Holistic Holidays

‘Holistic’

Holistic treatment for acne is one of the most effective and logical way to cure acne naturally. When acne happens, it is a sign of our body to tell us that our health is out of balance. Acne is one of the way toxins from our body tries to get out through the skin thus resulting to acne.

Most of the time, we keep using products like creams, gels and many more to clear acne that appears on the surface of our skin. Unfortunately, when it is visible, the problem has already taken place in creating the damage. This means that by applying skin care products is only helpful to solve the problem that is already halfway in its process. With so many products and the ever complicate labels, it is obvious that our skin care contains a lot of chemicals and that even if there is a mention of natural ingredients, it is not a way to cure acne naturally.

Skin care products have its own way of solving acne problems and so does natural methods. When you cure acne naturally, you will not be looking at a fast solution. It takes reasonable amount of time but the advantage is that it is a long term solution and can keep acne under control.

Holistic approach to cure acne naturally means that you are fixing your acne problem internally focussing on all the system of your body works. Everyday we are exposed to chemicals with the food we eat and the products we use. Acne is just one of the small consequences when our health is out of balance. Severe cases of of imbalance can be seen from chronic diseases that can cost our lives.

To cure acne naturally, start paying attention to your body. Watch your food and eliminate all possible factors that contributes to your health imbalance. This includes your eating habits, products you use, environment and lifestyle.

Perhaps I didn’t make myself clear enough the first time, I’m not paying some low class Psychiatrist to tell me to take a pill when I’m very much against man made treatment, though my treatment for epilepsy worked, I was still against it for religious purposes, Yes I’m on my meds which I hate with a passion, this means if you answer my question with a joke or with the wrong information I will report you, and that’s end of story!

The death toll in the United States due to taking drugs is rising at an alarming rate of about 10% with each passing year. Drug or alcohol treatment is never easy. Most people refuse to acknowledge the fact that their children or loved ones have fallen prey to this fatal addiction that is claiming millions of lives each year. Some tend to turn a blind eye to this problem, thinking that it will be alright in due course of time.

What most people fail to realize is the fact that as time passes, the urge to take drugs or alcohol becomes more uncontrollable. Drug addicts might need a dose as often as every two hours in cases of severe addiction. Taking alcohol can also lead to a mad craving which becomes impossible to stop after a certain period. Drinking or taking drugs continuously will slowly harm the body till it is too late to do anything.

For those of you, who have been able to understand and accept the fact that someone close to you is a drug or alcohol addict, there is still hope left. There are various Holistic drug treatment (or alcohol treatment) centers that aim to approach the problem in a slightly different method as opposed to other centers.

The Holistic alcohol treatment (or drug treatment) tries to synchronize the working of the mind and body in a more effective way. Each case is unique in its own way. First of all, the patients’ physical and mental state will be noted down and the treatment strategy will be mapped out accordingly. A detox program is performed on the patient, which is basically getting rid of the toxic elements and drugs in his body. The craving for drugs or alcohol increases after this stage due to the fact that the body’s urge is not satisfied. A proper diet plan is carried out so that the person gets back his physical strength.

The mind is healed through extensive counseling. Once the person truly understands the bad effects of drugs or alcohol, he will be able to motivate himself to get rid of his addiction. He will also be brought into contact with other patients who are going through similar phases. Support groups and joint counseling sessions are of immense help in curing the mind.

Epilepsy is a disorder that is characterized by the tendency to have recurring seizures. Normally, brain cells communicate with each other via electrical impulses working together to control body movements and keep organs functioning properly. When someone has epilepsy, this normal pattern may be interrupted by thousands to millions of electrical impulses that occur at the same time and are more intense than usual, producing abnormal brain electrical activity and resulting in a seizure. These bursts of electrical impulses can affect body movements, sensations or consciousness. In about 50 to 70% of all cases of epilepsy, the cause of the abnormal electrical impulses is unknown.

A seizure is a sudden disruption of the brain’s normal electrical activity, which can cause a loss of consciousness and make the body twitch and jerk, called convulsions. Many people with epilepsy find that they have more seizures during times of stress or anxiety. Nearly 40,000 Scots live with the condition.

