There is a scripture quote on Ayurveda on one of the web pages of Dr. Vasant Lad’s site. It is given as follows: “Ayurveda is beyond the beginning and the end. A science of eternal healing, compared to a vast ocean, and studying Ayurveda with swimming. A true teacher can teach one to swim, but the swimming is better for the student; … it is a journey that lasts a lifetime. “

By using it as a comforting cookbook, I was able to experiment and then appreciate the simple and natural ways to cure some common ailments, such as fever and cold. But as I open myself to the depths of learning that has been designed in this work, the book reveals the microcosmic journey of swimming in the seas of Ayurveda. This book covers the fundamental principles that make up the human body, such as the five elements, the three bodily humors or doshas, ​​the step-by-step digestion processes according to Ayurveda, and much more.

This book has been written by Dr. Vasant Lad and his wife, Usha Lad. Vasant Lad, BAMS, MASc, ‘is a world-renowned Indian Ayurvedic physician with over 40 years of clinical experience in Indian medicine.’ He is also the founder of the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The book shows the painstaking work of the authors to introduce readers to the complex details of food and cooking, derived solely from the fundamentals of Ayurveda. Even those readers who have little experience with this ancient method will find it easy to understand due to the simplicity and clarity of the presentation.

Tables are used whenever possible, which makes searching easier. The sketches drawn by Dr. Lad himself provide distinctive appeal to readers. It tends to relieve the reader of some kind of heaviness while reviewing the comprehensive information provided. It would also be beneficial to consider publishing a “large print” version of the book, which I have not found yet.

If you are not a healer, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the ancient Indian system of Ayurveda, this book can be an excellent introduction to Dr. Lad’s other life-enhancing works. Another book by Dr. Lad called ‘The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies’, covers the same details of the fundamental principles of Ayurveda as given in this text, ‘Ayurvedic Cooking for Self Healing’. But I found this work to be a gentler introduction to this ancient healing system. Both works are packed with detail, but have their own unique approach.

It is said that one of the problems in the process of switching to vegetarian food is, according to a question and answer section with Dr. Weil, getting enough protein. If you are one of those trying to adapt to the vegetarian diet, this book can give you the big picture needed to keep your health in balance. Provides a vast number of recipes and a comprehensive list of simple fruits, vegetables, and spices. Dr. Weil mentions this as a “varied vegetarian diet” and also as a healthier alternative.

One of the works by Andrew Weil, MD that I first read was ‘Spontaneous Healing’. The works of Dr. Weil and Dr. Lad are quite comparable in the non-healing field, predominantly through natural means. Years before learning about the works of Dr. Vasant Lad, I was using the works of Andrew Weil, MD. Dr. Weil’s website is a very rich resource, and the information provided comes from his unique experience in the health field. , healing, food and more.

I also learn that many of us yearn to connect with the ways of our ancestors to better live our lives. ‘Ayurvedic Cooking for Self Healing’ is definitely a book that provides so much wisdom. It also contains an environment that satisfies readers from the Eastern (India) and Western (United States) countries. A copy of this book, which I have, has become out of date in appearance. It has been kept open multiple times, on my kitchen counter.

254 pages; The Ayurvedic Press (NM); 2nd ed., 1997; $ 19.50; http://www.ayurveda.com