types. The employment of fasting for therapeutic purposes has been very extensive. There are a number of prominent physicians who can be referred to, each of
whom has had experience in conducting thousands of fasts. Among these is Dr.
Herbert M. Shelton, who has conducted over 30,000 fasts at his institute ranging
in length from a few days to as many months. This record involves more experi-
ence with fasting than that of any other living physician, and perhaps also exceeds
that of any physician of history. The work of the renowned Dr. William Howard
Hay, while director of the great Pocana Haven sanatorium in Mount Pocana, Pa.,
included the supervision of several thousand fasts. Dr. George S. Weger listed the
number of patients who were treated at his sanatorium at approximately 5,000. The experience of Dr. Linda Burfield Hazzard covered nearly 2,500 patients. For
decades Dr. John M. Tilden treated patients at his fasting institute in Denver, Colo-
rado, and the large Bergholtz Clinic, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, founded by Dr.
Eugene A. Bergholtz, published the case histories of many of its thousands of
fasting patients. Other physicians have likewise been active in this work, each   16 conducting scores, hundreds or thousands of fasts, and they have reported the
detailed results of their experiences with fasting. Most of the patients who have been treated at fasting institutes and sanatoriums
had for years suffered from ill health. Many of them tried all other forms of healing
— drugs, surgery, manipulation, massage, artificial fever treatments, electrical
treatments, autosuggestion, etc. — all to no avail. Finally, as a last resort they de-
cided to try fasting. Heart disease, cancer, ulcers, colitis, asthma, sinusitis, arthri-
tis, tumors, gall bladder infection and other ailments, which are seldom completely
and permanently remedied by orthodox means, were common among the afflic-
tions of the patients. Yet the percentage of recoveries has been amazingly high — exceeding that
resulting from the use of any other therapeutic measure. Many patients, after suf-
fering for years from so-called incurable ailments, have been completely restored
to health. All physicians caring for the fasting patients have pointed out the un-
usual efficiency of the fasting treatment. Dr. Shelton, for instance, has reported
that 95 per cent of the patients at his institute have recovered health or claimed
benefit, and others who have made lengthy observations of his patients under
care do confirm that the treatment is highly effective. Some of the most important statistics on the subject of fasting come from Dr.
James McEachen, who applied fasting in the treatment of 715 cases of disease
during the period from August, 1952 to March, 1958. All fasts were carefully su-
pervised under ideal conditions in McEachen's sanatorium near Escondido, Cali-
fornia. The only limitation in the efficiency of treatment was that many patients did
not have time to fast long enough or often enough to obtain maximum benefit. Yet, in 294 of these cases, there was very great improvement or complete recov-
ery; in 360 cases there was moderate benefit, and for the remaining 61 cases, no   17 improvement at all was noted. Thus the average percentage of improved or reme-
died cases was 88.4 per cent. On the following chart, the diseases treated by Dr.
McEachen are listed, along with the numbers of those responding, and not re-
sponding, to care. TABLE 1
Disease Number Cases Im-Case Cases or Reme-Not High Blood 141 141 0
Colitis 88 77 11
Sinusitis 67 64 3
Anemia 60 52 8
Hemorrhoids 51 48 3
Arthritis 47 39 8
Bronchitis 42 39 3
Kidney Disease 41 36 5
Benign Tumors 38 32 6
Heart Disease 33 29 4
Asthma 29 29 0
Ulcers 23 20 3
Hay Fever 19 17 2
Goiter 11 11 0
Pyorrhea 8 6 2
Gallstones 7 6 1
Cancer 5 5 0
Multiple Scle-4 3 1
Cataract 1 0 1   18 At Pawling Health Manor, in Hyde Park, New York, fasting has been extensively
applied in the care of the sick. Dr. Robert R. Gross, director of the sanatorium, has
provided vital statistical data pertaining to this work, covering a time period from
August of 1957 to July of 1963. Altogether, Dr


weakened	immune	response. 29
	Sleep	may	help	facilitate	the	redistribution	of	T-
cells	to	lymph	nodes. 30
	T-cells	are	a	vital	part	of	our	immune	system	that	help
maintain	our	wellness	and	vitality,	and	the	more	efficiently	they	travel	through
the	lymphatic	system,	the	better. Since	our	entire	population	appears	to	be
suffering	from	a	sleep	deficit,	our	immunity	must	be	reduced	across	thepopulation	as	a	whole. Can	you	imagine	the	health	implications	for	our	entire
society	if	we	all	slept	better. The	entire	health	of	the	community	would	be
bolstered,	and	health-care	costs	might	be	dramatically	reduced. But	this	very
much	has	to	start	with	you. Getting	sick	isn’t	just	inconvenient	or	annoying;	it	can	also	be	aging. Some
theorize	that	diseases	and	routine	illnesses	like	the	common	cold	can	actually
create	free	radicals	in	your	body. 31
	When	these	sicknesses	occur,	your	immune
system	creates	free	radicals	on	purpose	to	help	neutralize	harmful	viruses	and
bacteria. But	those	free	radicals	also	create	cellular	damage	and	contribute	to
the	visible	effects	of	aging. In	other	words,	minimizing	and	avoiding	getting
sick	isn’t	just	to	benefit	your	health;	it	can	be	another	powerful	tool	in	your
anti-aging	arsenal. SLUGGISH	DETOXIFICATION
Sleep	gives	your	body	the	rest	it	needs	to	perform	its	vital	functions,	such	as
detoxification. It	is	therefore	critical	to	help	promote	optimal	detoxification
and	clear	metabolic	waste	from	your	system. 32
	As	you	know,	the	more	detoxed
and	cleansed	your	internal	body	is,	the	more	beautiful	you	will	become. POOR	PERFORMANCE
It’s	well	established	that
sleep	improves	your	performance	and	alertness. 33
When	you	sleep	more,	you’ll	drive	more	safely,	and	your	memory	will	improve,
too. 34
	Reduced	sleep	means	you	aren’t	able	to	perform	at	your	highest	potential
for	all	tasks	in	life. If	you	aren’t	able	to	feel	as	present	and	alert	at	work,	when
working	on	your	creative	pursuits,	while	playing	with	your	children,	or	during
your	workouts,	it’s	very	frustrating	and	reflects	a	diminishing	quality	of	your
life. ANXIETY	AND
DEPRESSION
Poor	sleep	can	also	contribute	to	worsening	anxiety. 35
	In	a	parallel	fashion,
insomnia,	the	extreme	end	of	bad	sleep,	may	be	a	risk	factor	for	full-blown
anxiety	disorders. 36
	On	the	opposite	end	of	the	spectrum,	when	you	feel	fully
