Healing from the inside out: understanding holistic medicine

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 individual's health. These principles are:

• Tolle causam - identify and treat the underlying cause
• Primumnon nocere - first do no harm
• Docere - the doctor is a teacher

While this principle is followed in Western (or allopathic) medicine as well as naturopathy, these two approaches are quite different. Making a diagnosis within the allopathic model can mean applying a label without fully addressing the underlying cause. In the search for that cause, a medical doctor often looks for an external agent, such as a particular organism, that entered the person's body and created an infection.

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 person's life, including what may be causing or contributing to the development of illness as well as what may affect the efficacy of treatment.

• Don't 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

Consider taking the following nutritional supplements:

• 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

Holistic medicine is most effective when it is designed around a person's specific health needs. Therefore, for the best and most complete plan to support your immune function, see a naturopath or other holistic specialist. Your regular medical doctor may be able to recommend such a specialist.