Patients on anti-seizure medications must see their doctor regularly for blood tests to check the levels of the drugs in the bloodstream and to monitor any side effects. Epilepsy Foundation recommends a trip to the doctor at least once a year for a check up.

Epilepsy Holistic Treatments

If you have epilepsy immediately reduce your alcohol, coffee and artificial sweeteners from your diet. Attacks can be triggered by binging on alcohol as it depletes both B vitamins and attacks the structure of the brain.

Columbus Eggs – Omega 3 fatty acids

The brain is made up of two things water and fat. Due to the amount of omega 6 fatty acids we consume in our diets you have to balance them with omega 3’s. You can also get omega 3’s by taking a dessert spoonful of flax seed oil daily. Columbus eggs are available at most supermarkets and are high in omega 3 fatty acids. The chickens are fed flax seed as part of their diet. Try and have boiled eggs as frying affects the quality of the essential fatty acid.

Vitamin B – StarGate Nutrition Vitamins

Researchers have found that infants who have fits can be helped with vitamin B6. The enzyme that coverts glutamic acid to gamma-aminobutyuric acid (GABA) an important inhibitory brain calming neurotransmitter is activated when B6 binds itself to it. When GABA levels are reduced it makes it abnormally easy for seizures to occur. The vitamin has to be in a food state form and can be crushed into a powder to feed to a child.

Calcium Magnesium

Lots of epilepsy sufferers have biochemical disturbances, including hypocalcaemia, which can be the precipitant factor in the causation of epileptic seizures. Naturopaths find that most people with epilepsy have low calcium levels and when they are repaired seizures decrease. Kayath et al discuss how hypocalcaemia is an important factor in the alcoholic convulsive population since ethanol reduces calcium and magnesium levels. In nature cure texts they recommend that you ensure adequate calcium levels. Magnesium works with calcium therefore one has to be taken with the other to stop depletion of the minerals. Magnesium is nature’s tranquiliser and is tremendously supportive to the nervous system. However you need to be taking these minerals in a food form found in StarGate Nutrition products.

Manganese

Several research studies show that blood and hair manganese levels are low in epileptics, with the correlation that those typically having the highest seizure rates show the lowest levels of manganese. (L.S. Hurley et al). Manganese is a component of the antioxidant enzyme manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) that will soak up free radicals that cause cellular damage. Rich dietary sources of manganese include nuts, seeds and wheat germ.

StarGate Nutrition nutrient material has been designed to be 16 times more effective, 5 times more utilised and 6 times more retained than the vast majority (99%) of nutrient material on the nutrition market. They have studied our material through independent laboratories using a number of biological studies to see its effectiveness over a number of development years. Their technology is based and confirmed by over 77 scientific papers and by a number of medical and nutrition Professors and prestigious institutions.They use 100% natural and totally allergen free.

Epilepsy sufferers have to avoid the herbs ephedra, ginseng and ginkgo.

Holistic nutrition? While it practically leaves some minds blank, it actually caused enough stir as well. A lot of individuals have become interested in this alternative health care program and have undergone training making them certified nutritional practitioners.

Just what is holistic nutrition? Holistic in itself is defined as pertaining to wholeness or completeness. Likewise, Holistic nutrition views a person in his totality. This includes the food he eats, his lifestyle, and even his relationship with his environment.

The belief that we are all created to work in harmony with the things around us bringing about total balance. Thus, each action influences the synergism of our body.

Holistic nutrition further states that the compatibility of our dietary intake and how we choose to live our lives will dictate our well-being. Synergism is made up of the activities of different elements. The action of each element has a lesser effect on us than when all of these elements are working together. Holistic nutrition thus aims to provide the tools needed by the body to achieve proper balance.

Prevention is the hub of the holistic nutrition program. It is driven by its belief that a person’s overall well-being can be best sustained through the prevention of any harmful circumstances.

Holistic nutrition endorses the use of whole, organic foods and natural supplements to help repair damaged tissues and aid in restoring or maintaining total balance. Holistic nutrition professionals have undergone intensive nutrition trainings to enable them to follow a career path in alternative health care.

The holistic nutrition practitioners can be a person’s greatest adviser in terms of one’s ideal diet and lifestyle. They can in fact educate and present individuals with the proper actions to take in cases of nutritional problems and imbalances.