rested	and	consistently	get	enough	sleep,	it’s	easier	to	feel	calm	and	present. Calmness	helps	you	deal	better	with	stressors	in	life,	and	as	we	discussed	earlier,
dealing	with	stress	better	helps	delay	aging	all	around. For	someone	suffering	from	depression,	bad	and	irregular	sleep	is	often	part
of	the	disorder. In	fact,	some	recent	therapies	focus	on	loss	of	good	sleep	as	the
first	sign	that	a	bout	of	depression	may	soon	occur. This	onset	can	be	avertedby	paying	close	attention	to	good	sleep	before	the	depression	actually	hits. Is
good	sleep	a	preventive	for	depression. That’s	not	agreed	upon,	but	it’s
definitely	worth	trying	to	incorporate. PERMANENT
BRAIN	DAMAGE
An	aging	brain	leads	to	less	vitality	overall,	and	vitality	is	a	big	component	of
being	your	most	Radically	Beautiful. Researchers	at
Duke-NUS	Graduate
Medical	School	Singapore	(Duke–National	University	of	Singapore)	found	a
relationship	between	the	fewer	hours	of	sleep	adults	get	and	accelerated	aging	in
the	brain. 37
Most	of	us	presume	that	a	few	nights	of	missed	sleep	are	not	a	big	deal. We
think	we	can	recover	by	getting	more	sleep	in	the	future. But	a	study	from
researchers	at	the
University	of	Pennsylvania	found	otherwise. 38
	The	lead
researcher,
Sigrid	Veasey,	MD,	notes,	“This	is	the	first	report	that	sleep	loss	can
actually	result	in	a	loss	of	neurons. ”
39
	She	continues,	“No	one	really	thought
that	the	brain	could	be	irreversibly	injured	from	sleep	loss. In	general,	we’ve
always	assumed	full	recovery	of	cognition	following	short-	and	long-term	sleep
loss. But	some	of	the	research	in	humans	has	shown	that	attention	span	and
several	other	aspects	of	cognition	may	not	normalize	even	with	three	days	of
recovery	sleep,	raising	the	question	of	lasting	injury	in	the	brain. ”
40
	Whoa…now
this	is	a	pretty	strong	reason	not	to	put	off	sleep. Sleep	deprivation	is	considered	a	constant	stressor	to	your	system	and	has
been	shown	in	some	research	to	reduce	the	capacity	for	learning	and	memory. Reducing	sleep	deprivation	is	even	hypothesized	to	help	prevent	or	slow	the
progression	of	Alzheimer’s	disease. 41
	Of	course,	the	sharper	and	more	alert	your
brain	is,	the	more	powerful	and	confident	in	your	beauty	you	will	be. All	of	these	findings	help	us	to	understand	how	the	most	basic	of	nature’s
rhythms	contributes	to	every	aspect	of	life. But	please	don’t	be	alarmed. This
shift	was	not	meant	to	frighten	you	with	the	disastrous	effects	of	getting	too
little	sleep,	but	rather	to	open	your	eyes	to	all	of	the	benefits	you’ll	soon	see
from	getting	more,	better	quality	sleep. In	the	next	shift,	you’ll	learn	how	to
tune	in	to	your	body’s	natural	rhythms	in	order	to	achieve	Peak	Beauty	Sleep. SHIFT	11:
Tune	In	to	Your
Body’s
Natural
Rhythms
Nature’s	Timetable
Being	more	in	tune	with	our	natural	rhythms	aligns	us	to	nature’s	power	and
beauty. It’s	easy	to	think	of	nature’s	power	in	a	dramatic	flash	of	lightning	or	in
the	heat	of	the	sun,	but	equal	to	this	power	is	the	strength	of	rejuvenation. We
need	to	harness	this	power	to	retract	and	go	inward	in	order	to	have	the	most
effective,	deep	sleep	that	fuels	our	creative	power	and	allows	our	natural	beauty
to	fully	shine	through. Radical	Beauty	is	about	living	in	harmony	with	nature’s	inherent	wisdom. From	a	sleep	perspective,	this	means	that	the	more	in	tune	you	are	with	natural
light,	the	better. This	shifts	every	season	with	the	influence	and	timing	of	the
sun	and	the	larger	bodies	of	energy	beyond	our	planet. The	sun	coordinates	the
movement	of	the	Earth	around	its	axis,	which	influences	the	larger	seasonal
shifts	as	well	as	the	daily	shifts	that	create	longer	and	shorter	days. Even	though
these	planetary	bodies	may	seem	unfathomably	far	away	from	the	average
person,	they	actually	exert	their	influence	on	our	bodies. Since	we	possess	all	of
the	main	elements	found	in	nature,	Ayurveda	believes	we	are	miniature
representations	of	the	whole	universe,	the	entire	cosmos. Circadian	rhythms	are	physical,	mental,	and	behavioral	changes	in	living
beings	(including	not	only	animals	but	also	plants	and	microbes)	that


formless, that this part—thought—is without boundaries. And I conclude
from this that we are therefore endless as well. Consequently, abundance, with its absence of limits and boundaries, is
the very watchword of the universe. It applies to us as much as it does to
everything else in the onesong. It is the universe’ s response to our belief in
scarcity. We should be consciou s of abundance and prosperity and not make
scarcity the cornerstone of our lives. If we have a scarcity mentality, it means that we believe in scarcity, that
we evaluate our life in terms of its lacks. If we dwell on scarcity we are
putting energy into what we do not have, and this continues to be our
experience of life. The theme of so many people’ s life story is “I simply do
not have  enough,” or “How can I believe in abundance when my children
don’t have all of the clothes that they need?” or “I would be a lot happier if
I had———.” People believe they live a life of lack becau se they are
unlucky, instead  of recognizing that their belief system is rooted  in scarcity
thinking. Yet as long as they live with a scarcity mentality, that is what they
will attract to their lives.Everything that it would take to eliminate this life situation is already
here in the world that we live and breathe in every single day. Where else
could it be? The truth is that there is enough to go around, there is an
endless universe for us to work in, and we are a part of that endless
universe. Once we truly know  this, we will see it working for us in
thousands of ways. Everyone that I have ever met who moved from a life of
scarcity into a life of abundance has discovered how to believe and live this
principle. I mean every single person, including myself. But how do we get
rid of a scarcity mentality? TRANSCENDING A SCARCITY  CONSCIOUSNESS

The first step toward discarding a scarcity mentality involves giving thanks
for everything that you are and everything that you have. That’ s right—give
thanks, but not in some meanin gless charade. Truly appreciate the miracle
that you are. The fact that you are alive. That you have eyes, ears, feet, and
that you are here right now in this marvelous dream. Make an effort to
begin focusing on what you have, rather than on what you are missing. Nothing is missing. How could anything be missing in a perfect
universe? When  you begin to focus on being thankful for all that you have
