"Once we understand the basics of ayurveda, we see that we can get along with anyone. There are no 'bad' matches," writes Coffey in "What's Your 'Dosha', Baby?"

The author, who makes frequent appearances on television and radio talk shows, finds a surprising use for ayurveda. She contends that ayurveda can be used not only to heal bodies but to heal relationships and to find compatibility.

Conceding that there are many ways of pursuing compatibility - such as the Mars/Venus and the love signs systems - Coffey suggests that long before these theories were invented, ancient India had produced a holistic system of healthcare in "ayurveda", or science of life.

Coffey writes: "Within this holistic system lies everything we need to know about love. 

"So whether you want to end the squabbling with your mate, you are having a hard time with your boss, or your boyfriend just won't commit, with this system of ancient Indian love matches, you will find ways to make the relationship work."

While much of Coffey's thesis may be debatable, what she writes about diet is quite convincing:

"For many reasons, a vegetarian diet is optimal. Studies have shown that people who don't eat animals have lesser risk of having heart diseases, or cancer.

"It takes roughly 16 pounds of grain to feed livestock, in order to produce one pound of hamburger meat.

"And then, there is the issue of emotions that permeate our food. There is fear and suffering for the animal that gives its life to become someone's dinner. Do we really want to take that in?"

"What's your 'Dosha" baby? Discover the Vedic Way for Compatibility in Life and Love" is published by Marlowe & Company, an imprint of Avalon, New York.

--Indo-Asian News Service