Ecological Medicine: Healing the Earth, Healing Ourselves

by Kenny Ausubel (Editor), J.P. Harpignies (With), Andrew Weil (Foreword)

In this pathfinding book, many of the world’s leading health visionaries show how human health is inescapably dependent on the health of our environment. Drawn largely from presentations given at the annual Bioneers Conference, it focuses on pragmatic solutions growing at the fertile interface between environmental restoration and holistic healing. The Bioneers (“biological pioneers”) are a network of scientists, writers, economists, artists, and others with practical and visionary solutions for our most pressing environmental and social challenges.
Advocates of the emerging movement known as Ecological Medicine look to the strategic public health measures that first do no harm to the environment and, in turn, improve human health. They call for prevention and precaution as the first line of action. They seek to heal the tragic split that conventional medicine made from nature, and to conjure nature’s own mysterious capacity for self-repair. They celebrate the virtues of ancient natural medicine but also embrace an integrative approach that blends the best of all healing practices—emphasizing the centrality of the human spirit in the healing process. Their inspiring work, described so compellingly in this book, is of critical relevance to everyone concerned about health and the environment.

Genres: Health, Science, Environment, Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this book as I was searching through the online catalog of my local library to find information about more natural and balanced living. I like to be informed about lifestyle choices and felt myself drawn to holistic living but was hesitant about what information being publicly circulated was reliable and valid. This book was very eye-opening and challenging. It contains essays from educated experts on environment, medicine, psychology, and government. Some of the information was scary, but a lot of it was very hopeful to. I will value the information I gained from this book as a part of my journey toward more balanced living.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a collection of essays from the first Bioneers Conference, and basically makes the case for how the medical profession has become completely out of step with promoting health and wellness in communities, and what can be done to change. There were a few intriguing ideas presented, but nothing earth shattering. A good read overall.