Rosita Arvigo: Rainforest Home Remedies

I picked up this book some time ago when it was recommended by a good friend, and I love it. To get an international perspective on herbalism and holistic health adds a new dimension to living well. Rosita Arvigo is the co-author of this, one of several books she has written on herbal and natural healing. She is a naparapathic physician (they focus on the evaluation and treatment of neuro-musculoskeletal/connective tissue disorders,) an herbalist/ethnobotanist, and an international lecturer. Arvigo lived in Belize for thirty years where she apprenticed with her mentor, Don Elijio Panti, who was recognized throughout the Americas for his skills in the ancient system of Mayan healing, which uses plants, prayers, massage, acupuncture, and herbal baths. Elijio died in 1996 at the age of 103.

Centered in the notion of ch’ulel, which is akin to qi, chi, or Indian’s phrana, the notions in the book are based on balance and inner harmony. Everything from anemia to vaginal infection is addressed and there are various recommendations that can prove very useful for day to day health.

Arvigo is famous for bringing Mayan Massage to North America. This massage is meant to re-align the inner tissue in various conditions such as women who experience reproductive disorders or men who have prostate problems or erectile disfunction. Many have claimed to have great success after undergoing sessions of this massage and there are now practitioners, who have been trained by Arvigo and her school, all across the U.S. and Canada.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes to avoid allopathic medicine and instead practice less invasive forms of healing.