The Indian Method of Healing

First published in the mid-19th century, The Indian Method of Healing by John Goodale Briante offers a rare and insightful look into the traditional medical systems of India, written from the perspective of a Western physician seeking to understand the principles, practices, and philosophy of indigenous healing. Drawing from direct observation and study, Briante reveals how Ayurvedic and native medical traditions approached disease not merely as a physical ailment, but as an imbalance of natural and spiritual forces.

The book explores methods of diagnosis, herbal treatments, purifications, and dietary regimens, along with the symbolic and ritual dimensions of healing deeply rooted in Indian culture. Briante’s account bridges two worlds—Western medical science and Eastern holistic thought—offering readers a compelling picture of how health and harmony were pursued in traditional India.

More than a medical treatise, this work stands as a cross-cultural study of healing and philosophy, preserving knowledge that continues to influence both modern herbalism and integrative medicine today.

Complete edition of John Goodale Briante’s early study on Indian healing traditions

Explores Ayurvedic principles, herbal medicine, and native therapies

Combines medical observation with cultural and spiritual insight

Essential for readers of medical history, ethnomedicine, and Eastern philosophy