Book Reviews (June 2010)

Christopher K. Johannes PhD & Harry E. van der Zee MD Hom, (Editors). Homeopathy and Mental Health Care: Integrative Practice, Principles and Research, Haren, The Netherlands: Homeolinks Publishers 2010   339 pp   29,95 Euros/ US$54.95

Christopher Johannes and Harry van der Zee have brought us a thorough, much needed summary of the benefits of homeopathy for mental health issues. While a brief review does not do justice to this comprehensive volume, let me summarize some of the highlights:

Dr. Manish Bhatia, from India reviews global mental health problems and some of the limitations of medication treatments for depression, psychosis and anxiety. He reviews the meta-analyses of homeopathy for general medical problems, finding substantive evidence that homeopathy produces significant effects in a variety of diseases. He
reviews 40 studies of homeopathy for various mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, drug abuse, insomnia, stress and general wellbeing. No meta-analyses of homeopathy for mental health issues has been published. Much further discussion is provided later in this book on research and ethical issues in mental health.

Iris R. Bell, MD PhD MD(H) and Mary Koithan, RN PhD, USA consider the transformational changes produced by homeopathy. Their case reports are helpful in fleshing out the human responses on all levels of their being to homeopathic remedies. I also contribute a discussion on wholistic, spiritual aspects of homeopathy, pointing out the ways in which these remedies bring people into more complete awareness and fuller relationships with body, emotions, mind, relationships (with other people and the environment) and spirit.

Much of this helpful book considers ways in which homeopathy can be used in integrative care, offering people the best of allopathic and homeopathic approaches. Judyth Reichenberg‐Ullman, ND DHANP LCSW & Robert Ullman, ND DHANP, (USA) consider homeopathic treatment of children with behavioral and learning problems; Edward Shalts, MD DHt ABPN ABHT ABHM, (USA) on Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Homeopathic practitioners from Japan, the UK and USA remind homeopathic practitioners of the importance of including counseling along with the remedies. These and other homeopaths suggest that Rogerian and Jungian approaches are particularly resonant with the philosophy and spectrum of effects of homeopathic treatments. Of particular interest, which I have not seen before, is the discussion of Joseph Rozencwajg, MD PhD NMD (New Zealand) on using the tools of Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis to prescribe homeopathic remedies for psychological problems.

The last chapter, by Prof. Dr. Traian D. Stănciulescu (Romania), explores a variety of theories and models for bioenergy and resonance explanations for homeopathy.
Chapter 20 Neuro‐Psychical (Dis)Orders and Homeopathy: Biophotonic Connections

This is an excellent resource for anyone seeking homeopathic remedies for dealing with psychological problems. As with any wholistic healing approach, remember that the therapist is as important as the modality.

Review by Daniel J. Benor, MD, IJHC Editor in Chief

Nick Trout, DVM. Tell Me Where It Hurts: A day of humor, healing and hope in my life as an animal surgeon. North Kingstown, RI: BBC Audiobooks America   8 CDs (9 hrs 15 min).  US$29.95
Paperback – NY: Broadway/Crown/Random House 2009.   304 pp   $14.00

This is a marvelously insightful and informative story of a very busy day in the life of a veterinary surgeon. Nick Trout is a keen observer of animal and human behaviors, a marvelous family therapist and a consummate storyteller. This combination provides excellent fare for anyone who cares for animals and has a long car ride ahead of them. More often than not, a major portion of the veterinary surgical intervention involves meticulous inquiries, clarifications of details, detective work and psychotherapy, in addition to a wide fund of animal care knowledge and dexterous hands. Trout recounts heartwarming memories of dogs and cats whom he treated for everything from ingested sox and shoelaces to cancers and various other common and obscure problems.

Trout also shares the stories of how he became interested in becoming a veterinarian and how he encourages the student vets under his supervision to deepen their understanding and skills in animal care – including the management of their human 'parents.'

This book is very highly recommended. I found the audio version utterly engaging, transforming a long drive into a very enjoyable experience.

Review by Daniel J. Benor, MD, IJHC Editor in Chief