Hi!
Macrobiotics is lots of fun, isn't it?
That is, unless you have a serious condition or illness and then you have to take macrobiotics more seriously.
Herbs (herb n 1: a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests [syn: herbaceous plant] 2: aromatic potherb used in cookery for its savory qualities -From Dictionary.com) and spices (spice n 1: aromatic substances of vegetable origin used as a preservative 2: any of a variety of pungent aromatic vegetable substances used for flavoring food 3: the property of being seasoned with spice and so highly flavored [syn: spiciness, spicery] v 1: make more interesting or flavorful; "Spice up the evening by inviting a belly dancer" [syn: spice up] 2: add herbs or spices to [syn: zest, spice up] are usually considered too yin for healing most sicknesses and illnesses using macrobiotics.
Everyone, here, know what yin and yang are?
A good book which not only covers what foods to eat in our daily life and also to use (with yin and yang) to help heal sickness and disease is <A HREF="http://www.simply-natural.biz/Path-To-Health.php">The Macrobiotic Path to Total Health: A Complete Guide to Preventing and Relieving More Than 200 Chronic Conditions and Disorders Naturally</A> by Michio Kushi and Alex Jack.
An excellent cookbook for beginners and everyone else, especially those just learning about yin and yang, is <A HREF="http://www.simply-natural.biz/Self-Healing-Cookbook.php"> The Self-Healing Cookbook: A Macrobiotic Primer for Healing Body, Mind and Moods With Whole Natural Food</A> by Kristina Turner.
From the
Human Medicine chapter contained in the out of print
Healing Ourselves: A Book to Serve As a Companion in Time of Illness and Health by Naboru Muramoto (with Michel Abehsera):
"According to the Shurai, a three-thousand-year-old Chinese book, distinguishes 5 levels of doctors according to the type of medicine being practiced.
The highest doctor is the Sage, he is followed by the food-doctor, the surgeon, the doctor of general medicine, and the animal doctor.
The most venerated doctor, the philosopher-doctor teaches about the harmonious order of man and his world. The teachings ofb the food-doctor are classified as preventative medicine, which is known as the "medicine of logevity." The surgeon employs his special skills to remedy the effects of violent injuries, also using herbs and food to help extend his patients' lives. The doctor of general medicine uses herbs and employs the techniques of acupuncture, moxibustion, and massage to cure specific ailments.
Oriental medicine operates on the principle of balancing Yin and Yang in all its remedies. This method is based on subtlety and gradually changing changing balance is gentle, safe and long lasting."
Be Well.
Cool Dude