Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life: Achieving Optimal Health and Wellness through Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, and Western Science

I can not recommend this book highly enough. It was one of the very best books I have ever read about women's health, and my book is highlighted the whole way through for future reference. Welch really outdid herself, and by other other 5-star reviews, I'm sure you can see how very helpful this book is. What I really like about this book is that Welch makes sense of hormones, PMS symptoms, and that wigged-out stress I used to feel coursing through my body at the drop of a dime in very simple Ayurvedic/TCM terms. I felt a mounting concern about how my cycles were becoming more painful, feeling stressed all the time, and feeling increasing stagnation in the pelvic area. And with the help of this book, I feel I am on the path to lifelong health. What I love about this book is that the solutions are simple. Welch sites several studies throughout the whole book. She references studies that show that diet and lifestyle can resolve something like 90% of all of our illnesses. Welch makes a great case for self care, doing yoga, pranayam, and meditation daily, having a daily routine, going walking at the same time of day, oil massages, simple foods during stress, eating healthily. I am so happy to report that my first moon after having read this book has been the best I've had in years, with only dull cramping. I feel confident as I go along with the recommendations in this book, my cycle will also become gentle and consistent once again. The only thing that I skimmed through was the diet section. If you are into Nourishing Traditions and eating organic, farm-based foods, just keep on doing what you're doing. Although Welch has read Omnivore's Dilema, the book definitely is written with a bias towards vegetarianism. Not a big deal, just something you might want to know. Nourishing Traditions and this book can still go together.

I wish I would have had this book before I was put on birth control pills for 17 years (yes, 17) to manage my horrible cramps. I would have never taken the pill, despite its 'safety' and reliability over the years. I didn't really need it, I needed a better diet, more sleep and stress management. I wish my grandmother would have had this book before being put on Hormone Replacement Therapy for over 20 straight years–she died too early of heart disease thanks solely to that mess (this was confirmed). While hindsight (and access to the Internet) makes the dangers of hormonal drugs easily available, many of us just trust our doctors, especially when we are miserable and will try anything to feel better at some point. Knowledge is power and this book is full of fantastic information, some of which I have already learned through years of investigation and research but much of it I had not. And I consider myself more informed than most women I personally know. This book is helpful for both women in their childbearing years as well as those near or in menopause. It's also very helpful in understanding more about the thyroid. I had mine tested recently and realized that, while my doctor says I'm in the "normal" range, I am in fact, not...not if I want to have a child that is (and I do). And I look like the picture of health from the outside, so I would have never thought to investigate more deeply into my thyroid and other hormone imbalances if it were not for this book. Every woman should have this in her personal library and lend it or buy it for their female friends & loved ones. I also strongly suggest reading Taking Control of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler (get the actual book, not the Kindle version...you'll reference it a lot and will want to flip back and forth). I'd also suggest "The Thyroid Hormone Breakthrough" by Mary J. Shomon, but I didn't get that book until I finished this book (and TCOYF). All three books complement each other and give a greater picture of, as a woman, how to really take control of your health and know how your female body works, despite what doctors tell (or many times, don't tell) you. At the end of the day, we are all responsible for taking care of our own health and should absorb as much information as we can so we are better armed with knowledge and the power to help choose the right protocol of care for ourselves.

I really loved this book. I was diagnosed with adrenal fatigue when a friend of mine first told me about it. I feel like I learned so much about women's health and nutrition that I would recommend this book to every woman. Mainly it talks about the importance of natural, whole foods to treat hormone imbalance which is, you'll find out, common in our culture, due to chemicals commonly used on our foods, and on (or in) every-day household items. It also reveals some of the recent findings on hormone replacement therapies, women's health issues, and gives advice how to use food as medicine and place an emphasis on Quality of Life as opposed to More = Better mentality.) I had heard the terms Kapha, Pitta, and Vata (=describes your health constitution) in Ayurveda(=ancient medicine from India) from Perfect Digestion, by Deepak Chopra, but I didn't realize how this simple system resonated with me until I read this book. I have suffered from adrenal fatigue for so long without knowing it, mood swings, and digestive illness for the past three years and wanted a long-term solution rather than quick-fix drugs that my regular doctor was prescribing that would help me temporarily, but have long-lasting, irreversable, side-effects! After having read this book, continuing my Yoga practice, finding a natural doctor, and incorperating the warm-oil massage, described in this book, I have recovered from digestive illness, am healthy and feel good! It is difficult to find an Ayurvedic doctor, if you need one, but the book has tons of resources. I compromised and found a Naturopath in my area, who has a practice 45 min. away rather than 2 hrs. or more away. For all that are getting this book--Yay! I think you'll learn a lot! To your health!

Well-written, easily understood and extremely helpful for someone dealing with hormone imbalance and changes. I found it to be a nice balance of science, eastern medicine, nutrition and practical advise. This provided me with a good starting baseline before diving into more specific information (and deciding which specific info I wanted/needed) elsewhere. It's still my go-to reference.

