Holistic health is a form of healing that looks at the body in its entirety, taking into consideration emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing along with physical health. Often involving alternative medicine and healthcare practices, it emphasises the importance of all elements of the body working together.
There are various practices that you can look at if you’re taking a holistic approach to your healthcare. Some of these may include therapy, meditation, acupuncture, or Ayurveda.
Holistic health also studies the effects of the external environment and how it impacts overall health and wellness. Think about how you may feel happy and motivated when the sun is shining, but are often dull and tired when it is raining outside. The holistic approach will take these factors into consideration before coming up with solutions that work best for you.
There are some other practices holistic health can be linked to, which we’ll go through below.
Alternative medicine
Alternative medicine is a term commonly used to describe medical treatments that stray away from Westernised or mainstream medicinal practices. It is also known as complementary medicine. Some forms of alternative medicine are:
Acupuncture
This alternative medicine technique hails from ancient China and uses needles to stimulate specific points around the body. The idea is to allow your body to activate its natural healing processes and use them to treat muscle and joint pains, nausea, and more.
Energy Therapies
Focusing on energy fields around the body these can include practices like Magnetic field therapy, which uses magnets to treat bone-related problems like fractures, arthritis or osteoporosis.
Reiki is another common energy therapy in which the therapist ‘channels’ energy through their hands into your body to promote healing.
Ayurveda
Known as one of the oldest forms of alternative medicine, the practice originated in India over 3000 years ago. It relies on the use of herbal plants, natural oils, and roots to promote health and wellbeing.
Naturopathy
Naturopathy or the study of natural medicine has been linked to being discovered almost 4000 years ago. Many traditional countries around the world have been relying on herbal plants to heal their ailments, and continue to do so today. Naturopathic doctors require professional qualifications and continually need to update their knowledge. Improvements in technology allow for extensive studies, and naturopathic doctors must keep up with this information to recommend adequate treatment.
The idea behind natural medicine is to focus on vitality, self-healing, and natural pain relief practices. This also means that modern medicines and pharmaceutical drugs are avoided.
Natural medicine incorporates various, gentle healing techniques involving the patient’s mind and emotions. The treatments are often long drawn when compared to Western medicinal practices, as each patient must be treated individually. Using the same ideas behind holistic health and all parts of the body being connected, natural medicine aims to correct muscle, bone, and nerve function, thus aligning the body and allowing it to support self-healing.
Suitable for all ages and every level of health, most natural health therapies recommend relaxation, the use of natural supplements, and meditation to heal ailments, with almost no associated side effects.
The benefits of natural medicine are quite extensive; however, it is important to consult a general practitioner or physician before choosing to rely on a form of alternative medicine.
Some Holistic Health remedies may include:
– Lifestyle advice can lead to everyday changes, including eliminating stress and reducing workload.
– Dietary advice, such as including more vegetables in your diet, detoxification, and steps to working towards a more alkaline body system.
– Consuming herbal medication and natural treatments.
– Massage therapy to relieve aches and stress.
– Meditation or yoga for stress relief or to assist in dealing with depression or anxiety.
The use of roots, herbs, and plants may be promoted to increase the body’s response to natural pain relief. Some of the most popular ingredients in natural medication include
Turmeric
A well-known ingredient in the Asian sub-continent, turmeric is part of the ginger family and has been used for cooking and medication for thousands of years. Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, it can be used to prevent chronic inflammation, anxiety, and various other ailments.
Chamomile
One of the most popular teas in the world, chamomile is a mild-tasting, flowering plant that can be dried and used in medicinal extracts or as a pain-relieving compress. Used to treat wounds, respiratory infections, nausea, and more.
Tea Tree Oil
This oil is native to Australia and can be found in high-end beauty products all around the world. Known for its various benefits, it can be used to treat skin conditions, insect bites, mild acne, and more.
These herbal plants and remedies are just the tip of the holistic health iceberg. It is important to understand that many of these natural healing techniques are not tested extensively, or developed by drug companies, thus their harmful effects may not have been discovered yet. As with everything else, if you’re considering using natural supplements, do so in moderation and always consult a professional prior. It is recommended to go for regular health check-ups, speak with general practitioners and nutritionists who are able to monitor changes and offer solutions to any new health practices that do not suit your body.
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