—the water you drink, the sun that warms you, the air you breathe, and
everything that is a gift from God—you will be using your thoughts (your
entire essence) to dwell on abundance and your humanity. Keep in mind that you are one cell in a body of humanity, and that cell
requires harmon y within in order to cooperate with the adjacent cells. As
you do this, your energy will shift to the miracle of your being here. While
you are focused on the miracle that you are and all that surrounds you, you
cannot be focuse d on what you are not, and what seems missing from your
world. As you practice  being thankful, expand the list of things that you are
thankful for. Friends and family. Clothes and food. Any money that you
have. All of your possessions, every single thing that has come into your
life for you to use while you are here. I mean every single thing. The pencil,
the fork, the chair, everything. Begin to focus on how thankful you are to
have these things in your life now, when you need them. Think of them as
yours to use temporarily before sending them back into circulation.Once you have trained yourself to begin the process of being thankful for
everyone and everything that comes your way, as well as being appreciative
of your very humanity, you are on your way toward eliminating a scarcity
mentality. WHA TEVER YOU FOCUS YOUR THOUGHTS ON EXP ANDS

Read it again. It really is quite logical. Whatever you tend to think about is
what you will focus on, and create more of. For example, if you have some
debts and some principal, and your entire focus is on what you have, then
you will expand your principal. If your principal is only five hundred
dollars and your debts are five thousand, and you focus on the money that
you have, you will begin to do something with it. Whatever you do with it
in a positive way will help it to expand. Conversely, if you focus all of your
thoughts on your indebtedness, always reminding yourself how poor you
are, and making that the locus of your emotional life, that is precisely what
you will expand. This is very clear when it comes to minor illnesses. If you
focus on your cold, always talking about it, always complaining to everyone
you meet about  how lousy you feel, you will expand what you focus on. That is, your energy will flow to the cold that you are so proud of. But if
you focus on all of you that is not sick, and tell others how great you feel,
you will expand wellness. We act upon our thoughts. These thoughts literally become our daily life
experience. Consequently, if you spend a great deal of your life energy
focusing on scarcity, that is what you are going to expand in your life. I can
give you a real-life example of how this works. I have a dear friend named Bobbe Branch who lives in Wenatchee,
Washington. She is a spectacularly alive, higher -consciousness person who
is a true joy to be around. In virtually all areas of her life she has mastered
the principles of abundance. Yet in the area of her career she continually
focused on what was missing in her life. Bobbe is a very talente d singer and
songwriter and wanted to produce an album of her songs, but she was
convinced she did not have the financial ability: she was operating from a
scarcity mentali ty when it came  to money. And this scarcity mentality took
over when it came to her performing in front of an audience: she was sure
she could not.We talke d for several hours one evening about her belief that she would
never have an album unless some angel suddenly emer ged to provide the
funding. I tried to help her see that this belief was the very thing that was
keeping her from actualizing her dream of recording her own songs. I invited Bobbe to sing her beautiful music at some of my speaking
engagements. In spite of her fears, she performed beautifully to standing
ovations and began focusing on what she could do rather than what she felt
was impossible or difficult. The more she thought about singing  in front of
an audie nce, the more that very thing expanded in her life, and after a year
or so she was accepting singing  engagements. Then came the big challenge
for Bobbe: to view herself in a prosperity manner. In a phone conversation
she told me that she had finally  mustered the courage to inquire  how much
it would  cost to produce an album using one of the finest arrangers and
musical directors in the Northwest. The total was more money than she had
ever accumulated in her life. I told her to begin focusing her thoughts on
prosperity, and never to allow a “lack” thought into her consciousness. She began to get the message. One evening I received a long-distance
phone call from Wenatchee, and Bobbe announced, “I’ve been thinking
about nothing else but having that money at my disposal. I never let in a
scarcity thought.” She then said that she and a friend at work were
discussing ways  to make it happen. Bobbe had said to her friend, “What if I
asked fifteen of the people I know to invest one thousand dollars in me and
my music? I mean, people who really believe in my singing?” To her
delighted astonis hment her friend said, “I would love to invest that in you,”
and Bobbe realized that she was already one-fifteenth of the way there. In three days she had drawn up investment portfolios and signed up the
necessary invest ors, all of whom invested one thousand dollars to be repaid
within one year. She was ecstati c that she had finally overcome her belief in
scarcity, for when she focuse d on abundance, that is precisely what
expanded for her. Within two months she had produced her album,
Happiness Is the Way, with three songs on it that were conceived around
Eykis, the lady about whom I have written a book. Now Bobbe is busy promoting her music and happily working at making
it a big hit. Focusing on abundance rather than scarcity is paying off
handsomely for her. She has repaid almost all of her investors  and is in a
second run of the album. Her dedication on the album reads: “To my friend
Wayne Dyer; I appreciate all you have done to encourage me to dare torisk.” All I really ever did was help her focus on what she wanted to expand
in her life. The same is true for each of us. To experience anything other than
abundance in your life you actually have to deliberately resist it by focusing
on scarcity! When you live and breathe prosperity with a belief that everything is in
huge supply, and that we


ing at all, and instead start at the muladhara chakra and flow on either side of the sushumna.