Another important part of holistic nutrition philosophy is the lifestyle modification. Most holistic nutrition schools offer “hands-on training” to equip their students of wider exposure to the program. One “hands-on training” is the holistic cooking classes. This is very essential so that they can help future clients address their nutrition problems more effectively.

Lifestyle modification does not end in helping people stay away from harmful vices or practices. The Holistic nutrition program goes as far as providing recovery tools for those who have become addicted to these vices like drugs and alcohol. Experts have the understanding that addictions are caused by improper biochemical balance in a person’s brain. Natural therapies are recommended to overcome this problem.

The holistic approach sounds more difficult than it really is. But when you put your heart and mind to it and think about what it can actually do four you, the holistic nutrition program might just be as fun and easy as a walk in the park.

When looking for a treatment program in California, there are many decisions that need to be made. One of the most important of these decisions is whether to go ahead with a holistic treatment program or to accept a more conventional qualified treatment program. The decision here pegs on various factors. The following are some points that you have to consider. But first, you must know the difference between the qualified treatment programs and the holistic treatment program in California.

Programs that are approved by the state for addiction treatment in California are called as qualified programs. These programs are quite similar to ones that are outlines on the national substance abuse websites such as those of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the National Institute of Drug Abuse and the National Clearinghouse. This is where the qualified treatment programs of a national level are outlined. The programs that are qualified in California are based on these programs; however, there can be some alterations and modifications to better suit the requirements of the state. However, these alterations will be minor subtle points and nothing that changes the overall policy of theory of the programs.

The qualified treatment programs in California include programs such as the outpatient treatment programs, the inpatient treatment programs with detoxification, the inpatient treatment programs without detoxification, the rehabilitation programs, the day treatment programs, the residential treatment programs, the partial hospitalization programs, etc.

The holistic treatment programs, on the other hand, are the unqualified treatment programs. These are not approved by the state and are mostly conducted in private rehab centers. These include techniques such as the herbal detox programs, the massage therapies, the acupuncture and acupressure programs, the aromatherapy programs, the Yoga and other meditation therapy programs, etc. All these programs have not been qualified in the state; however, they are still predominantly used in the state for addiction treatment. They are quite popular also, judging by the way people enroll for these programs.

Now, when you are trying to choose between any one of these programs, it could be a dilemma which one to go ahead with. Here are the points of comparison that can help you decide:-

1. First and foremost, you should know that the qualified treatment programs in the state are those that are approved by the state authorities. That in itself becomes a very important plus point. These programs are tried and tested by medical experts of the state and even of the nation. Hence, the programs can be a better and safer choice. The holistic programs are, at best, experimental. Though they might have success stories to corroborate with their claims, they do not have the state approval that is deemed quite important when it comes to something as sensitive as addiction treatment.

2. The second point is that the holistic treatment programs will be a lot costlier than the qualified treatment programs. This is because most of the holist treatment methods are conducted within private treatment centers. The state approved programs are run in state run centers. For that reason, they might get some financial help from the state, which helps in considerably reducing the costs of the treatment. There is also the advantage of the easy payment plans that most of these state programs will provide you with. The holistic treatment centers will not be able to provide such plans mostly because they do not get any help from the state themselves.

3. The insurance companies are much more likely to cover for a qualified treatment program in California than a holistic treatment program. This is because of the state approval that these programs have. The insurance companies look upon them as safe bets and a willing to cover for them. That further eases your financial burden of the treatment.

4. You can rest assured about the licenses and other qualifications when it comes to the state approved programs. However, this may be a problem in the holistic programs. The same applies to the licenses that the treatment providers must carry.

5. However, the holistic programs win on several counts too. Like, you get better accommodation facilities in most of these centers for the simple reason that they are conducted in private rehab centers. Hence, these programs are the first choices for the rich and the famous. Also, these centers do not make you wait for getting an admission. You can get yourself or someone else checked into these centers on the same day as the treatment begins.

