Today the debate rages among followers of holistic medicine and those who believe in the truth of conventional, pharmaceutical-based medicine. While conventional doctors decry holistic medicine as quackery, holistic doctors believe that conventional medical doctors are in the pocket of big pharmaceutical companies.
Holistic Medicine was the Only Medicine
For hundreds of years, the holistic approach in medicine was the only approach. Herbs, plant-based compounds, and homeopathic remedies sought to relieve symptoms and treat the underlying conditions leading to illness.
The local doctor not only knew his patients from the local church or community, he visited them in their homes. The holistic approach to medicine includes knowing the patient's mental, physical and spiritual state, and in centuries past healers knew this and more.
While doctors began to learn more about anatomy, physiology, and the concept of bacteria and viruses causing disease in the 1800s, it wasn't until the early 1900s that the holistic medicine diverged sharply from convention medicine to the point where the two today are rarely reconciled.
Family Feud: The War Between Holistic Medicine and Conventional Doctors
Just after World War I is when the holistic and homeopathic community began to diverge from what we call today conventional medicine, especially in the United States. As more pharmaceutical remedies developed, along with lab testing, vaccines, surgical techniques and a better understanding of the causes of disease, Western medical schools emphasized these techniques over ancient herbal, holistic medicine, and homeopathic remedies. Governments encouraged research into drugs and vaccines, often at the expense of natural plant-based cures. For serious and life-threatening illnesses and diseases, many pharmaceutical remedies saved lives and prevented suffering.
The actual term "holistic" was coined in 1926 by Jan Smuts. The holistic approach to medicine views the person as a whole rather than symptoms or a disease. Instead of treating just the symptom, holistic practitioners treat the entire person including the mental, physical and spiritual aspects.
By the 1970s, the glamor had worn thin for many people who viewed the conventional medical world with skepticism. New information about the harmful side effects of so-called miracle drugs came to light. Many people sought natural cures, leading them full circle back to the roots of medicine: holistic remedies, herbs, diet and nutrition therapy as well as homeopathic treatments.
Holistic Alternative Medicine Today
Holistic, alternative medicine today is alive and well and one of the fastest-growing areas of interest. The rising cost of medical insurance, the dangers of vaccines and too many unnecessary pharmaceutical drugs, and the desire for wellness rather than a quick fix leads many people to explore holistic alternative medicine.
Many people begin their holistic education by exploring:
- Alternative remedies, especially for common conditions such as arthritis
- Diet and holistic nutrition approaches to healing, which emphasize fresh, unprocessed foods and organic foods whenever possible
- Acupuncture, massage and other physical modalities
- Detoxification and colon cleansing
- Yoga, t'ai chi, and other gentle exercises
- Meditation to relieve stress
- Herbs and herbal remedies
- Homeopathic remedies
- Ayurveda and Chinese medicine
Holistic treatment isn't right for every situation, but in many cases it can offer a gentle alternative to harsh drugs or surgery. Some emergencies such as a broken leg, cardiac problems, and other life-threatening illness demand a trip to a conventionally trained doctor or to a hospital emergency room. But chronic acid reflux, annoying fatigue, and insomnia are just some examples of conditions that respond well to holistic medicine.
While many conventional doctors still decry the holistic approach as snake oil and quackery, others are starting to incorporate holistic remedies in their treatment plans. Many are starting to become concerned with the side effects of drug therapies and the quality of life for their patients with chronic diseases. Sometimes holistic treatment, nutritional therapy, or herbal remedies offer gentler treatments for chronic illness than pharmaceutical remedies. Many doctors are now seeking holistic education to learn how they can incorporate the various holistic remedies into their conventional practice.
The war is far from over, but both sides are at the table and talking. The history of holistic medicine has come full circle to become integrated with conventional medicine.
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