Q: What is the function of the Governor Vessel Meridian in Chinese medicine?,
A: According to the text, the Governor Vessel Meridian plays a crucial role in the distribution of vital energy, and is said to be used in acupuncture treatment to supplement the flow of ki energy in the body.
Q: What is the purpose of the Five Major Pranas, according to the text?,
A: The text states that the Five Major Pranas are responsible for governing various physiological and psychological functions, such as respiration, digestion, and the control of vital energy.<|eot_id|><|begin_of_text|>Verse 85
• With the gaze fixed on the tip of the nose and
meditating on the sky (the sahasrara), on the absolute 187
and peaceful Shiva, whose face is turned in all direc
tions, one is freed from suffering. Such are Goraknath's descriptions of the chakras and the
effects he associates with their awakening. For a discussion
of the nose-gazing techniques mentioned here, see Chapt. IV
p. 100, 111. He further describes the meditations as follows:
Verses 86-87
• A student of Yoga obtains mastery over it after
meditating upon the anus (corresponding to the
muladhara chakra), the penis (the svadhishthana
chakra), the navel (the manipura chakra), the heart
(the anahata chakra), the throat and the uvula (the
vishuddhi chakra), the Over-Lord in the middle of the
eyebrows (the ajna chakra), and the void (the
sahasrara chakra) as identical with the Atma that is all
pervasive, pure, space-like and shining like a mirage. Verse 88
• These centers of meditation which have been de
scribed, when associated with adjuncts (the letters,
color, etc., of each chakra)* and the principle (i.e., At
ma),* lead to the rise of the eight miraculous powers. Verse 89
• The adjunct and the principle, these two only have
been described - the former meaning color or letter
while the latter means Atma. * Notes appended by original translators. 188
Verse 90
• The adjunct implies (i.e., gives rise to)* perverse
knowledge, while the principle is opposite in nature. The principle by its constant meditation leads to the
destruction of all the adjuncts. Verse 91
• A jewel when polished shines out in its true color. So
the soul that is freed because of the awakening of Kun-
dalini is to be preferred (because then it sounds
liberated)* and is freed from all adjuncts. Verse 92
• The knowers of the principle know the principle to be
free from pain, without any support, free from diversi
ty, having no substratum, free from suffering and void
of form. In Verses 85-92, Goraknath seems to give us an important
warning. To wit, if paranormal abilities are acquired by uni
fying the adjuncts (the various iconographical details of each
chakra), with the principle (the Atma), through meditation,
they must be approached with extreme caution. When ac
tivated, the adjuncts themselves have the propensity to give
rise to "perverse" knowledge which deviates from the true
goals of the spiritual aspirant. Only when the adjuncts have
been finally merged with and dissolved into the absolute
principle, Atma, can the yogi be freed from suffering and
liberated from the concrete world of forms. •Notes appended by original translators. 189
In the next chapter, we will turn out attention to Rev. C. W.
Leadbeater's well-known study, The Chakras. This will prove
quite interesting, as Leadbeater's descriptions of the chakras
differ considerably from those contained in the material we
have examined so far. The main point of contention is that
Leadbeater, in his own experience of the chakras, did not
perceive them to possess the various adjuncts described in
the traditional Hindu literature. In fact, he contends that the
Indian descriptions of the chakras are merely symbolic, and
that the chakras he perceived in the form of wheels of multi
colored light, are the true ones. Let us examine his argument
more closely. VII
The Chakras as Explained
By Rev. Leadbeater
The Reverend Charles Webster Leadbeater, author of The
Chakras, was born in England in 1847. He worked as a vice-
rector of the Church of England, and became a member of
the Theosophical Society in 1882. This society, founded by
Madame Blavatsky in New York in 1875, promotes studies of
comparative religion, philosophy and science and investi
gates the powers latent in man. In 1884 Leadbeater went to
India to study under the guidance of his guru, and he prac
ticed yoga while serving the society. After years of training
he developed his clairvoyant faculties and investigated
superphysical realms and man's inner constitution, which
resulted in his book, The Chakras, published in 1927. He
traveled and taught throughout the world, finally returning
to India where he passed away in 1934, having written ap
proximately thirty books. *
* For further information on Rev. Leadbeater, see How Theosophy Came to
Me (Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar, Madras, India); also, History
of Theosophy and the Theosophical' Society (Theosophical Society,
Wheaton, Illinois). 190 191
I would like to begin by presenting a summary of Lead-
beater's views on the nature of human existence. Often, says
Leadbeater, the physical body is considered the center of the
human being, with the soul a mere appendage. However, he
contends that the physical body is actually the most superfi
cial dimension of man's being: man is, in fact, a complex
mechanism comprised of physical, etheric, astral, and causal
bodies. These higher bodies, although invisible to the
physical senses, play a vital role in man's existence, keeping
his homeostasis intact and enabling him to reach higher
spiritual realms. Theosophy postulates an invisible physical matter known
as the "etheric" which is differentiated from the normal
physical body. The etheric is the vehicle which allows en
ergy streams of thought, action, and feeling to flow from the
invisible astral body to the denser physical matter, with the
brain cells acting as receptors. * To the clairvoyant, the
etheric body is clearly visible as a mass of faintly luminous