How to Speed Healing Through a Holistic Approach

While the crisis of physical illness or pain is something no one ever welcomes, crisis brings opportunity for positive change. This is true of physical disease.  The crisis of physical disease forces focus on health: seeking lifestyle changes, medical treatment, and alternatives such as energy healing, detoxification, and dietary supplements.  While detoxification and nutritional healing are often necessary, the emotional and spiritual life of a person is just as important to healing and transformation.

Holistic healers understand that while physical ailments may have a root cause in the body, emotional and spiritual issues may also be the cause of the physical symptom.  The relationship between the body and emotions is now understood scientifically.  In Candace Pert’s groundbreaking book, Molecules of Emotions, the body-mind connection is explained by the functions of neuropeptides. 

Dr. Pert writes that neuropeptides carry messages in the nervous system, immune system, growth factors, and gut peptides. Some peptides include the endorphins (happy hormones), insulin (blood sugar control), vasopressin (responsible for blood pressure), sex hormones, and serotonin (the feel-good neurotransmitter) just to name a few.  These directly impact physical wellness.  

What is truly amazing is that we now know that neuropeptides change configuration due to emotional influence!   These chemical messengers change according to our thoughts and emotions.  Whether positive or negative thoughts and emotions–specific neuropeptides are made in the brain and nervous system, white blood cells, reproductive system, digestive system and heart.  They form a two-way network between mind and body.   By neuropeptides, our thoughts and emotions become our biology.   

Releasing negative emotions and thoughts are as important to physical healing as nutritional healing, detoxification and lifestyle changes.  It is often negative emotional thoughts and feelings which trigger physical illness indirectly through neuropeptides.  Many studies support this, and show that major illness is likelier to manifest within a year following a traumatic event or emotional shock. 

As our thoughts and emotions influence our physical health through neuropeptides, our spirit controls our thoughts and emotions.   This is why spiritual healing is so important to healing the person as a whole.  A loving, joyful,   kind, peaceful, patient, forgiving spirit does not generate toxic thoughts and emotions which can produce disease.  Spiritual growth is a vital part of healing as the spiritual growth produces more trust in God, and generates thoughts and emotions which can help us heal.

An example of this is a client who came to me complaining of pain in her arms, neck, and chest.   Her complains were strictly physical.  The pain had been going on for weeks and was debilitating.  Her muscles were very tender and tight.  Uncharacteristically, acupressure did not provide relief. We began using the Emotional Freedom Technique, EFT, as it is very effective on relieving physical pain, but it wasn’t stopping the pain either.  

As the session progressed, she began discussing upsetting family issues.   We then changed the focus of the EFT session on emotional issues of disappointment, betrayal, and guilt.  As the EFT session progressed, the location of pain moved on her body.  For example, guilt produced a heavy sensation in her back not felt before, although her arms and neck now no longer had pain.  Within 30 minutes, most of her pain was gone everywhere.  Having released much of the trapped, negative emotional energy in her body, she felt free to pray, giving the situation to God and followed up with suggested dietary supplements. She called me the next day happy to report she felt completely well.  

In her session, strictly focusing on physical healing would have likely delayed her wellness. In this case, medical or alternative medical approaches may not have been effective in removing the cause of her pain.   Physical illness can have its primary roots in the physical; but it often takes a skillful holistic practitioner to distinguish the difference.

Healing body, mind and spirit involves nutritional healing, detoxification, and lifestyle changes as well as spiritual exercises such as gratitude journaling, and emotional release techniques such as EFT.  Holistic healing uses methods so that all of the root causes of dysfunction are addressed.   Physical pain and disease can be a symptom of underlying emotional and spiritual issues and also an opportunity to heal the body, mind and spirit.  

For more information visit http://www.holistic-healing-wellness.com

Health supplements are preparations made to supply additional nutrients to our body. Even though one has consumed a complete set of meal per deal, the actual meal in itself may be lacking some of the essential nutrients of the body. With this, by taking in health supplements, the body is insured of its proper body maintenance.

What is health? As defined by the World Heal Organization (WHO) Health is defined as “a state of full and complete mental, physical, as well as social well-being, not only infirmity or the so-called absence of certain diseases”.

In 1986, this definition of health was updated and stated by the “Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion” to say that health is known as the “resource for everyday life, not the objective of living”, as well as “health is generated as a positive kind of concept that emphasizes the personal and social resources, including the physical capacities”.

