Nature's Secret Messages

Starred review from February 15, 2010
With a dash of tongue-in-cheek cheer, actress and PhD-carrying naturopath Wilkes offers a thorough, clear-cut and well-illustrated introduction to holistic medicine, natural eating and the benefits of mindfulness. Part I deals with the physical similarities between people and food, emphasizing the ease with which we can sense, literally, the health benefits of different foods: English walnuts, which contain brain-supporting omega-3 fats, physically resemble the brain with "two equal sides," a "hard protective shell," and "furrows," as well as a similar fat content (68 percent). Part II deals with emotional and mental well-being, starting with water's lessons for curbing stress, from taking baths ("its healing properties... are endless") to assuming the "waterfall pose" (back flat on the floor, legs up against the wall) for 15 minutes twice a day. The third part deals with spirituality and mathematical complexity in nature (the Fibonacci sequence in plant structure, the hexagonal shape of bee hives, etc.). Part IV deals with food, drugs and deception, and an appendix provides ample resources for the budding naturalist. B&W illustrations.