Sun
19
Apr
Healing from the inside out: understanding holistic medicine
by Dr. Jacki Hart
The true distinctions and similarities between Western and holistic medicine remain unclear to many people. However, a readers recent question has presented me the opportunity to highlight the fundamental differences between these two approaches to health. The question posed was this: "are there any herbs that act the same as antibiotics to help keep ones body healthy—"
Yes, there are many herbs (outlined below) with known antimicrobial activity. (Microbes are organisms that may cause infection; antimicrobials are agents that fight infection.) However, herbs and other holistic forms of medicine are not prescribed in the same manner as antibiotics. Herbs counteract viruses and bacteria primarily by strengthening the immune system, while antibiotics are designed to eradicate a specific organism. The antibiotic of choice is therefore determined by the problem to be treated, while an herbalist designs a regimen either a single herb or a combination of several based on the particular health needs of the person to be treated.
The true distinctions and similarities between Western and holistic medicine remain unclear to many people. However, a readers recent question has presented me the opportunity to highlight the fundamental differences between these two approaches to health. The question posed was this: "are there any herbs that act the same as antibiotics to help keep ones body healthy—"
Yes, there are many herbs (outlined below) with known antimicrobial activity. (Microbes are organisms that may cause infection; antimicrobials are agents that fight infection.) However, herbs and other holistic forms of medicine are not prescribed in the same manner as antibiotics. Herbs counteract viruses and bacteria primarily by strengthening the immune system, while antibiotics are designed to eradicate a specific organism. The antibiotic of choice is therefore determined by the problem to be treated, while an herbalist designs a regimen either a single herb or a combination of several based on the particular health needs of the person to be treated.
The principles of naturopathy
As stated above, antibiotics target the problem, while holistic medicine
treats the person. This represents the crux of the difference between these two
medical models, and the reason that I believe that holistic medicine, when
practiced properly, is one of the most comprehensive approaches to medical care.
The three main principles of naturopathic medicine, which is based in holistic
thinking, exemplify this philosophy of understanding and treating all aspects of
an individuals health. These principles are:
Not everyone exposed to a particular organism, however, will get sick. Therefore, a naturopathic clinician considers what circumstances within the person or his life rendered him susceptible to developing an illness or infection. Then, treatment is designed based on what can be done to treat that internal cause or improve that internal system. This is, essentially, healing from the inside out.
The promise to "do no harm" is part of the Hippocratic oath taken by conventional doctors and is embraced by both systems of medicine. All healers recognize the vital need for appropriate and ethical delivery of medical care that includes the intention of always helping and never hurting others.
This notion suggests that the doctor or healer provides a person with the necessary and appropriate knowledge to make the right choices for her particular health circumstances. For this to work, though, the healer must be an excellent listener and learn about the persons life, including what may be causing or contributing to the development of illness as well as what may affect the efficacy of treatment.
- Tolle causam - identify and treat the underlying cause
- Primumnon nocere - first do no harm
- Docere - the doctor is a teacher
Not everyone exposed to a particular organism, however, will get sick. Therefore, a naturopathic clinician considers what circumstances within the person or his life rendered him susceptible to developing an illness or infection. Then, treatment is designed based on what can be done to treat that internal cause or improve that internal system. This is, essentially, healing from the inside out.
The promise to "do no harm" is part of the Hippocratic oath taken by conventional doctors and is embraced by both systems of medicine. All healers recognize the vital need for appropriate and ethical delivery of medical care that includes the intention of always helping and never hurting others.
This notion suggests that the doctor or healer provides a person with the necessary and appropriate knowledge to make the right choices for her particular health circumstances. For this to work, though, the healer must be an excellent listener and learn about the persons life, including what may be causing or contributing to the development of illness as well as what may affect the efficacy of treatment.
- Dont smoke
- Obtain regular, consistent, and adequate amounts of sleep; for most adults this means approximately seven hours per night
- Avoid alcohol
- Learn to manage stress; this includes regular practice of < relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, tai chi, or biofeedback
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a diet rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, such as carotenoids and flavonoids; such a diet is based on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and beans
- Avoid fats, refined sugar, caffeine, and meat
- Obtain protein from lean sources such as fish and soy (e.g., tofu, tempeh, texturized vegetable protein, etc). Fatty fish, including salmon, herring, and mackerel, are especially good choices as they are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which further reduce inflammation
- Multivitamin with minerals
- Vitamin C, 250 to 500 milligrams two times per day; bioflavonoids, 1,000 milligrams per day, improves the absorption of vitamin C
- L-carnitine, 300 milligrams three to four times per day
- Carotene, 25,000 IU per day
- Vitamin E, 400 to 800 IU per day
- Vitamin B complex, 100 milligrams per day, including folate, at least 400 micrograms; vitamins B6 and B12 are particularly important
- Zinc, 30 milligrams per day for prevention of infection; can take more when you have a cold to speed up recovery, but do not exceed 150 to 200 milligrams per day because very high amounts of zinc can actually impair immune function
- Selenium, 200 micrograms per day
Identify and treat the underlying cause of disease
Herbal remedies present an alternative to antibiotics for both prevention and
treatment of infections. Herbs that are commonly used for their antimicrobial
action include the following:
- Astragalus (Astragalus membraneceus) - used to support the immune system and treat viruses such as the common cold
- Calendula flower(Calendula officinalis) - has demonstrated antiviral and antibacterial actions as well as the ability to stimulate the immune system; used in Europe as a tea for throat infections, and externally to promote wound healing
- Echinacea (Echinacea augustifolia, Echinacea pallida, and Echinacea purpurea) - E. augustifolia is generally used to prevent the development of infections, particularly colds and the flu; E. pallida may be used to help treat flu-like infections; E. pupurea herb is used to help treat colds, recurrent bronchitis, and urinary tract infections (the root form of E. purpurea may be used for these purposes but only in combination with other remedies)
- Elder flower (Sambucus nigra) - used to help treat colds, particularly if a fever is present
- Eucalyptus leaf (Eucalyptus globules) - used to treat bronchitis and sinusitis as well as throat inflammation and nasal congestion
- Ivy leaf (Hedera helix) - has demonstrated action against many different types of infections, most notably chronic, recurrent bronchitis; people who are allergic may get an itchy rash in reaction to ivy leaf, called contact dermatitis
- Meadowsweet (Spiraea ulmaria) - supportive treatment for fever, flu, and colds
- Poplar buds (Populus spp.) - used to relieve throat inflammation
- Willow bark (Salix alba) - used to treat cold and flu, particularly if a fever is present