The Anthropology of Alternative Medicine
Alternative medicine is not a fashionable new trend but an established cultural strategy, as well as a dynamic feature of mainstream contemporary medicine, in which elements of folk traditions are often blended with western scientific approaches.The Anthropology of Alternative Medicine is a concise yet wide-ranging exploration of non-biomedical healing. The book addresses a broad range of practices including: substance, energy and information flows (e.g. helminthic therapy); spirit, consciousness and trance (e.g. shamanism); body, movement and the senses (e.g. reiki and aromatherapy); as well as classical medical traditions as complements or alternatives to Western biomedicine (e.g. Ayurveda). Exploring the cultural underpinnings of contemporary healing methods, while assessing current ideas, topics and resources for further study, this book will be invaluable to undergraduate and graduate students in anthropology, sociology, psychology, and health related professions such as nursing, physical and occupational therapy, and biomedicine.
1105440424
The Anthropology of Alternative Medicine
Alternative medicine is not a fashionable new trend but an established cultural strategy, as well as a dynamic feature of mainstream contemporary medicine, in which elements of folk traditions are often blended with western scientific approaches.The Anthropology of Alternative Medicine is a concise yet wide-ranging exploration of non-biomedical healing. The book addresses a broad range of practices including: substance, energy and information flows (e.g. helminthic therapy); spirit, consciousness and trance (e.g. shamanism); body, movement and the senses (e.g. reiki and aromatherapy); as well as classical medical traditions as complements or alternatives to Western biomedicine (e.g. Ayurveda). Exploring the cultural underpinnings of contemporary healing methods, while assessing current ideas, topics and resources for further study, this book will be invaluable to undergraduate and graduate students in anthropology, sociology, psychology, and health related professions such as nursing, physical and occupational therapy, and biomedicine.
51.99 In Stock
The Anthropology of Alternative Medicine

The Anthropology of Alternative Medicine

by Anamaria Iosif Ross
The Anthropology of Alternative Medicine

The Anthropology of Alternative Medicine

by Anamaria Iosif Ross

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$51.99 
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Overview

Alternative medicine is not a fashionable new trend but an established cultural strategy, as well as a dynamic feature of mainstream contemporary medicine, in which elements of folk traditions are often blended with western scientific approaches.The Anthropology of Alternative Medicine is a concise yet wide-ranging exploration of non-biomedical healing. The book addresses a broad range of practices including: substance, energy and information flows (e.g. helminthic therapy); spirit, consciousness and trance (e.g. shamanism); body, movement and the senses (e.g. reiki and aromatherapy); as well as classical medical traditions as complements or alternatives to Western biomedicine (e.g. Ayurveda). Exploring the cultural underpinnings of contemporary healing methods, while assessing current ideas, topics and resources for further study, this book will be invaluable to undergraduate and graduate students in anthropology, sociology, psychology, and health related professions such as nursing, physical and occupational therapy, and biomedicine.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781845208028
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Publication date: 01/01/2012
Edition description: New Edition
Pages: 192
Product dimensions: 6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Anamaria Iosif Ross is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Utica College, USA.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

1 Alternative Medicine in the Twenty-First Century 1

Conflicting Interests Pertaining to the Rise of Integrative Medicine 7

What Distinguishes an Anthropological Approach to Alternative Healing? 9

Dominant Themes and Organization of the Book 9

Anthropology and the Human Journey 11

Healing Power and Agency 14

What are Cultural Constructions and Why Does It Matter to Health Care? 16

A Bird's Eye Overview of Core Concepts in Medical Anthropology 18

Curing or Healing? 20

Biomedicine and Traditional Medicine 22

Plural Healing in the Global Age: Intersections of Meaning and Power 29

Current Practice: Helminths Return as Promising New Drugs 32

2 Substance, Energy, and Information Flows 41

From the Flow of Rumors to Exposing the Global Traffic in Organs and Tissues 45

Duality of Water: Vitality and Contamination 49

Current Practice: Homeopathy 51

Energy, Life-Force, and the Powers of the Sun 53

Nourishment and Healing 56

The American Health Foods Movement in the Early Twentieth Century 61

Rising Trend: Alternative Consumption Movements in the Developed World 62

Humoral Medical Traditions, Foods, and Herbs 64

Case Study: ELTA Universitate-Natural Foods, Anesthesia, and Social Renewal 68

Of Information and the Triadic Approach 73

Energy, Dowsing, and Information 75

3 Spirit, Consciousness, and Trance 81

Altered States, Bodies, and Souls 86

Shamanic Consciousness and Symbolic Healing 94

Hypnosis, Spirit(s), and Healing 99

Current Practice: Rediscovering Hesychasm and the Prayer of the Heart 104

Rising Trend: Healing Addictions with ASCs and Hallucinogens 107

Faith Healing and Pilgrimage 109

Ayurveda and Mental Illness 112

4 Body, Movement, and the Senses 117

The Anthropology of Sensations and the Multidimensionality of Healing Work 122

Smell and Taste 125

Tactile Experiences 129

Rhythm, Movement, and Music as Life 132

Case Study: Becoming Radiant-Real Reiki in Postsocialist Romania 135

Ascent into the Future: Aromatherapy, Art, and Science, Ancient and Modern 144

Current Practice: Medical Aromatherapy 148

Polythetic Medicine 150

5 Conclusion: Looking into the Future of Alternative Medicine 155

References 159

Index 175

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