For the four years she devoted to this project, for her agenting skills, insights and friendship, thank you, Ling Lucas. To Danielle Perez, Senior Editor at Bantam Dell, for her journey across country and up the potholed, winding road to work out the organization of this book, thank you. Her attention to detail, editorial talent and encouragement were the driving force. She was a pleasure to work with and this book would not have been the same without her.
The execution of a book like this took a staff of hardworking individuals. First in line for thanks is Courtney Sampson, my assistant, who handled details of every facet of this project. De'in Sofley spent months interviewing, doing Medline research and transcribing interviews, often alone and self-motivated out in the field. Thanks to Reneé Perez for managing bookkeeping and miscellaneous and sundry details and to David Stanley, computer expert. Thanks to Derek Thiele, Esq., for his legal expertise. Many thanks to Pat Frederick for her editorial assistance from the very beginning of this project and to Sue Warga for her copyedit on the manuscript.
Many doctors of Chinese medicine, Western M.D.'s., scientists, and nurses contributed their expertise to this book. Glenn E. Miller, M.D., and Henry Han, O.M.D., took time away from their busy practices and businesses to write this book with me. Stephen Hosea, M.D., who is in private practice in the field of infectious diseases, was the first Western doctor who would talk to me about his opinion of and experiences with Chinese medicine. The contributions of Daoshing Ni, Lic. Ac., D.O.M., Ph.D., and Maoshing Ni, Lic. Ac., D.O.M., Ph.D., on the topics of spirituality, women and antiaging were invaluable and greatly enhanced the content of this book. Lorne D. Feldman, M.D. shared his story of healing and spiritual awakening.
For their contributions and cooperation, thanks to: Ke-ji Chen, M.D., internationally recognized authority on the integration of Chinese and Western medicines, for his knowledge of the history of Chinese medicine; Amy Birchum, a student of Chinese medicine, for creating the glossary of Chinese herbs; Soonae Choi, Lic. A., M.S., for creating the charts of Energetic properties of foods; Scott Blossom, Lic. Ac., for poring over the completed manuscript—his contribution and ideas are reflected in many pages of this book; Alex Soffici, M.D., and Mia Lundin, R.N., C.N.P., for their medical and hormone replacement expertise on women's health; Robin Marzi, R.D., expert in the fields of metabolism, women's health and fitness and sports nutrition, for her contribution to the subjects of antiaging and women's health; Sheldon Miller, R. Ph., for his insights on pharmacognosy; Kenneth Cohen, internationally renowned author, lecturer, health educator, China scholar and master of Qigong healing, and Francesco Garri Garripoli, author and lecturer on Qigong, for their contributions on Qigong; Gary Tunksy, Ph.D., for his unique take on cellular healing; David Steinman, nationally recognized authority on environmental toxins, for his help on this subject; oncology nurse and researcher Diane Fletcher, M.A., R.N., O.C.N., for her insights on research; Jo Ann Tall, Lic. Ac., for sharing her experiences with integrative medicine; Mary Enig, Ph.D., internationally recognized biochemist in the field of fats and oils and an authority on transfatty acids, for her contribution to the chapter on HIV; Michele Nichols, ashtanga yoga scholar, and Shelly Gault, who designed the meditation guidelines. Many thanks to Robin Monroe for her research on Chinese herbs in Chinatown in San Francisco and for creating the medicinal recipes in this book.
For those who spent many hours sharing your personal stories with me over a period of three and a half years, heartfelt gratitude for your generosity and time. Your stories are the glue that patched this book together and made it possible for others to understand how miraculous Chinese medicine can be.
Most of all, thank you to John for always being there.