What Is Natural Healing and How Does Holistic Medicine Work?

As a life coach and a healer for the last fifteen years, I notice how many people divide allopathic healing and natural healing into separate categories. I prefer an integrated approach to medicine and restorative health, supporting your body-mind-spirit to remember how to heal on its own—sometimes in combination with the allopathic, western medical approach.

Some people feel more comfortable with only the western established medical approach. It can have more immediate results and is often effective in emergencies or to help fix or repair parts that need the technology we now have. Others might lean toward natural healing of the body, mind, and spirit and provide a more integrated lifestyle approach to their healing, recognizing that this lifestyle is an ongoing practice of continuous healing and striving for balance. 

I believe in both/and. When life gets out of balance, you probably don’t need allopathic or western medicine, surgery, or other emergency procedures.  Instead support your body, mind, and spirit in more holistic ways.  For example, you might turn to supplements, journaling, using essential oils, or getting bodywork. Perhaps even something as simple as a bubble bath or meditation can help you feel in balance again. What supports you to stay balanced?

A Delicate Balance?

I try to find a balance combining Western medicine and a more natural alternative or Eastern approach. I use natural healing practices on a day-to-day basis to create on-going balance and harmony in my body, mind, and spirit. I think of these practices as the path that connect me to my own natural healing in an enduring maintenance plan.

I always start my day journaling and reflecting on the good things from the day before and what I want to create for today. I might meditate, exercise, and read some inspiring literature. I often go outside to observe what is happening with nature. The exact combination depends on what is calling me that day. 

The maintenance program you choose of daily rituals or exercise or supplements reflects what is most relevant for you right now. This all depends on what is happening within you and around you—so notice how things are changing and ways that you need to modify your support program.  

What Is Natural Healing?

Natural healing is an opportunity for your body to remember instinctively how it heals and comes back to balance, health, and vitality. 

When something feels “off” —emotionally, physically or spiritually—we notice the areas that create imbalance in our bodies and our psyches. 

In these moments, when you don’t feel well, or are depressed, or your knees hurt, you probably don’t have the energy that you usually have. This is your body giving you a very clear message: “Take better care of me!” 

What is a natural healer?

There are four foundations of health and well-being that are separate yet connected: mental, physical, spiritual and emotional. You become your own best natural healer to connect with and balance these aspects of your health. 

Seasons change, people come and go in your life, and you mature and age. There are job transitions, health issues, children are born, teens leave the home, parents die—and so much more.

Your body and your psyche need different natural healing approaches and practices to stay healthy and vibrant through these changes. You have to be your own social worker and healer, identifying what you need, for what purpose, and when. 

You may be drawn to energy healing, the use of gems and their healing powers, essential oils, nature therapy, art therapy, journaling, spiritual healing, reiki or bodywork. I have investigated many of these natural healing modalities and found they all have their special place for me when a certain area of my life needs balancing or attention. 

And, when you need help, you can find natural healers that are reputable and have been recommended by people you trust. Try searching for alternative medicine, holistic medicine, or Eastern medicine. 

What is the body’s natural healing process?

The body truly understands how to stay in balance, yet sometimes when we have stressed it out, it becomes unbalanced. This is when we can support whatever is showing itself as a “weakness.” 

For myself, my weakness shows up as allergies to food. Therefore, I am often looking for foods that will support me and supplements that will help strengthen my immune system and my overall health.

My Natural healing journey

At 28 years old, I was told I had melanoma and that I might only have five years to live. 

I remember thinking that I would do everything to stay on this planet so I could live a long and productive life. Well, thirty years later I am still here and healthy! 

What did I do? First, I trusted my doctors and had the surgery to remove the tumor. And I trusted that I would heal (as I still know this in my body, mind and heart).

It became crystal clear to me that I needed to completely visualize why I was meant to be here. I told my body that it was already healed. I knew that my mental attitude had a lot to do with my healing recovery. 

Creating a positive mental perspective regarding my physical health and what was possible was crucial. I claimed my life, by thinking, seeing, and knowing I could heal. 

I also don’t bask in the sun for as long as I once used to! So, my behaviors have changed as well. Once my thinking and behaviors supported my health, I knew that I would stay strong.

Are natural remedies better than Western medicine?

The answer always depends on the issue you are facing and how balanced your overall health and wellness is. 

If are in an emergency situation, there is no time to do a natural remedy. At that point, you just need to go to the hospital and find out what is happening quickly and how to address it. 

When you have time and the issue is not an emergency, then natural remedies can be a great way to support and rebalance your body. 

For example, having hot water with lemon every morning could be considered a natural remedy for helping balance the pH in your digestive system, boost your vitamin C, and help flush out your liver. But if you are suffering from stomach ulcers or liver disease this choice might not be the first action you take.

Popular natural healing methods

Natural healing is an ongoing journey in learning what you need as you need it. There are so many natural healing methods available. You will want to research the ones that feel most supportive, try them out, and integrate those that support your overall well-being. You will find certain methods will be of greater support than others. Follow your intuition.

If you don’t believe natural healing will work for you, then most likely it will not. Your positive thinking, reframing what you are doing, and visualizing the optimum outcome is an important part of natural healing. Actually, this goes for anything you do! 

Are you ready to start?

Natural healing is about healing yourself. Healing is inherent in nature and your body healing itself is a beautiful example of how nature heals. By integrating tools and techniques to center and balance the body, mind, and spirit you allow optimal well-being and vitality to occur. 

I invite you to explore what natural healing means to you and to your holistic well-being.

What natural healing practices do you find helpful? Which ones are you hoping to try? Tell me more in the comments below!