Three Thousand Years of Mental Healing

This volume offers a sweeping survey of the age‑old belief that the mind can influence the body’s health. Beginning with ancient anecdotes of sudden hair‑turning and fatal rage, it traces how cultures across millennia have linked emotions, thoughts, and physical well‑being. The author weaves together stories of famed healers—from the mystic Saint Valentine to the controversial mesmerists—showing how their practices reflected the prevailing ideas of their times.

Moving forward, the book examines the surge of scientific interest in the early twentieth century, alongside the rise of new religious movements that placed mental healing at their core. By presenting a chronological yet thematic overview, it highlights the continuity and change in how societies have understood and attempted to harness mental power for cure. Readers will come away with a clearer picture of why this topic remains compelling and how past traditions still echo in today’s discussions of mind‑body health.