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The Science of Natural Healing
In the 21st century, the Western paradigm for healthcare is changing. Notwithstanding the great strengths of medical science, many people now have concerns about key features of our health-care system-among them, the widespread use of medical drugs and a relative deemphasis on preventive care. But traditional Western medicine is not the only healing system rooted in science. Medical systems from other cultures, including those of India and China, have used natural treatments for centuries, some of which are now directly influencing our own health-care professions. These approaches not only emphasize healing with natural substances, but devote considerable attention to illness prevention and healthful living by considering the whole person rather than just targeting a condition. What is the most effective way to nurture your own optimal health? Are there sound alternatives to the drugs so common in our health-care system, which can carry unwanted consequences and side effects? What about the range of natural methods, such as herbal medications, micronutrients, and the use of food itself as medicine? Are these approaches valid? And, if so, can we integrate the best of Western medicine with the best natural treatments to enjoy prime health and longevity?
Audio CD
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 10, 2022
Dr. Mimi Guarneri (Dr. G) provides a broad overview of many different topics that fall under the realm of natural healing with a heavy emphasis on what we put into our bodies, i.e. diet and nutrition, supplements and herbal remedies. The scope of the lectures looks at treating the whole person - body, mind, emotions, and spirit, and seeks to identify the underlying causes of disease and provide solutions that treat and prevent many chronic illnesses.
Listening to these lectures certainly does feel like sitting in a college course, and it’s a nice introduction to topics that I had seen or heard briefly mentioned elsewhere. Dr. G gives you enough information to understand the positive health aspects and benefits but not so much that you feel overwhelmed or bogged down. There’s also a fair amount of repetition and review, allowing you to really take in the information. I feel well prepared for the final exam!
I took a few notes on the topics and advice that I wanted to research more, and I really appreciated the course guidebook to go back and review earlier lectures and suggestions. Collectively, the lectures are a nice reminder that good health is best achieved through a holistic approach to disease treatment and prevention, and that each person has the power to be their own best medicine.
Listening to these lectures certainly does feel like sitting in a college course, and it’s a nice introduction to topics that I had seen or heard briefly mentioned elsewhere. Dr. G gives you enough information to understand the positive health aspects and benefits but not so much that you feel overwhelmed or bogged down. There’s also a fair amount of repetition and review, allowing you to really take in the information. I feel well prepared for the final exam!
I took a few notes on the topics and advice that I wanted to research more, and I really appreciated the course guidebook to go back and review earlier lectures and suggestions. Collectively, the lectures are a nice reminder that good health is best achieved through a holistic approach to disease treatment and prevention, and that each person has the power to be their own best medicine.
October 21, 2017
Disclaimer: I am 72 years cold with 14 years of college level courses and well over 1000 books read. So with that said; consider this. I am half way through this 24 lesson (30 minutes each) course. I have learned more about food, supplements, diets and overall health than in all my 72 years of education and books. I can't help but wonder if any of this material is being taught in our school systems. Based upon the number of grossly overweight children I see, I doubt it.
WOW, this course is so much more than I initially thought I was getting into. There is so much material to digest from a physician who had a change of heart in the way she practiced medicine. I could only hope that my physicians would be so concerned with me as she obviously is with her patients. So much so that she was willing to change the way she approached practicing medicine and now incorporates into her practice all types of medicine, eastern and western. From pills, to supplements, to herbs, to minerals. What to eat, what not to eat. Towards the end of the course she spends a great deal of time on fixing a person's attitude because as she states, "change your thinking; you can change your outcomes." That works in both directions - you can think yourself sick or your can think yourself well. You choose.
My advice to anyone who reads this review would be to take the course; you will not regret it. The people who could benefit the most are the younger generation because she lays out a plan that if followed should lead to a more healthy life. Of course the material applies to everyone, especially me at 72 having had a 5-Bypass heart repair. Just proves, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks. Just wish I had learned them much earlier in my life. Throughout the entire course, I had the feeling that Dr. G was talking directly to me almost as if she and I were the only two people in the room, over a cup of coffee and she is sharing all of her education and experience with me; just me.
One of my rating criteria is "Would I purchase this book/DVD/CD/or in this case Course as a gift? For the record, I already have! Who should take the course? EVERYONE! Would I take the course again? Most definitely. Way too much good material to think you could absorb it in just one pass through. 12 Hours of material.