With these definitions, it is said that to be healthy, the physical outlook of our body should not be the gauged on whether we are healthy or not. It should comprise of the whole aspect of the person, which are physical, mental, emotional, as well as spiritual. Just like in our daily intake of food, it does not mean that by completing the set meal per day, it would mean that you have achieved the optimum nutritional needs of your body. With this in mind, taking in health supplements is the key.

What are health supplements? Health supplements are preparations made in order to supply additional nutrients in our body. Even though one has consumed a complete set of meal per day, the actual meal in itself may be lacking some of the essential nutrients for the body. With this, by taking in health supplements, the body insured of its proper body maintenance. Health supplements comprise of the following: minerals, vitamins, amino acids, fatty acids, as well as herbs. For it to be a supplement, it should be in a form of a capsule, pill, tablet or liquid form. It should not also be taken as a replacement of a meal, for the word supplement in itself is just to be added to your daily meal intake.

It has been proven that the consistent use of such health supplements do promote overall good health. Aside from this, it also aids in the prevention of diseases. This is a research done by the Council for Responsible Nutrition or CRN. With such use, it shows that it provides positive impact on several areas, in terms of health. Moreover, if health supplements were a part of your daily routine, and the fact that they have been used for a long time, they can give you the greatest benefits, instead of just starting late or never taking them at all.

Some of the advantages of taking dietary supplements are listed below:

1. Women that have reached childbearing age who used multivitamins and folic acid reduced the occurrence of neural tube birth defects (spina bifida).

2. By routinely using multivitamins as well as mineral supplements when reaching the elderly years, it can improve the immune functions, which will result to fewer occurrences of infectious diseases. Thus, this cuts the illness period in half.

3. By taking supplements that have calcium as well as vitamin D, it can reduce hip fracture rate of older people. This results to lesser costs and bills for hospitalizations and surgeries.

4. The probable cost savings in the preventive approach to our health is tremendous.

Through proper health management such as taking in health supplements, this vastly lessens the chances of getting debilitating diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, and fractures, among others, which would result to fewer future bills as one gets older.

In addition, to achieve an optimum level of heath, you can follow these guidelines:

1. Eat a well balanced meal such as vegetables and fruits.

2. Drink 8 or more glasses of water per day.

3. Try to achieve 8 hours of sleep in order for your body to recuperate totally.

4. Practice time and stress management in order to be more productive in your daily activities. This is without the hassle of going through unnecessary undertakings.

5. Find time for recreational activities with your family and friends.

6. It is also good to sometimes allow yourself to go out alone for meditation and relaxation.

Moreover, since there are a lot of health supplements in the market these days. It is best to stick with the familiar and trusted brands. Just like in other products, there are still fake ones, especially now that the most in-demand health supplements are the “energy-boosting” types. With the advent of these “magic” supplements, questions about their authenticity really affected many people; especially athletes who thought this can help them.

Here are the popular brands in the market today:

1. Co Enzyme Q10 Gel Capsules

This is actually the most popular health supplement these days. Its main ingredient is a type of enzyme, which can be found in almost every cell inside the body or in various foods. It is an antioxidant that also helps produce energy. Thus, amidst beliefs that it can make you strong and it has curative effects for HIV and cancer, it only possesses very limited effectiveness to boost energy, even if it has been used for many weeks already. Even so, it is noted to be safe to use but quite expensive.

2. Yerba Mate

This is now being vended as a type of diet tea that can boost energy. It actually contains lots of minerals such as iron, phosphorous, calcium, Vitamins B, C and B2. Aside from this, it is noted to contain caffeine as well as Theobromine and Theophylline stimulants, in minimal amounts. Manufacturers would only say that there is only a substance that is “caffeine-like” known as “Mateine” that can make you jittery. Thus, as per studies, it is truly chemically identical to real Caffeine. This means that the energy produced is primarily because of caffeine. There were also studies which indicated that long term use of this tea have resulted to neck and head cancers.

