The Last Best Cure: My Quest to Awaken the Healing Parts of My Brain and Get Back My Body, My Joy, and My Life, by Donna Nakazawa

Have you ever wondered, What else can I do? Or, Where did my joy go? This personal account by Donna Nakazawa might offer some useful answers. Recommended by E. Jeanni Bonine, MS, OTR/L, HPCS, The Last Best Cure recounts Nakazawa’s journey with autoimmune disease and, as a science journalist, she delves into research into the effectiveness of meditation, yoga, and acupuncture. But, she says it was research into her adverse childhood experiences that turned her life around.  

Rays of the Dawn: Natural Laws of the Body, Hand, and Soul, by Dr. Thurman Fleet

Suggested by ACHS student Cher Hewitt, AAS CAM, she says: “This book is so full of self-help knowledge. They even have a Facebook post with an excerpt every day from the book. […] I was recommended the book by a lifestyle coach and bought it and enjoy it every day. Some things may not ring true, but we can appreciate the psychology of the reasons others may do things; this brings us into a compassionate state and an enlightened one.”

The Boreal Herbal: Wild Food and Medicine Places of the North, by Beverley Gray

Recommended by MS CAM student Andrea Stearns, this award-winning book guides readers in the art of northern plant identification and how to use plants as food and medicine. Stearns says about this book: “It has beautiful pictures, harvesting information, plant profiles, and a great section on recipes. It has been a useful addition to my botany reading this semester.” Recipes include Wild-Weed Spanakopita, Dandelion Wine, and Cranberry-Mint Muffins …. perfect this time of year!

Everything You Need to Know About Enzymes: A Simple Guide to Using Enzymes to Treat Everything from Digestive Problems and Allergies to Migraines and Arthritis, by Tom Bohager 

If you’re looking for new ideas about how to improve your heath through noninvasive lifestyle changes, check out this text focused on enzymes. Recommended by MS CAM student Terri Turner, she says: “This book has taught me a lot, and I use it as a guide to research more into what roles enzymes play in our bodies and how important our dietary choices are to our health.” Everything You Need to Know About Enzymes also delves into digestion, the immune system, energy levels, aging, and common maladies.

The Schwarzbein Principle: The Truth About Losing Weight, Being Healthy, and Feeling Younger, by Diana Schwarzbein and Nancy Deville

This research-based, holistic guide to sustainable weightless and nutrition emphasizes balance. Recommended by DIP HHP graduate Darlene Rose, she says about this text: “With the holiday season coming upon us, sugar is on many minds, and so is eating a lot of fat. […] I am reading this during this season so that I can suggest alternatives to low-fat, no fat or wrong fat foods, and to help myself and others choose higher protein and dietary carbs. We don’t have to kill nor deprive ourselves during the holidays. We could actually eat well, be satisfied with less, and detox with the withdrawal of processed and harmful foods.”  

Grain Brain, by David Perlmutter, MD

When asked for a seasonal reading recommendation, MS CAM student Lisa Cassidy says international best seller Grain Brain is the way to go because “it talks about the inflammatory damage caused by the current American diet (i.e., high in refined grains and processed food). He has diet change suggestions and a diet to follow in the back of the book. […] It was very readable and funny in places. Good book for nutrition students to read.” Author David Perlmutter is a neurologist who explores topics like the brain and fat and cholesterol and how to grow new brain cells at any age. It’s definitely food for thought before the holidays!

Biochemical Individuality, by Roger Williams

Recommended by Teresa Edwards, MS Holistic Nutrition, this resource emphasizes individuality and how nutrition and environment influence health. About the text Edwards says, “Although this book was written many years ago, it provides information about the unique nutritional needs and environmental influences relevant to the health of individuals that are still pertinent today.”

Want to join these honor students in class and discover even more holistic health knowledge? Learn more about ACHS’s certificate, diploma, masters and associates degrees in complimentary alternative medicine.

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. This article has not been reviewed by the FDA. Always consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am the Dean of English, Communications Manager, and Press Coordinator for American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS), the Institution that publishes this blog. However, all opinions are my own. This blog may contain affiliate links. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”