Holistic healing practices differ from conventional medicine by emphasizing collaboration between patient and practitioner to create an overall sense of wellness in mind, body, and spirit.
No matter if it’s to reduce anxiety, ease depression or support healthy sleep – holistic products offer natural solutions. Learn about all they offer so that you can find one best suited to you.
Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine is a holistic healing product made from plants to improve health and wellbeing. You can buy herbal remedies in capsule, tincture and liquid drop form from health food shops and chemists, while it may be prescribed by a naturopath or herbal practitioner.
Different herbs offer varied medicinal properties to help balance your body, such as echinacea being used as an immune booster and painkiller, or Meadowsweet being known for containing salicylic acid which can be used to make aspirin; additionally, other chemicals in its plants could prevent stomach irritation.
Herbal medicines do not go through the same rigorous testing processes as pharmaceutical medications, yet many believe them to be safer alternatives. When purchasing herbal remedies from untrusted sources it’s wise to use caution, and only take them after consulting your GP as some supplements could interact with pharmaceutical medications and harm your health.
Nutritional Supplements
Holistic healing approaches often include nutritional supplements as part of an overall health plan. While traditional medicine focuses on treating symptoms once they occur, holistic healing focuses on prevention and setting long-term goals to achieve optimal wellbeing. Furthermore, holistic healing provides education on making healthier decisions.
Nutritional supplements consist of vitamins, minerals, and herbs and are frequently associated with Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). Supplements may be added to food to increase its nutritional value or consumed as pills or liquids; examples include flour fortified with iron as well as the B vitamins Thiamin Riboflavin Niacin; citrus fruits are often fortified with Vitamin C while Iodine may be added to salt for goitre reduction purposes.
Holistic healing has gained in popularity in recent years and this relatively new trend combines elements from traditional wellness plans with nutritional practices and herbal remedies to create something entirely unique.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses essential oils and aromatic plant compounds to promote physical and emotional well-being. These concentrated plant extracts may be inhaled directly, applied topically or diffused throughout a room for maximum effect.
Oils stimulate olfactory receptors in the nose, activating reactions within the limbic system that influence emotions and penetrating skin to interact with body’s endocrine system for direct effects on physiological processes.
Studies suggest that certain essential oils, like lavender and chamomile, can help those feeling anxious to relax more quickly. Furthermore, their scent can aid with sleep problems or hot flashes.
Essential oils of high quality should always be utilized and any labeled as perfume or fragrance should be avoided as these often contain synthetic ingredients that do not provide therapeutic benefits comparable to pure essential oils. To make sure that you use just the appropriate amount, always dilute before applying or adding to a bath or body soak.
Meditation
Meditation is a practice designed to increase awareness of the present moment. Spiritual traditions all over the world use it as a way of sharpening focus, connecting body and breath, accepting difficult emotions, and accepting hard experiences. Studies have also demonstrated its many physical benefits including stress reduction and improved immunity.
Meditation involves sitting comfortably and focusing on breathing. If your thoughts wander off course, accept it without judgement and return your focus back onto breathing.
Multiple studies demonstrate that people who practice meditation regularly exhibit certain changes to their brains, including denser tissue and increased connections among neurons. While these changes could help improve mental health, further research needs to be conducted into how meditation may best be utilized and under what conditions. Before trying meditation or any holistic healing methods such as yoga or massage therapy, always consult your healthcare provider in order to gain the full picture and make the best decisions regarding your wellbeing.