WOW, this course is so much more than I initially thought I was getting into. There is so much material to digest from a physician who had a change of heart in the way she practiced medicine. I could only hope that my physicians would be so concerned with me as she obviously is with her patients. So much so that she was willing to change the way she approached practicing medicine and now incorporates into her practice all types of medicine, eastern and western. From pills, to supplements, to herbs, to minerals. What to eat, what not to eat. Towards the end of the course she spends a great deal of time on fixing a person's attitude because as she states, "change your thinking; you can change your outcomes." That works in both directions - you can think yourself sick or your can think yourself well. You choose.
My advice to anyone who reads this review would be to take the course; you will not regret it. The people who could benefit the most are the younger generation because she lays out a plan that if followed should lead to a more healthy life. Of course the material applies to everyone, especially me at 72 having had a 5-Bypass heart repair. Just proves, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks. Just wish I had learned them much earlier in my life. Throughout the entire course, I had the feeling that Dr. G was talking directly to me almost as if she and I were the only two people in the room, over a cup of coffee and she is sharing all of her education and experience with me; just me.
One of my rating criteria is "Would I purchase this book/DVD/CD/or in this case Course as a gift? For the record, I already have! Who should take the course? EVERYONE! Would I take the course again? Most definitely. Way too much good material to think you could absorb it in just one pass through. 12 Hours of material.
October 5, 2019
2.5 stars rounded up due to it motivating me to eat more whole foods. There were medical inaccuracies in this audiobook and a clear bias in picking research studies. Some inaccuracies were not things that have changed since this book was published. For example, she stated numerous times that oats contain gluten and that's simply wrong. One has to be careful when selecting oats because they are transported in trucks that have also transported wheat, rye, and barley, but oats themselves do not contain gluten. Other inaccuracies might be due to outdated medical information. This overall was a disappointing series and Guarneri isn't a very effective lecturer. There are long pauses for no reason and she's repetitive. Overall, not a course I'd recommend.
May 2, 2013
I've listened to a lot of great courses. Dr. Mimi Guarneri is not one of their best presenters, but her passion fo the material, and the quality of the material presented, make this one of their best. I was initially turned off by the slow pace of her verbal presentation, and the almost dumbed down level of the presentation. Two things occurred that made me revise her presentation score upward: first, she got a bit better after the first couple of discs, and second, I realized that, as a longtime clinician, she is used to being very careful with her communication, so for her, it's not about cramming in as much information as possible, but about being understood. So perhaps a bit a patience is warranted.
Despite the slow start, the quality of the material is excellent. A lot of the focus is on nutrition, and how a good approach to eating addresses a host of health issues. There's a lot of great information about food sensitivity and allergies, cholesterol, and high blood pressure. There's no fervor like the converted, and Dr. G came to holistic integrative medicine relatively late in her career. She explains how and why she changed her worldview about holistic medicine, and makes a compelling case. The second half moves more into the emotional and spiritual domain, and she talks about how bring yoga and meditation into therapy produced greatly improved outcomes.
Highly recommended.
Despite the slow start, the quality of the material is excellent. A lot of the focus is on nutrition, and how a good approach to eating addresses a host of health issues. There's a lot of great information about food sensitivity and allergies, cholesterol, and high blood pressure. There's no fervor like the converted, and Dr. G came to holistic integrative medicine relatively late in her career. She explains how and why she changed her worldview about holistic medicine, and makes a compelling case. The second half moves more into the emotional and spiritual domain, and she talks about how bring yoga and meditation into therapy produced greatly improved outcomes.
Highly recommended.
July 19, 2017
The author is too biased towards alternative medicine (she claims that she is not). But still, large part of the lectures is good. Lots of good nutritional advice, links of health and ecology and environment, advice how to reduce stress, and some more good stuff.
But then, near the end of lectures... When talking about some traditional medicine, she mentions that research has shown that some of traditional treatments are no better than placebo. Yet when talking about healing touch, acupuncture, homeopathy - she does not mention research that compared such things to placebo. If she knows someone who got better after she placed hands on his arm - that's it, this works! :)
But then, near the end of lectures... When talking about some traditional medicine, she mentions that research has shown that some of traditional treatments are no better than placebo. Yet when talking about healing touch, acupuncture, homeopathy - she does not mention research that compared such things to placebo. If she knows someone who got better after she placed hands on his arm - that's it, this works! :)
April 8, 2020
Reinvigorated my enthusiasm for natural and alternative medicine. This course was a affirmation of much of the natural health knowledge I've collected over the years, even some of that far our stuff like biofield medicine. I feel more confident than ever that I'm on the right track to live the healthiest life I can. I'd highly recommend this to anyone looking to regain a sense of control over their health and well-being.