violet-grey mist, interpenetrating the denser parts of the
body and extending very slightly beyond it. Now, the physical body becomes effete as time passes and
requires three basic energy sources for its sustenance: food,
air, and "innate vitality." This vitality is an invisible force
which exists on all planes of the universe; however, in its
physicalistic module it is most closely connected to the con
stitution and functioning of the etheric body. It, in turn, con
tacts the physiological body through the crucial medium of
those invisible centers, the chakras. Existing at the surface of the etheric double, which follows
an outline of the physical body, these force centers serve as
channels of energy between the physical and astral bodies. In their dormant state these chakras are small circles two in-
* In my opinion, the "etheric double" corresponds to the Ki energy flow of
Chinese medicine. ches in diameter which maintain a dull glow. However,
when activated, as in a psychic person, they appear as blaz
ing whirlpools of light. Figuratively speaking, the chakras resemble flowers shoot
ing forth at intervals from a stem, which is the spine. There
are seven major chakras perpetually rotating towards the
primary force. This force - the above-mentioned innate
vitality - is sevenfold in nature, and all its forms correspond
ingly operate in each of the chakras. However, the operation
of the centers is not uniform. For example, certain chakras
in psychics or yogis might be awakened and functioning at a
greater level of intensity than in an ordinary person. Now, let us summarize Leadbeater's description of the
chakras themselves. In his view, when the divine energy of
the cosmos enters each chakra, it sets up secondary force
emanations at right angles. These secondary forces undulate
in a circular motion. At the same time, the primary force
generates straight lines, which resemble stationary spokes
on these wheels of undulating energy. These spokes help to
bind together the astral and etheric bodies. Each force center
has a different number of spokes, which determine the num
ber of waves or "petals" within. Because of this pattern, the
ancient scriptures describe each chakra as a lotus blossom. The secondary forces move in undulations of various sizes,
each with thousands of wave-lengths


 of tobacco can ever be
truly healthy. This avoidance of tobacco is a must of all musts. Sex: Sexuality is rampant all over the world after Frued's theory
of sex was propagated everywhere. Bhagawan Das, a great
theosophist has rightly said that Frued's ·theory of sex and its
propagation has done more harm than the two so-called world wars. Sex in a way is a natural phenomenon but nowa-days it is made
a game on T.V., novels and stories and cinemas. This has made sex
very common among all sorts of men and women and that is the
great cause of general debility among men and women now-a-days. Sex has been enhanced by the use of double bed which is really
a disease bed and sometimes it becomes a deathbed. People do not
understood sex properly. This a veiy serious thing. By over sex, one
loses life force along with wasting semen which is soul of human
life. Control of sex_is a must for,all and it is more so for all patients.. If one indulges in sex after recovery, one again becomes sick. So
control of sex is great must for all. Observation of la~s : In Ayurveda, it is emphatically laid down
that if strict ob5ervation of rules of healthy life is not done, what is
the use of medicine. If these laws are observed, there is no need
of medicines. Such is the great emphasis on the observation of the
laws of healthy life. Why it is so? It is so because as vedanta, Geeta ·
and Bible say that tansgression of laws of life is sin and their pro
per observation is a great merit. This is so because laws of life is
the active form of God Himself. If these laws are broken, God feels
insulted and insulated God cannot behelpful at all. There is great. joy in the observation of laws of life and such a joy is divine and
God too is not far from such a divine joy. so observance of all laws
of righteous life is a divine must... Prayer : Pr.1~·er is the must of all musts a divine must, a
. ~pontaneous must ad without it all cures are secontiary. Pr(!yerwith
a dean life, with pure character and enjoined with the observation·
of a11·taws of sound and healthy l!fe work wonders and this is the
universal experience of all sa ins. One may ask why should one pray
God. Is God a despot who r~quires our flattery to be pleased? l().t
is not so at all True Prayer means finding out one's own divine' self
. because essenti<illy man is God's incarnation. He is so engrossed
in worldly things like money, sex and other base enjoyments that
he forgets his own divine self and becomes a pethy mortal man. So
he must pray in such a way that he can find his own Divine self
who is all heaith, wealth and wisdom. So such a_ prayer is the greatest
Divine must and is the musts of all must the Divine Fundamental
must.. Exercise : Most of the people are so lazy in doing physical
exercise, that they never care for any exercise and that is why they
suffer small or big ailments. It is sheer laziness and carelessness on
the part of such people that they try to avoid physical work. lt. is
a mental attitude· of the most of the people that exercise is only
meant for sportsmen only or only for the athlete$. Really speaking
exercise is physical prayer to keep fit the body. It keeps all systems
of the body quite fit and s_o every one' should do exercise for the
sake health. It is a must for all except those who do manual work
for earning their bread. Yogcic Asiansand calesthenics along with
few simple pranayam Keep fit the whole bodY. and mind too. It is
a last must but not the least and so form a child to an old man, every
·body should to exercise according to one's qw11 need and fitness. New Cases
Urine therapy is so much propagated· not only in Gujarat but in
India and abroad that many books are already written on this very·
