Taking Control of Your Health
When East Meets West offers readers a self-care toolkit derived from both Eastern and Western practices. Can you share with us a little about the research required to put this book together?
I have spent many years learning about complementary care, alternative medicine, and integrative healthcare. I completed a course on Complementary Therapies in my graduate program and a class on Hypnosis in my doctoral program. In preparing to write this current edition of the book, I spent months reviewing the literature on every topic in this book. Although many of the topics do not have strong research evidence, there are many anecdotal articles about the potential benefits and harms of the various self-care practices. This book serves as an introduction to the various practices and readers are strongly advised to consult with their healthcare providers and do their own research before incorporating these practices into their health and wellness plan.
What is one misconception you believe many people have regarding self-care?
One misconception regarding self-care is that it can replace modern medicine which can result in harm to self or others. I think it’s important to integrate self-care practices into your daily health and wellness regimen. For example, if you have hypertension (high blood pressure) it is vitally important to treat it with antihypertensives that are prescribed by your healthcare provider. However, it is also important to eat healthy, exercise, and reduce stress. The use of meditation, essential oils, and journaling can help to decrease stress levels. This is an example of how to integrate self-care practice.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from When East Meets West?
I hope readers will understand the importance of taking a holistic approach to their health and well-being and that reading this book will serve as a starting point in this journey. Taking control of one’s health and knowing you have the power to do so is so important. You may not be able to prevent certain illnesses but you can manage them betterwith a holistic/integrative approach.
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Discover the empowering world of complementary and alternative medicine in this approachable, informative guide to enhancing your health and well-being. Drawing on personal experience as a critical care nurse and lifelong learner, the author blends scientific understanding with holistic wisdom to offer a balanced, practical path toward integrative care.
Inside, you’ll explore the benefits, uses, and precautions of:
Essential oils and custom blends for mood, relaxation, and vitality
Herbal teas and tinctures that nourish the body and soothe the mind
Superfoods that can help optimize wellness from the inside out
Mind-body practices like meditation, journaling, therapeutic touch, and self-hypnosis
Energy work techniques to help restore balance and harmony
Whether you’re looking to complement traditional (Western) medical treatments or explore Eastern-inspired wellness methods, this book provides both the knowledge and inspiration to create your own personalized self-care plan. You’ll also find real-life stories-ranging from easing anxiety with meditation to surprising experiences with therapeutic touch-that illustrate just how transformative these practices can be.
This book is not a replacement for medical care-it’s an empowering companion for those who want to take a more active role in their health. With a “best of both worlds” approach, you’ll learn how to blend the precision of modern medicine with the timeless wisdom of holistic practices-helping you not just manage illness, but truly thrive.
Posted on January 23, 2026, in Interviews and tagged author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, book trailer, bookblogger, books, books to read, booktube, booktuber, chakras, Deborah Dolan Hunt, Deborah Dolan Hunt PhD RN, ebook, Energy Healing, goodreads, healing, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, story, trailer, When East Meets West: An Integrative Guide to Self-Care, writer, writing. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment.
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