May 5, 2020
Mimi Guarneri is a med school grad who went rogue. She wouldn't put it that way but I think that sums up how much her view of doctoring has changed. She no longer spends her days inserting stents into clogged arteries; she now tries to prevent the clogged arteries. Her characterization of modern American medicine seems spot on to me: diagnose and prescribe. There is a pill for everything and that's what doctors do. She now believes that food is your best medicine and exercise and stress reduction will help patients avoid illness. She also has a word or two to say about meat. She believes everyone would be better off if they went vegan and the world would be better off too. I am surprised that she doesn't mention 'Diet for a Small Planet,' which described the hell holes we call feedlots back in the early 1970s. It takes a long time for the message to get out, especially when a powerful industry has a vested interest in keeping the message buried. I like her approach and I wish she were my doctor.
February 19, 2019
This lecture series is great positive reinforcement for living a healthier life now. Dr. G. goes through all facets of Natural Healing and if I remember one thing it’s that ‘food is first.’
I remember when my Aunt B died, my father received a letter a few days after her death. I vividly remember that she wrote “She was tired of taking all these pills.”
Dr. G. says that we are often “Ill to the pill “ in Western medicine. Meaning that for many reasons physicians prescribe pills and patients generally believe this is the best and only thing needed.
I’m trying to live a healthier life. It’s not easy to change my habits. I believe that my health is a combination of several factors and that sometimes pills do fit into my health. But Natural Healing is very powerful and I am trying to harness that power within me. I enjoy lectures like this because hearing such a compassionate physician like Dr. G. is very helpful on my journey.
I remember when my Aunt B died, my father received a letter a few days after her death. I vividly remember that she wrote “She was tired of taking all these pills.”
Dr. G. says that we are often “Ill to the pill “ in Western medicine. Meaning that for many reasons physicians prescribe pills and patients generally believe this is the best and only thing needed.
I’m trying to live a healthier life. It’s not easy to change my habits. I believe that my health is a combination of several factors and that sometimes pills do fit into my health. But Natural Healing is very powerful and I am trying to harness that power within me. I enjoy lectures like this because hearing such a compassionate physician like Dr. G. is very helpful on my journey.
April 19, 2016
I really have enjoyed these lecture series from "The Great Courses." I love the classroom feel but the opportunity to rewind when I get distracted or excessively interested, fast-forward when I feel the need to reach the point sooner, and choose when and what and who I listen to. Most importantly, I was able to listen while doing something else (usually exercising).
In this particular course, I felt continually motivated to surround myself with good and to do good (which is a great way to start a new year). I felt the lecturer to be quite interesting, motivating, and knowledgeable. I love her tree analogy and her ideas about nourishing the soil in which we (and those we love) grow. I felt I was able to obtain a better general understanding of wholistic medicine, and know that I could look back to the guidebook for more specifics.
In this particular course, I felt continually motivated to surround myself with good and to do good (which is a great way to start a new year). I felt the lecturer to be quite interesting, motivating, and knowledgeable. I love her tree analogy and her ideas about nourishing the soil in which we (and those we love) grow. I felt I was able to obtain a better general understanding of wholistic medicine, and know that I could look back to the guidebook for more specifics.
January 5, 2015
Dr Mimi Guarneri did a great job in introducing the basic information about natural healing. The informative lectures covered nutrition, food, stress management, and spiritual health along with medical knowledge and scientific research. With her own experiences added, the lecture series provided not only good knowledge about health, but also lots of inspiration to cultivate good, healthy habits.
August 20, 2018
Really important information on how to heal yourself with the right foods... very understandable and applicable. Listened to the audio in my car...worked out best for me.
July 12, 2020
Dr. G's background as a cardiologist is what makes this book so good. I loved her story from early on in her career when she just handed out pills, put in stints and then had conversations with patients eating roast beef sandwiches drenched in mayo without thinking about the correlation. From there to discovering that food is the ultimate medicine and can solve a lot of our problems that pills just allow us to ignore.
This book has made me think a little bit more about organic foods as well. As a vegetarian I never fully bought into going full organic but listening to Dr. G talk about food sensitivities and allergies has revealed something to me. How our bodies all react slightly different to what we put in it and how it is really easy to live with problems that we can avoid if we are a little more attuned to our bodies. Using an elimination diet to figure out what our bodies are sensitive towards and then to think that some foods have up to 42 chemicals on them if they aren't organic. Each one possibly reacting negatively with the body. There won't be a positive reaction... I've been thinking about that a lot more now.
This book has made me think a little bit more about organic foods as well. As a vegetarian I never fully bought into going full organic but listening to Dr. G talk about food sensitivities and allergies has revealed something to me. How our bodies all react slightly different to what we put in it and how it is really easy to live with problems that we can avoid if we are a little more attuned to our bodies. Using an elimination diet to figure out what our bodies are sensitive towards and then to think that some foods have up to 42 chemicals on them if they aren't organic. Each one possibly reacting negatively with the body. There won't be a positive reaction... I've been thinking about that a lot more now.
