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From Ancient Wisdom to Modern Science: What Are Holistic Systems of Healing?

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(Audio) What Are Holistic Systems of Healing?

Holistic healing systems focus on treating the individual as a whole rather than targeting isolated symptoms. These approaches consider multiple facets of a person's life—such as emotional and physical well-being, spiritual health, social aspects, environmental factors, lifestyle, and diet—to promote optimal wellness. Unlike conventional medicine, which often concentrates on specific ailments, holistic practices aim to restore balance and harmony within the entire system. In this post, we'll briefly review a few holistic systems of medicine developed from ancient times to modern era.


Key Holistic Healing Systems

1. Ayurveda - An ancient Indian system focusing on balance among body types (doshas), diet, herbal remedies, and lifestyle.

2. Unani Medicine - A Greco-Arabic system rooted in the teachings of Hippocrates and Galen, later developed by Arab and Persian scholars that emphasizes balance among bodily humors and uses natural therapies, dietary regulation, pharmacotherapy, and physical interventions to restore and maintain health. 3. Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) - also known as Persian Medicine, is a holistic and ancient medical system rooted in the concept of balancing the four humors—blood (dam), phlegm (balgham), yellow bile (safra), and black bile (sauda)—and emphasizes individualized care based on a person’s unique temperament, or Mizaj, to maintain health and prevent disease

4. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) - Includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, tai chi, and qi gong, based on the flow of energy (qi) through meridians.

5. Indigenous Native American Healing Traditions - holistic, earth-based practices that integrate spiritual ceremonies, herbal medicine, and community rituals—such as sweat lodges, smudging, and the use of sacred symbols like the medicine wheel—to promote harmony and balance among the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of a person.

6. Lāʻau Lapaʻau Hawaiian Healing System - traditional Native Hawaiian healing practice that uses medicinal plants, spiritual guidance, and holistic principles to restore balance and treat illness by addressing the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit

7. Homeopathy - Based on the principle of “like cures like,” using highly diluted substances to stimulate the body’s healing response.

8. Anthroposophic Medicine - Integrates conventional medicine with spiritual insights, using therapies like eurythmy, art therapy, and natural remedies.

9. Chiropractic Care - a non-invasive, hands-on healthcare approach that focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing disorders of the spine, muscles, joints, and nervous system—primarily through manual adjustments and without the use of medication or surgery

10. Naturopathic Medicine - Emphasizes natural remedies and the body’s ability to heal itself, focusing on identifying and addressing the underlying cause of health issue. It often combines nutrition, herbal medicine, hydrotherapy, physical medicine, and lifestyle counseling, and in certain cases pharmacological agents.

11. Functional Medicine - A modern approach that seeks to identify and address the root causes of disease, often using personalized approaches including lifestyle and nutritional interventions.


Science Supporting Holistic Approaches

Emerging research validates many holistic practices, however, not all holistic therapies are supported by strong research. Therefore, it is important to work only with Licensed and Credentialed Practitioners who have been trained in using holistic treatments that are backed by evidence. In general:

- Herbal medicine shows promise in managing inflammation, anxiety, hormonal balance, digestive disorders, and many other ailments.

- Studies in ecological immunology show how traditional diets and plant medicines support immune resilience.

- Mind-body therapies like yoga, meditation, and breathwork are linked to reduced stress, improved immune response, and better cardiovascular health.

- A growing body of research supports Musculoskeletal manipulations effectiveness in certain clinical scenarios.


Bridging Holistic and Conventional Care

Integrative medicine—which combines evidence-based conventional care with holistic practices—is growing rapidly in hospitals, clinics, and wellness centers worldwide. Practitioners from both paradigms are collaborating to offer whole-person care that treats the body, mind, and environment. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) and many functional medicine practitioners are trained to integrate both holistic and aspects of conventional medical science, though their training, licensing, and recognition vary.


Final Thoughts: Healing the Whole You

Whether you are managing a chronic illness, seeking preventive care, or looking to improve overall well-being, holistic systems of healing offer time-tested and scientifically grounded solutions. Naturopathic and functional medicine, in particular, are paving the way for a future of personalized, root-cause, and empowered healthcare. It is important to work only with providers who are certified or licensed in their field (e.g., naturopathic doctors (ND or NMD), acupuncturists, functional medicine physicians, etc.). Make sure to verify credentials and seek those who collaborate with conventional providers.



Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, lifestyle, or health care regimen.


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    ©2025 by Nazanin Safaei, ND, MS


©2023 by Vivid Health Naturopathic.

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