Review of Spontaneous Healing

By Andrew Weil, M.D., Alfred Knopf, NY, 1995

This books has several new topics for AW fans and strangers alike: the interesting story of osteopathy, provocative anecdotes of personal healing, suggestions for a healthy diet and lifestyle, even a prescription for society. This is woven with Weil’s usual contrasting of the way medicine is but should be, and lightly technical explanations of the immune system at work.

Weil was prodded by people to meet Robert Fulford, a life-long osteopath. Weil relates Fulford's practice of the original form of osteopathy as laid down my Andrew Taylor Still (1828-1917). In 1939, a follower of The Old Doctor, William Sutherland announced the discovery of certain rhythms within a healthy nervous system that he termed Primary Respiration - not the breathing kind - this has to do with expansion/contraction/motion of the cranium, the spine, the hemispheres of the brain, and the sacrum. By de-shocking parts of the body, Fulford was able to free up this primary respiration and bring chronically sick people back to health. Modern Osteopathy has moved toward mainstream allopathy.

He assesses common food products and their positive or negative impact on the immune system.

Weil offers suggestions to avoid toxins in your diet and environment.

He reviews a dozen or so tonics including garlic, ginger, green tea, genseng, and dong quai, and encourages people to experiment (mindfully) as these tonics are harmless.

Someday I may attached some bulleted summaries from the book. There are other summaries, such as for the tonics, but I think they should remain in context. The book is certainly worth checking out of your local library. Andrew Weil followers will want to add it to their own.