3. Noni Juice

Polynesian Medicine has traditionally used this for centuries as treatment for a number of ailments. This would include hypertension, cancer and diabetes. Even so, further study in this age has proven that these claims are very limited even at the best effort. Hence, the energy provided is only due to the high amounts of natural sugar mixed in it. Since this was derived from a particular kind of plant, it possesses minerals and vitamins such as potassium. As a word of caution though, people with kidney problems and Diabetes should stay away from this.

4. Guarana

This health supplement is either mixed with the popular green tea or in capsule form. Like Yerba Mate, this is a type of diet herb. Similar to Yerba Mate also, it contains caffeine. This is also why you can get energy from this tea. Thus, with this caffeine content it is advised that patients with high blood pressure should steer clear from this supplement. Adverse effects of this drug would include anxiety, heart palpitations, along with some disorders of the Central Nervous System. These effects are similar to people who had a stimulant overdose.

Thus, it is advisable to get some information first about a supplement you are planning to buy before taking it. A physician’s advice can be very helpful as well.

As a busy homeopath and mother, my time is valuable. After detours, mistakes and years of searching for the healthiest ways of living, I’ve boiled down my research and time tested tips to a simple seventeen. Here are my top all-time favorites:

1. Stay calm. The world is not as scary a place as the media and other self serving concerns might lead us to believe. When I’m anxious or worried I repeat “Be still and know that I am God”. This gives me inner peace to know that God is protecting all of us. No matter who you believe God to be, pray or study daily. If you’re Catholic, say your rosary. If you’re protestant, read your bible. If you’re Jewish study your teachings. Don’t miss out on the importance of faith.

2. Don’t watch TV, or spend unproductive time on the Internet. After working in the field of media, I learned that it is not in our best interest to be subjected to most forms of media as a steady diet. Protect your children from it as well.

3. Eat like your great grandparents did. Eat whole, real and “untampered-with” foods. Make your meals yourself. It takes longer, but the rewards are worth the effort. There is something therapeutic about chopping fresh vegetables and creating soup from homemade stock. And you’ll earn a reputation as a good cook!

4. Learn enough homeopathy to be able to treat yourself and family for life’s little unknowns. The more you know, the more you’ll want to know. Homeopathy is timeless and enduring. At the very least, find yourself a credentialed, experienced homeopath and use his/her services liberally.

5. Stay away from conventional medications as much as possible. Most meds are dangerous and at best superfluous. Every drug has a healthy counterpart either homeopathically, as a kitchen cure or an herb. (My CD “Homeopathy First Aid; Perform in the Storm” is available my homeopathy website.) Learn the safe alternatives and use them with confidence. Save the use of modern drugs for life threatening situations only.

6. Get fresh air and direct sunshine at least 30 minutes daily. Throw out the sun screen. Have you read the ingredients? It inhibits vitamin D and is loaded with chemicals not meant to be slathered on skin. Instead, if needed, protect your skin the old fashioned way: a hat, cover-up and common sense when in the sun.

7. Get daily exercise. I realize how trite this statement sounds, but after years of resisting exercise myself because of time constraints, I’ve come to learn that I’m more productive and happier when I work out. Even a short walk is good enough.

8. If possible, keep a garden and animals. A flower or vegetable garden can be a sight for emotionally sore eyes. They keep us closer to what is important in life; simple pleasures.

9. Protect your family and the integrity of the family in our society. That means your marriage and the marriages of those around you. A unified family is the basis of a healthy, prosperous and creative society.

10. Keep your exposure to electromagnetic fields to a minimum. Use a cell phone directly at the ear only when absolutely necessary.

11. Expose yourself and family to the intelligent, creative and lofty of our society by listening to classical music, reading fine literature, viewing fine art, we are inspired to greatness ourselves. Then emulate and study those who have had successful and creative lives: Mother Teresa, Benjamin Franklin, Gandhi, Churchill, Beethoven.

12. Drink fresh, raw milk. If it’s available in your part of the world, take advantage of it. If not, find a farmer who will sell this to you on a regular basis. Most people who believe they are lactose intolerant are actually intolerant of pasteurized, homogenized, ultra-pasteurized milk. These products are a paltry resemblance of real milk. The changes you’ll see in imbibing this elixir may amaze you.

13. Eat raw dairy products from animals that are pasture fed and preferably organic. Raw sheep’s milk cheese from Italy, raw goat and cow’s milk from France, Denmark, Ireland and sometimes the US.