Therapy. In Gujarat, Ravajibhai made the start and his noble work
is taken' i.Jp by so many other enthusiasts. Ravajibhai's own son,
Sri Shashikantbhai has inherited his father's faith and enthusiasm and
is carying on his work very well and has continued his father's work. During last several years so many successfur cases by urine therapy
have come to light. Some of the notable cases treated 50 far are
given -below. (1. Sri· Rasiklal M. Shah of Meva:d'~ Str:et, ~nklesaw~r,
Dist. :Bharuch was suffering from pain m the •otenst~ne (pec;•s~
lack of hunger, debilities and cough, tn t~n da~~ e got a~y
his hunger, got relief in· all other matte.rs rn few ays more
this therapy..... B Kh of F/15. Govt Engineering College Reva (M:P.) (2) Sn K.. are'·
got raid of his diabetes by this therapy... h. kl I P Shah of GanJ· Basauda, Dist. :Vidisha in M.P. (3) Sn C ampa a •. got mur;:h relief i.e. relief in.Pitula m 15 days. (4) Sr; H. C. Shukla, 34, Ana~d Na~ar, Raypur, M.P. Found much
adv~ntage. in constipation' by th•s therapy.... 'be of. 309/1.1, Javahar Nagar, Goregoan (VV),
(5
) · ~~m~:~~ge~ 65 has got muc:,:h reliefin cold & cough and other
injurie~. (6) Sri Chamklal Purohit, of Purada, Seemerp~r, ~~~. :P~.i~
Rajastha.n, got much relief in heart trouble an T.. y.! therapy.. ·. K. Bakhora C'o Avadh Kishore Mishra./ Dalmiya (7) Sri V1swa arm a '' · · ·. ·. o· t ·Rohtas Bihar has got notable relief in consttpatton Nagar, ts.., '.. and rel·ief in pain in left testicle also. ·
Smt Cham~rikaben M. Trivedi, 210, ·'Bharat. Na?ar, (Singl~~f)
(8) T I." Roa· d. Bhavangar has got much rehef m a posst· e a aJ,~.,. cancer. (9). Sri Jashabhai Patel, Village Kalyan; Mu~bai had piles trouble
. and he cured this ~ithin a week by this therapy. (1 0) Sri Bhikh~u jamanadas C/o. Dhara;,raj Hotel, Radjkoht, wbas
·.. •1 f tw ty years He cure · t em Y suffe~ing from OOJmg P• es. or en.. this therapy. · be for the lovers of urine. Shivambu Magazine : The st news. b
.. he ublication of shiambu monthly magazme y
therapy Jskabohut ts ~f Nadodara) in Gujarat for the last few years. Yagna Pra as an amJ J. Therein are given good research articles along with many a
suo:;essful cases by urine therapy. fts life membership is only Rs.200,
yearly cost is Rs30 a~d per copy cost is only Rs.2.50. The full
address is like this : Yagna Prakashan Samiti, Nr. Hinglag Temple,
Hazarat Paga, Vadodara. The literature which is published till now
on the subject of urine therapy can be had from there and from the. places shown in the magazine. · ·
o.:. Thanki's's few ca~es : Urine therapy has so much advanced
and is so much propagated that there are many a enthusiasts who
are diligently and intelligently work on this therapy. Prof. Thanki is
one such propagator of this therapy and he uses Accupressure and
magnet therapy as aids to it. He has succeJsfully treated many a
cases with full success. His address is Dr. Mugutlal Thanki, B/3,
Govt. Officers Colony, Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad-16. Phone :
2123445. Some of his successful cases are given below in short. The
details of each treatment is not necessary to be given' as the
principles and treatment are almost the same. Each patient is unique
and so personal guidance can vary from person to person. (1) Sri Amritbhai B. Patel, aged l r;.,. \jillage : Sarsav, Taluka : Kadi,
Dist. : Mehsana, his body Nds at···· and full of dtt


	insisted	that	her	brother	was	operating	the	car. She	asked	it
questions,	as	one	would	a	Ouija	board,	and	the	car	would	go	left	or	right	to
signal	yes	or	no. Months	later	Enrico’s	father	happened	to	be	in	India,	and	he	went	to	a
jyotishi
,	or	astrologer. Certain	jyotishis	do	not	cast	your	chart	but	consult
already	written	charts,	many	dating	back	centuries,	that	apply	to	the	person
who	comes	for	a	reading. (This	decision	is	made	according	to	the	time	a
person	appears	and	by	matching	certain	personal	data	with	charts	that	the
astrologer	has	on	hand. ) This	was	true	of	my	friend,	who	was	told	the
following	story:	In	his	previous	lifetime	he	had	lived	on	the	west	coast	of
India. He	was	desperate	to	have	a	son,	but	unfortunately	his	wife	was	barren. The	couple	adopted	a	baby	boy	when	suddenly	she	became	pregnant	and	in
time	delivered	a	boy	of	their	own. After	the	biological	son’s	birth,	the	father	began	to	ignore	the	adopted	boy
and	abuse	him. Tormented	by	this,	the	boy	committed	suicide	at	exactly	the
same	age	as	Enrico. The	astrologer	told	my	friend	that	there	was	a	connection
here. The	former	son	was	reborn	as	Enrico,	and	he	committed	suicide	again	to
show	his	father	what	it	was	like	to	lose	a	real	son. Naturally,	my	friend	was
quite	shaken	to	hear	this,	but	when	he	met	me	some	months	later,	he	said	that
the	final	result	was	a	sense	of	peace. He	had	come	to	terms	with	Enrico’s
tragic	death	and	understood	the	karma	behind	it. I	have	no	idea	how	many	readers	will	scoff	at	this	tale	and	how	many	will
consider	it	uncanny	but	possibly	true. To	me,	it	says	a	great	deal	about	how
mysteriously	life	and	death	are	woven	together. They	are	two	aspects	of	the
same	creative	act. Our	brains	are	set	up
to
	operate	in	time	and	space. We	do
not	witness	the	mechanics	of	creation	outside	that	framework. But	the	life	you
are	experiencing	now,	the	one	that	preceded	it,	and	the	one	that	will	follow
didn’t	appear	out	of	nowhere. They	appeared	through	a	continuous,	evolving
consciousness—the	real	you. There	is	a	gap	between	lifetimes	that	we	cannot
observe,	yet	your	soul	keeps	track	of	you	as	you	enter	the	gap	and	reemerge. Consciousness	doesn’t	lose	track	of	itself;	the	zero	point	of	the	soul	is	just	as
capable	of	correlating	events	across	time	and	space	as	the	Zero	Point	Field	is. In	this	story	father	and	son	remained	joined	across	the	gap	between	birth
and	death. They	unconsciously	recognized	each	other,	they	carried	out	a
common	purpose,	and	they	worked	out	karma	together—all	these	things
defied	death. At	the	same	time	their	physical	bodies,	their	private	memories,
