Known to viewers of HBO's Sex and the City
as the doctor Charlotte consults on fertility, Ni (Secrets of Longevity
) is a 38th-generation doctor of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) who practices acupuncture in Southern California. Based on the Chinese concept of rebirth, or “second spring,” offered to women at midlife, Ni's program for treating menopausal symptoms and preventing age-related disease is a battery of multitasking foods, herbs and supplements; dietary guidelines; stress-relieving strategies; beauty treatments; brain exercises; and tips on creating a healthy environment. Drawing contrasts between Eastern and Western protocols, Ni introduces the Chinese elemental constitutional types to help readers personalize regimes. His DIY arsenal includes acupressure, qi gong and tai chi, herbal tonics, meditation and color therapy. Divided into concise, one-page sections, chapters address holistically specific aspects of midlife change. Readers seeking simple, effective natural treatments for menopause and beyond have a windfall here and will benefit by using it with such essential volumes as Barbara Seaman's No-Nonsense Guide to Menopause
. (Apr.)
