It’s hardly surprising that after decades as a pioneer in integrative medicine and dermatology, Alan M. Dattner, M.D., has amassed a treasure trove of documents and tapes representing both the ancient underpinnings and the modern arc of the integrative medical movement. Now the New Rochelle physician hopes to put these items in the hands of others who will find them useful and meaningful.

“I am in a process of downsizing, and I have a great collection of cassette tapes, notes, symposium handouts and magazines covering 30 years of herbal medicine and integrative medicine. I would like to pass this on to an institution, a clinic or a few individuals who will cherish them,” Dattner says.

While we tend to get the most excited reading or hearing about the latest advances in medicine and healing, he says, ancient healing systems like Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine offer a time-tested perspective that can add to the understanding of sick patients and how to help them. It’s also informative to understand the evolution of modern integrative medicine.

“What is fascinating is that we often overlook the observations and treatments of the past decades that were the foundation for current thinking in medicine, nutrition, herbology and even the medical science of today,” Dattner says. “Looking back over half a century or more, we often see shifting cycles of understanding. Through all this, observations still hold, although their interpretations may vary.”

He is giving away some print materials and selling others at 5 to 10 cents on the dollar, and giving away cassette tapes in batches of 50 to 100. He is offering cassette players at a nominal cost and has some equipment to sell, including Champion and Norwalk juicers.  

Location: 17 Rodman Oval, New Rochelle, NY. For more info, call 914.637.0908 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.