and	their	sense	of	identity	were	transient—these	didn’t	survive	death. Nature
is	built	from	the	same	intricate	relationships. The	oxygen	atoms	locked	in	a
water	molecule	or	in	your	brain	are	still	themselves,	but	they	have	learned	to
relate	in	a	totally	new	way,	making	it	seem	as	if	each	separate	atom	has
vanished—that	is	to	say,	died. I	can’t	emphasize	enough	that	if	science	cannotexplain	the	emergence	of	wetness	from	dryness,	it	cannot	explain	the
emergence	of	consciousness	in	the	brain. True	creative	leaps	are	always
inexplicable	and	therefore	miraculous. The	Source	of	Everything
What	science	should	do	is	hold	the	miracle	under	a	microscope	to	get	closer
to	where	creation	occurs. There	are	faint	physical	traces	to	be	followed	down
to	a	very	subtle	level. It	has	long	been	known	that	the	brain,	and	the	body	as	a
whole,	is	surrounded	by	a	very	weak	electromagnetic	field. With	the	proper
photographic	emulsion,	this	field	can	be	seen	to	glow;	the	minuscule	electric
charge	given	off	by
neurons
	as	they	fire	is	also	measurable. If	being	conscious
creates	an	energy	field,	can	an	energy	field	display	consciousness. You	would
think	that	since	the	brain	depends	on	electrical	signals,	it	would	be	affected	by
the	murky	soup	of	radio,	television,	microwave,	and	many	other
electromagnetic	emissions	that	surround	us. Apparently	this	isn’t	true. Parapsychology	researchers	have	gone	so	far	as	to	isolate	subjects	with
psychic	abilities	in	Faraday	cages	that	block	all	electromagnetic	energy
without	altering	their	abilities	to	see	at	a	distance	or	exhibit	other	psychic
phenomena. The	case	of	“remote	viewing”	is	especially	intriguing	because	so
much	credible	work	has	been	done	in	this	field. Many	experiments	have	been	conducted	in	remote	viewing,	commonly
called	clairvoyance,	but	one	of	the	most	notable	took	place	at	Stanford
University,	where	scientists	built	a	machine	called	a	SQUID,	or
superconducting	quantum	interference	device. It’s	enough	for	us	to	know	that
this	device,	which	measures	the	activity	of	subatomic	particles,	specifically
quarks,	is	very	well	shielded	from	all	outside	magnetic	forces. This	shielding
begins	with	layers	of	copper	and	aluminum,	but	to	fully	ensure	that	no	outside
force	can	affect	the	mechanism,	exotic	metals	wrap	the	inner	core. In	1972	a	SQUID	was	installed	in	the	basement	of	a	laboratory	at
Stanford,	apparently	doing	nothing	except	tracing	out	the	same	hill-and-valley
S-curve	on	a	length	of	graph	paper. This	curve	represented	the	constant
magnetic	field	of	the	Earth;	if	a	quark	passed	through	the	field	the	machine
would	register	it	with	changes	in	the	pattern	being	drawn. A	young	laser
physicist	named	Hal	Puthoff	(later	to	become	a	noted	quantum	theorist)
decided	that	aside	from	its	main	use,	the	SQUID	would	make	a	perfect	test	of
psychic	powers. Very	few	people,	including	the	scientists	at	Sanford,	knew
the	inner	workings	of	the	machine. A	letter	Puthoff	wrote	in	search	of	a	psychic	who	would	take	up	the
challenge	drew	a	response	from	Ingo	Swann,	a	New	York	artist
with
	psychic
abilities. Swann	was	flown	to	California	without	being	told	in	advance	about
either	the	test	or	the	SQUID. When	he	first	saw	it,	he	seemed	a	bit	put	off. Buthe	agreed	to	“look”	inside	the	machine,	and	as	he	did,	the	S-curve	on	the
graph	paper	changed	pattern—something	it	almost	never	did—only	to	go
back	to	its	normal	functioning	as	soon	as	Swann	stopped	paying	attention	to
it. A	startled	Puthoff	asked	him	to	repeat	this,	so	for	forty-five	seconds
Swann	concentrated	upon	seeing	the	inside	of	the	machine,	and	for	exactly
that	interval	the	recording	device	drew	a	new	pattern,	a	long	plateau	on	the
paper	instead	of	hills	and	valleys. Swann	then	drew	a	sketch	of	what	he	saw
as	the	inner	workings	of	the	SQUID,	and	when	these	were


 (cold infusion)
or Phanta Kalpana (hot infusion).7. Which Ayurvedic
Medicine Form Is Very
Effective? Y
e traditional Ayurvedic doctors use Kashayams quite frequently in their
practice. Because, it is believed that – Rogaha sarve api mandagnau – All
diseases are caused due to indigestion/lessened digestive capacity. It means,
while treating the disease, we need to give priority for digestion and
carminative properties (Deepana and Pachana). First, we need to empower the patient by improving the digestion power. For improving digestion strength, decoctions (Kashayams) are very useful. Even a coolant herb, when administered in the form of Kashayam, gains hot
potency. For example: Chandanadi kashaya – Sandalwood has coolant property, when
it is formulated in Kashayam form, it gains digestive and carminative eﬀect. Whereas, sandalwood does not have carminative eﬀect by itself. is eﬀect
cannot be expected, if herbal ghee or herbal jam is made out of sandalwood. For this reason Kashayam is the preferred dosage form. It may be fever,
arthritis, Vata disorders (neuro – muscular disorders), even in bilious
conditions (Pitta disorders) or Kapha disorders, rst preference is given to
Kashayams. If a person is not willing to take Kashayam, then next preferred dosage form
is Phanta (hot infusions).Nowadays, transportation, patient’s convenience, better taste preference etc
are given much importance. Hence, tablets and capsules are becoming
increasingly popular among Ayurvedic physicians and patients. It is also seen that, due to good taste, swift therapeutic action, long dosage
form, Asava and Arishta preparations (like Vidangarishta, Panchasav) are
widely prescribed. Nowadays, due to increase health awareness in the public, Avalehas – herbal
jams like Chyawanaprash, Brahma Rasayana, Kooshmanda Rasayana are also
quite commonly used. Overall, based on eﬃcacy and utility criteria, Kashayam dosage form is the
clear winner. A Summary of Utility of Diﬀerent Dosage Forms –
When you need to give coolant eﬀect or when the herb has many volatile
principles, go for cold infusion (Hima). When you need to give moderately coolant eﬀect or when the herb has
moderate heat tolerant phyto – chemicals, go for hot infusion (Phanta). When you seek immediate absorption of herbs which can tolerate heat, go
