The Tao of Detox

Daniel Reid's "The Tao of Detox: The Secrets of Yang-Sheng Dao" (Simon and Schuster, 2005) is a book that states that in this polluted age, detoxifying the body for health is extremely important. It details solutions to the erosion of health due to toxins, described as a blend of Eastern and Western medicine and traditions.

The Book

• The first section of the book describes a variety of methods for detox, including water, air, food and diet, fasting and colonic irrigation, the use of sunlight as therapy, herbal detox and electro-detox. Massage and soft exercise are also included. Its second section is about "retox," or how to use diet and supplements to maintain health, as well as information on minimizing toxic effects from drinking, smoking, and using recreational drugs and medicines.

Pros

• People who like the book say it is informative and easy to understand, and it offers practical tips for periodically cleansing or detoxifying the body, particularly the sections on diet, fasting and herbs.

Cons

• Criticisms include the book's heavy reliance on expensive products and devices, lack of references or research to back up some of its claims, and uncritical acceptance or promotion of sponsors.

Who Should Read It?

• This book would probably be enjoyed by those with an interest in reading about the health effects of environmental pollution and not enjoyed by those hoping for a more in-depth explanation from either a Taoist or research-backed viewpoint.

About the Author

• A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Daniel Reid has also studied in Taiwan. He has written many books and articles about qi practice and living with a Taoist attitude.