14. Eat organic. At least as much as possible, buy or grow your own vegetables and eat meat from pasture fed animals. In other words, support local, organic, family farms.

15. Include some fermented food or drink with every meal. Old fashioned sauerkraut, pickles, yogurt, kefir, kombucha, fermented carrots, etc. They provide live enzymes that allow us to break down the cooked foods we eat. They are excellent for intestinal disorders and are utilized by the healthiest people on the earth.

16. Try to eat as close to 80% raw foods daily. This is not as difficult as one would imagine when drinking raw milk, eating fermented and fresh vegetables, and incorporating raw yogurt, cheeses and butter.

17. Do good work. Prepare your food and nurse your family with love. Whatever it is you choose to do, do it with aplomb, commitment and joy.

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and may not be construed as medical advice. The reader is encouraged to make independent inquires and to seek the advice of a licensed health care provider.

Holistic medicine is health care that comprises all the aspects of one’ s personality to obtain the optimum state of wellness. It encompasses the process of looking into the wholeness of the person including nutritional, physical, environmental, spiritual, lifestyle and social values. Holistic medicine includes virtually all treatments and diagnosis known to achieve balance in personality. It upholds the responsibility of educating one’s self to attain the ideal over-all health and well being.

Holistic medicine and Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine is commonly associated with holistic medicine. By definition, alternative medicine is the medical techniques that are usually not accepted or practiced by conventional medical practitioners. Most alternative medicines are founded to have rooted on unscientific, untested and untraditional principles. Often, these forms of medicine are closely associated with metaphysical components and anti-scientific stands.

Many of these techniques don’t normally have pharmaceutical values like the acupuncture, herbalism, Reiki, homeopathy and the likes. Yet the alternative medicine may also be used in experimental non-drug and drug techniques that are not yet accepted in the medical circles. The future of alternative medicine holds on the potentiality of transforming the “alternative medicine” into conventional medicine since it is now becoming widely appreciated and practiced by medical doctors. In fact, complementary medicine is the term used for alternative medicine practiced in combination with conventional medicine.

Due to these changes in view of the alternative medicine, holistic medicine has become a more preferable option among those who are quite doubtful of the alternative medicine.

Alternative medicine may appeal to metaphysical beliefs and so does the holistic medicine but on milder and more scientifically based approach. Yet the knowledge applied in holistic medicine still cannot hide the fact that it tends to cling to non-scientific knowledge.

Simply put holistic medicine claims to cure and treat the whole person. Holistic medicine stresses out the unification of the mind and the physical body. Holistic medicine practitioners give credence to the belief the man is not a pure physical body with systems and parts that encompass it. Man is also a spiritual being that requires spiritual healing. Holistic medicine concerns itself to the belief of the connection between the spirit and emotions and mind.

The gap between holistic medicine and alternative medicine is closed by the common practice of not using drug treatments and surgeries. They usually employ meditation, herbs, prayers, vitamins and minerals, as well as exotic diets in treating certain ailments.
Holistic Medicine and Conventional Medicine

Allopathy or conventional medicine defines individual health as the non-occurrence of diseases, which appeals to be a negative approach in defining the condition. Holistic medicine on the other hand concerns itself on a person’s absolute state of physical, social, mental and spiritual well-being.

As based on the definition given (that is commonly used among medical practitioners), orthodox medicine remains to deal with one’s susceptibility to diseases instead of the wellness as opposed by holistic medicine. Based on common observations, conventional medicine typically doesn’t apply to healthy individuals. While holistic medicine focuses on the quality of living practiced by people. Sick people normally don’t seek medical attention not until the symptoms of the disease/s are obvious. Thus, there is too little preventive treatment against sickness.

There are great differences between holistic medicine and the conventional type both in the diagnosis and treatments. Most of which are scientifically based. In oppose to this stand, diagnosis in holistic treatment are conceived through the manifestations of body imbalance. These are determined through certain procedures distinctive only to holistic medicine and other related medicinal practices.

People who have already undergone any of these procedures claim that is not bad trying on or all of these practices. Yet individual preferences still have the hand on what will be accepted as the ideal procedure.