Are you puzzled by the word Holistic? You see it everywhere, almost as though it were a prefix/adjective to every single noun out there– Holistic Medicine, Holistic Food, Holistic Nutrients, Holistic Interior Design…the list is endless. But what exactly does it mean?
Honestly I used to think it was just about using everything natural – you know all without added chemicals etc but instead turning to herbs, plants, flowers (basically all things botanical) for the solution. But one thing got me thinking, if Holistic was all about using all natural ingredients then why the separate terminology? Why wasn’t it all things Holistic just called All Natural – ready and widespread term used for all products using natural (not necessarily organic though) ingredients.
That just likely means there must be a difference, but what is it?
And with that thought, my brain sparked this need to find out so I asked around, did some reading up and can now ‘briefly’ share with you what I have found out.
- Holistic in grammar is an adjective.
- It is an approach that is concerned with wholes or with complete systems rather than with the just that of individual dissected parts.
- Holistic views man and the environment as a single system which must be respected
- If one speaks of Holistic Food then the following is referred to:
- Food in its’ original state as found in Nature, unprocessed, without additives/ artificial enrichment or fortification of any sort and will retain its’ natural properties throughout the course of preparation.
- Food that nourishes and rejuvenates one- person or pet as a whole by providing benefits for body, the mind and the soul.
- Holistic Medicine on the other hand is a bit more complex:
- It is defined by The American Holistic Medical Association (AHMA) as “the art and science of healing that addresses the whole person – body, mind, and spirit.”
- It has a primary and secondary treatment options where the first is non-invasive (Love applied to body, mind, and spirit with: diet, exercise, environmental measures, attitudinal and behavioral modifications, relationship and spiritual counseling, bioenergy enhancement.) and the second is where actual medications are introduced.[Botanical (herbal) medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, manual medicine, biomolecular therapies, physical therapy]
- Now this part gets a bit confusing because some people say that in Holistic Medicine, drugs, and surgery are completely not used, but others say they are, but only as a last resort.
- Holistic Interior Design is something quite new to me. But I suppose it’s the same concept as Fung Shui interior design, where the designs merely follows the approach of the practice system.
- Therefore Holistic Interior Design is actually eco-friendly because under the Holistic concept it would aim to find a balance between man and nature.
- Holistic Interior design promises stylish, functional, practical, healthy, comfortable and environmentally friendly interior.
Well I can’t say that this post will answer all questions you have on the Holistic Lifestyle because I know I’ve still got some queries unanswered, but what I can tell you is living green is part of the Holistic way of life.
