...to healthy good looks

Press, 7 May 1980, Page 13

...to healthy good looks

“Mind and Meditation” concentrates on giving us an understanding of the miracle of our minds. With practice, says Ms Meredith, we can master relaxation, concentration, and meditation in this stress-filled age. Our environment directly and daily affects our health and attitudes. The good and bad properties of the air, sun, water, sea, earth, and space are explained, with beneficial treatments. For a hundreds years orthodox medicine has grown vastly in knowledge. We have learnt to .use drugs more effectively. Surgery has become safer. So the world of natural therapeutics, going back through the ages, can be a little mysterious. It is interesting to note a reawakening of curiosity about and attention to these methods. Here we

. find out about biorhythms, eye training, colour therapy, human aura, acupuncture. But the author always recommends: “If in doubt, consult your doctor.” A description of the two types of European health spas concludes Part One. The traditional spa has the cure focused on the value of certain waters. The emphasis is on hydrotherapy. The other is a cross between a clinic and a high-class hotel, where an individual programme is mapped out for each patient to follow. Hanmer Springs has a long way to go before competing in the European spa classs. But if the demand were there it would be entirely possible for it to be developed. • Part Two is devoted to the power of health-giving plants. Many are grown in our own gardens. Several

readings would be required to absorb this mass of information. But if the book were kept in y9ur kitchen, when you were preparing food you could check the alternative uses given for each item. We are all growing increasingly aware that our health, and particularly the prevention of illness, is our personal responsibility. The knowledge that some herbal remedies have been in use for 4000 years should persuade the greatest doubters to spend time trying some of the recipes included. “Essences and Flowers” describes the ancient art of healing with aromatic flowers. One of the remedies is the creation of Dr Edward Bach, a British physician who pioneered a new way of flower healing in the

1920 s and 19305. Dr Bach believed that an in- • harmonious state of mind caused sickness and disease, and that it also slowed recovery. The curative value of a flower might seem improbable. But, over the years, these fascinating remedies have proven most effective. Two samples are beech, used for intolerant natures, prone to criticising others and passing judgments; and honeysuckle, for living in the past, nostalgia, and homesickness. Part three covers beauty preparations. Throughout history women have experimented with plants, flowers, and foods for cosmetic use. The value of natural ingredients for the health of hair and skin is now accepted.

Chapters on skin, bath' ing, the body, and fragrances give endless recipes for natural ways to condition and treat every part of your body. The very high cost of labor-atory-prepared cosmetics in New Zealand, makes. it well worth while to use time and patience preparing some of the book’s natural moisturisers, .conditioners, and cleansers.’ ■ Part Four concentrates on healthy eating. The chapters are divided into food values, cooking, recipes and drinks. Eating is one of life’s pleasures. This chapter gives us an all-round understanding of food, its preparation, and final presentation in the most healthy way. (“Vogue: Natural health and Beauty.” By Bronwen... Meredith. Allen Lane, 300 pp. $19.95.)