The book is 305 pages full of abundant and scientifically sound information. Her writing and teaching brings invaluable information to the reader in an easy to follow and witty form. I have enjoyed this book so much that the studio has made it required reading for our Yoga and Ayurveda Therapy Teacher Training 300-hour, 750-hour and 1,000-hour. I have been recommending this book to my private clients. The ones who have read it have gained a better understanding of Ayurveda and because of this they were able to take more control and responsibility over their healing process. I have found that most people are more willing to implement a change if they know that there is science behind it. This book enables me to easily show people the science behind Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. Furthermore, "Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life" not only covers the meeting ground of Eastern and Western medicine, it also explains a lot of myths and misconceptions that have been polluting both systems. Dr. Claudia Welch has been able to identify how the term "statistics" can be misleading when it comes to the Western medicine and how "folklore" can be falsely passed as Eastern medicine. There is so much knowledge in this book that, dare I say, after a layman studies it, they will understand and know more than some ayurvedic practitioners that I have met. I recommend this book to every one that wants to learn more about Ayurveda, Chinese medicince, or simply aspires to becoming and staying healthy. Thank you Claudia for the gift of this book! Sylvie Binga, MS [email protected] [...]

I liked the comparison of Western and Eastern health standards. I liked the information shared about balancing your hormones, especially for those in menopause.

Beyond containing facts, stats and medical background to help you better understand women's health [birth, menarche, pregnancy, menopause and beyond], what makes "Balance" truly inspirational is its simple blueprint to turn a life of stress into one of healing. Combining Eastern and Western perspectives on the medical arts and honoring the fact that each woman is unique, "Balance" will help you make sense of the overwhelming amount of information out there on health & wellness. You will learn so much about the material, but more importantly, about yourself. Along the way, Dr. Welch makes you feel at home with the subject matter, easing you in and guiding you along with fun and friendly prose. By the end, you come away with much wisdom and tangible tips for turning your life into something closer to what you've always wanted to live. Whether you already know a lot or a little about women's health, I highly recommend this book for whichever stage of life you may be living. Your only regret will be that you didn't start reading it sooner!

Excellent book!"A must" for every woman ( + any man who cares to understand women's moods and needs). Ms. Welch masterfully combines her personal findings , the science of longevity (Ayurveda) and the wisdom of Chinese and western medicines into a easily readible, practical yet spiritual,inspiring health guide. Meeting in person the author, Ms. Claudia Welch , was a life changing , enlightening experience for me.It's rare to find somebody who not only writes so well...but as a person "walks the talk", by being a "living testimony" of how to rise above the challenges of life ( aware of it's consequences on one's health..) balancing wisely "body-mind-spirit" with compassion,humor,humility and love to promote vibrant health, joy and serenity. BRAVO & Thank you!

Alcuni spunti interessanti ma niente che non sia già noto. Non l' ho trovato molto utile

I love this book. Simple, straightforward, well written, melts together the concepts of ayurveda and TMC, and it's a really warm, comforting book. Too many books and blogs and videos nowadays are about always running everywhere, feeding on salads, doing constant cardio, following strict eating regiments, etc. This book doesn't pressure you. It's all about balance and wholeness, and figuring out what works for you and your constitution. At the most basic level, it's essential to ask yourself what you need more of in your life, and what you need less of. The author doesn't give you a one and only detailed programm of what EVERYONE should do; instead it's carefully explained how to assess what state your body is in and what the nature of your imbalance is. The book doesn't either take a stand against veganism or vegetarianism, which is great considering the fact that TMC and ayurveda are at their core mostly vegetarian and that so many modern practitioners seem to forget that. But if that's not your thing, you're not pressured either, just reminded to buy quality product. Personally I'm someone handicapped with PTSD and hormonal issues and chronic pain (mostly due probably to lack of sleep, constant stress, etc) and the concepts and ideas shared about rest, nourishment, and the importance of having rituals and being in your body deeply really resonated with me. I'd definitely recommend this book if you want a deep but gentle change or if you feel kinda stuck and half burnt out.

This is a great book which gives a completely new paradigm on he complex issues of hormones which always confuses. It has simple techniques that can bring lasting changes in your life. There are a lot of original insights and a lot of research findings. It's one of the best books on healing explained with scientific rationale I have read.

Having struggled with hormone imbalance which ahs affected skin, mood and overall health this book really does give some sound practical advice, in a friendly and caring way. Its one of those books that you wish you ahd picked up years ago. Much of the book and its advice is focused on Eastern medicine with a leaning to Ayurveda but that's no bad thing and makes sense. There have been parts that absolutely hit home and what is surprising and yet unsurprising is that there are some really simple steps that you can take - back to basics stuff. Lovely written book and one which I know I will be dipping in and out of time and time again.

I feel like this book should be read by women of all ages if not even a women in her early 20s. This book is an eye opener. I had been to doctors many times regarding my hormonal imbalance in two countries and its mind boggling how very few if any have an answer or are even have any education as far as women's health go, and Of course as she says this isn't a book to get medical advice but getting to know your hormones and how they function and a change in life style could be something to think of. Definitely worth reading.