Books and other products from Meridian Press

Helping Ourselves

New fully revised and expanded edition

A fully revised and expanded edition of Helping Ourselves. This new edition is 30% larger than the first and, as well as updated information on all foods, it includes:
* a significantly expanded list of foods
* a totally new section on the properties of over 150 western medicinal herbs
* a guide to the properties of commonly used essential oils
* a new section on diagnosis


For those new to Daverick Leggett's books, Helping Ourselves is a highly accessible introduction and reference manual to the world of Chinese food energetics and has become a well known and much loved classic. This new edition will also be of interest to those already owning a copy of the original who would like to 'upgrade' to a superior model.

This invaluable reference manual forms part of a quartet with the Energetics of Food and Energetics of Herbs wallcharts, and Recipes for Self-Healing by the same author.

Acclaim for Helping Ourselves

"There are other guides to Chinese dietary therapy on the market, but none that I have seen makes the subject so readily accessible." Simon Fielding, European Journal of Oriental Medicine. Read a review by Simon Fielding. Read excerpts from the book.

"The thing I most like about the presentation of this book is its simplicity. In the introduction the author says that the book is intended both as a learning resource for students and clients of traditional Chinese medicine and as a reference manual for practitioners. In my opinion it succeeds brilliantly in both instances: it explains Chinese energy concepts... in terms that most lay people would understand." Altair de Almeida, Traditional Acupuncture Society News

"Helping Ourselves takes two important steps towards making Chinese food energetics accessible. Firstly, it is extremely easy to read and explains Chinese energy concepts such as the Spleen, Yin, Yang, Cold, Hot and Damp in terms most lay people would understand. Secondly, it classifies the foods into what they do energetically so you can easily look up which foods help to resolve Dampness and which foods are cooling. To my knowledge this has not been done in English before." Bill Palmer, Shiatsu Society News

"I particularly like that by using this book we can advise patients to take positive action and enhance their treatment by adding certain foods to their diet, as well as excluding others. It is a useful book to have in practice and I use it regularly." Sally Blades, acupuncturist

"Helping Ourselves is a relatively short introduction to the basic principles of Chinese dietary therapy... the foods discussed are easily available and the writing intelligent, clear and concise." Peter Deadman, Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine

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Recipes for Self-Healing

Explains in full detail how to apply the principles outlined in Helping Ourselves. With simplicity and elegance, this book conveys the wisdom and insights of traditional Chinese medicine and makes them both relevant and accessible to the modern westerner.

Recipes for Self-Healing includes over one hundred exhilarating recipes using familiar foods, which reflect the cosmopolitan nature of western cuisine. Its unique descriptions of each recipe's energetic actions enables readers to choose recipes perfectly suited to their individual needs. Above all, the author emphasises dissolving concepts of good and bad foods, the importance of pleasure and listening to the wisdom of the body.

Read a review by Peter Deadman, The Journal of Chinese Medicine. Read excerpts from the book.

"Recipes for Self-Healing has wonderful accessible information for the intellect, tasty, delicious food for the body and wit and levity for the spirit - the complete mind, body, spirit experience." Jane Sen, author of The Healing Foods Cookbook.

"These recipes are the practical application in the modern world of a 5,000 year medical tradition. In our increasingly frantic world such wisdoms are greatly needed. This book will be af great benefit to everyone interested in... developing a healthy way of living." Dr. Stephen Gasgcoigne, doctor, acupuncturist and herbalist.

"Recipes for Self-Healing has inspired me to see diet in a totally new way and has given me the tools necessary to truly usefood as medicine. This is a great gift." Sandra Hill, author of Reclaiming the Wisdom of the Body.

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The Energetics of Food Wall Chart UK£7.50  US$15.00 + P&P ISBN 0952464012

The Energetics of Herbs Wall Chart UK£7.50  US$15.00 + P&P ISBN 0952464039

These full colour wallcharts are the ideal companion to both Recipes for Self-Healing and Helping Ourselves. Attractively designed, fully laminated and easy to use, it enables you to find at a glance the energetic properties of about 300 common foods and 150 herbs. For anyone wishing to apply the principles of food energetics in their own kitchen, The Energetics of Food and The Energetics of Herbs are the perfect companions.