for Kashaya (herbal decoction). When Kashaya is too strong, go for weaker form of Kashaya (herbal drink –
Paneeya) or Yavagu (weak decoction). When you are targeting respiratory tract and are including some spices,
when you want the medicine to start show its action from the level of oral
cavity, make them into ne powder and administer with ghee/oil/ honey etc. When you want advantage of minimal dosage, easy transportation etc, when
you are okay if the medicine starts acting at the level of stomach, then go for
tablets/capsules.When you want fat soluble principles in your medicine, go for herbal ghee
or herbal oil preparations. When you want fermented liquids that are strong, go for Asava and Arishta. When you want water soluble, fat soluble principles, spices, nourishing
agents like ghee, sugar, jaggery etc in your medicine, then go for Avaleha –
herbal jams.1. 2. 3. 4. •8. How Natural Herbal
Home Remedies Are Useful
to You? Y
Natural herbal home remedies are one of the eﬀective ways to help ght the
disease and maintain health. When used with discretion and intelligence,
herbal home remedies can even be life – saving. Here is a look at the diﬀerent
ways how natural remedies can be helpful to you. Benets of Herbal Remedies –
In an Illness, when consulting a doctor is delayed, then use of herbal
remedies is the best way to keep the symptoms under control. Along with Medicine – In some illnesses, herbal remedies help to cure
the disease along with medicines. But here, special care should be taken
while choosing the herbal remedy because a few herbs react with
certain allopathic medicines. After Recovery from Illness – Some diseases leave you tired and
debilitated. Herbal remedies help you to regain health, strength,
digestion capacity, restoration/correction of functionality of organs
aﬀected. Chronic Illnesses – For diseases requiring treatment for long time,
herbal remedies helps in many ways. Home remedies help to keep the symptoms of the diseases under
control. Eg: Home remedies for ulcerative colitis help to keep the•
•
5. •
•
•
•bleeding with defecation under check. Home remedies help to relieve the side eﬀects of the allopathic
medicines. To restore strength. In healthy person,
Herbal remedies are helpful to negotiate health eﬀects of seasonal
change on health. Home remedies help in proper growth and normal functioning of
body organs and systems. Eg: Ashwagandha ghee home remedy to
promote growth. Home remedies help to relieve minor health complaints such as
constipation, acne, common cold, minor wound etc. Eg: Ginger
powder with honey for common cold. Home remedies help to improve immune system. Eg: Guduchi
kashaya remedy used in children help to improve immune system. Overall, use of natural remedies is a great way to maintain good health. But
choice of the remedy should be made with special care and knowledge. It is
always better to seek expert advice while choosing a home remedy for you.1. 2. 3. •
•9. Herbal Home Remedies –
Precautions to Consider
Y
Herbs have natural chemicals that possess qualities that benet our health or
help to cure diseases. While it is fun and exciting to choose and use herbal
home remedies, few precautions are necessary. Do Not Use Home Remedies as Substitute for Regular Medicine
It is better not to replace regular medicines with home remedies. In
case of herbal remedies, xing the dosage, quantifying the eﬃcacy is
relatively diﬃcult. Be Careful While Trying Multiple Herbal Remedies
Two herbs or herbal combinations may react with each other to exhibit
mutually promoting or opposing health eﬀects. Hence special care
needs to be taken. Consult an Herbalist
We are never the best judge for our own health. I myself consult my
colleagues for my health conditions. Hence it is always better to
consult an herbal specialist. An herbal doctor herbalist will be having
the knowledge regarding –
Active components and mode of action of herbs/herbal
combinations. Probable reactions and side eﬀects of natural remedies.•
•
4. 5. 6. •
•
•
•
•Probable interaction of herbal remedies with allopathic medicines. Suitability of herbal remedies as per age, health condition, body
constitution and disease. Reveal About Home Remedies to Your Allopathic Doctor
It helps the doctor to make the right choice of medicines with right
dose. Some herbs react with allopathic medicines, either positively or
negatively. Do a Research Yourself
After your herbal expert has suggested herbs for you, do a research and
get to know more about those herbal remedies. Feel free to discuss your
doubts with the herbal doctor. A genuine Ayurveda expert will always
be open to answer your questions. Take Herbal Remedies in a Proper Manner
Taking herbal medicines before food will have diﬀerent eﬀect on
the body when compared to taking them after food. Taking herbal remedies with cold water will have diﬀerent eﬀect on
the body when compared to taking them with hot water. Eating fruits before or after herbal remedies will have diﬀerent
eﬀect when compared to having meals before or after herbs. Taking Ayurvedic remedies in the morning will have a diﬀerent
eﬀect on health when compared to taking them in evening. Same herb can exhibit diﬀerent actions on diﬀerent persons and in
diﬀerent health conditions.•
•
•10. How to Make a Remedy
with Any Ayurvedic Herb? Y
If you go through any herb explanation, you will nd that each herb is
given a set of qualities and a set of disease indications. But a common
man can be perplexed how to use that herb in those diseases. For example, Ashwagandha root is told to have pungent, bitter and
astringent tastes, unctuousness, lightness qualities, it is hot in potency
and it balances all the three Doshas, especially Kapha and Vata Dosha. It is used in stress, anxiety, sleep problems, hypertension etc. But, how to use Ashwagandha? In which form? If you know few basic principles about Ayurvedic dosage forms and
Tridosha Principles, you can make your own recipes out of that herb
for