February 18, 2025
This lecture series is a decent overall introduction to some of the ideas and concepts that surround natural healing.
As the world of natural medicine is extremely rich with ancient texts and practices, this lecture series may be a good place to start for anyone looking to get oriented as to where they can begin to dive deeper.
There were a few conclusions from studies that were mentioned by the doctor that in recent years have been challenged by new or improved studies. This is important to note as it may affect the advice that the doctor would feel comfortable giving. I will say however, in the doctor's defense that that is simply just the nature of medicine in the 21st century. Science is continually being done, which is why I strongly agree with the idea of “loosely holding strong beliefs” when it comes to health as things will almost certainly change at some point.
As the world of natural medicine is extremely rich with ancient texts and practices, this lecture series may be a good place to start for anyone looking to get oriented as to where they can begin to dive deeper.
There were a few conclusions from studies that were mentioned by the doctor that in recent years have been challenged by new or improved studies. This is important to note as it may affect the advice that the doctor would feel comfortable giving. I will say however, in the doctor's defense that that is simply just the nature of medicine in the 21st century. Science is continually being done, which is why I strongly agree with the idea of “loosely holding strong beliefs” when it comes to health as things will almost certainly change at some point.
January 12, 2024
Outdated and underresearched. Much of the information has been proven wrong since the printing of the book. Needs heavy overhaul. I liked the basis of the book, and think in many ways it is informative to beginners. Can feel preachy in some areas and under informed in others. Wanted to like it, but left underwhelmed and disappointed.
October 7, 2017
I try to stay up to date with the latest in nutrition and alternative medicine, especially when it comes to diet and vitamins. Even so, Mimi had a lot of new scientific evidence and studies to share that I did not know about. Things you can put into practice immediately. Highly recommend.
August 13, 2020
I gave it 5 lectures but I really just didn’t like her lecture style. Long pauses and awkward story telling make it seem like she’s just making stuff up at times. She lost me when she started giving general recipes on what she personally considers to be good foods.
September 1, 2017
Very interesting way to learn more on natural health concepts.
October 8, 2017
The witches in Prachett's books would call this headology.
December 13, 2017
Great information
August 6, 2018
These are audio lectures. The lectures could get a little dry due to the speakers voice but overall the information was very good and interesting.
September 25, 2018
Excellent information.
October 25, 2020
Fantastic good info.
March 31, 2021
her presentation = NOT for everybody.
her information = FOR EVERYONE to at least consider
* I won't say "trust the science"...but why wouldn't you?
her information = FOR EVERYONE to at least consider
* I won't say "trust the science"...but why wouldn't you?
April 8, 2021
Well I am educated now, so now I need to take action. I like the common sense examples to motivate change along with the facts. Both are provided entertainingly and in terms to understand.
February 7, 2023
Good! The author even shouted out veganism but not until the very end (sus). Also discussed humans destroying the environment, and therefore their own health.
May 15, 2024
Great course. I learned a lot of different techniques and alternative methods other than medication .
July 18, 2016
This Great Courses course took me a while to finish. I think that the only thing needed to give this a 4-star rating would be to shorten the course a bit. On the one hand, rather than eliminate any of the topics, I might have preferred just a little bit less on each. On the other hand, part of my dilemma is that I am not very capable of skipping around an audio book, even when I have a print guide. It's either too much effort, or I am afraid I will miss out on something. So I found myself sort of pushing my way through lectures on conditions that don't affect me or anyone in my household and, therefore, didn't interest me as much. But once I disconnected, I had to make an effort to pay attention even to the lectures that were more pertinent.
I also got overwhelmed by all the descriptions of supplements and supplement recommendations. Maybe if I had been listening with a notebook where I could jot down the suggestions it would have felt more manageable, but that section was a little overwhelming.
Even before the course, no one needed to convince me that integrative medicine is a good approach. Overall, I thought the information was interesting and relevant.
I also got overwhelmed by all the descriptions of supplements and supplement recommendations. Maybe if I had been listening with a notebook where I could jot down the suggestions it would have felt more manageable, but that section was a little overwhelming.
Even before the course, no one needed to convince me that integrative medicine is a good approach. Overall, I thought the information was interesting and relevant.
May 8, 2014
Incredible! Listen to this and you'll gain so much more in your life!
July 2, 2014
Amazing! comprehensive of all dimensions of human health. A must read to every health care professional or any client.
April 19, 2015
Really liked & would recommend to everyone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews