The word “holistic” comes from the word “whole” and means exactly that. Holistic medicine looks at you as a whole person and not just a sum of individual parts. When you have a problem/imbalance, let's say with digestion, holistic medicine wants to know what's going on with you as a whole. This will help to determine what the root of the problem is.

“Ayurveda treats the whole person, not just the organ or system involved.”

-Dr. Vasant Lad, Textbook of Ayurveda 

what is Ayurveda, actually?

Ayurveda, which literally means “Knowledge of Life”, is over 5,000 year old medical system from India. According to Ayurveda, everything on this planet (including our bodies & minds) consist of five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and space. Every individual is a unique combination of these five elements. Disease develops when we disconnect from nature, when we forget where we come from and who we truly are. Ayurveda helps us to understand our unique constitution, so we know which foods, activities; yoga poses, etc are the best for us.

“The aim of Ayurvedic medicine is to integrate and balance the body, mind, and spirit. This is believed to help prevent illness and promote wellness.” -The National Institutes of Health

What Are the Benefits of Ayurveda and Holistic Medicine?

When you live in harmony with nature, you are disease free, balanced, and happy. You have to reconnect with the nature's rhythms to restore this balance.

Routine is one of the most important aspects in this holistic medicine. You have probably experienced it yourself, when you have a good routine, life seems to flow and there somehow is more time in the day. Ayurvedic Daily Routines (you can think of them as your grandma's wisdom) will start making you and your loved ones feel better immediately.

Once you get your Daily Routines down, you can start implementing some of the Healthy Eating Habits as well. Just these simple changes and you are off to a great start. Of course, Ayurveda is much more than Routine and Eating Habits, but think of these as the roots to better health and well-being. 

Every root needs nourishing soil to feed and strengthen the roots. Without healthy, nutritious, soft soil, nothing grows. The soil consists of:

Slowing Down 
Being Present 
Breathing 

Make your life into meditation. Try to remember your breath anytime you can.

Stop.

Even if it's just   for a second. Realize you are in the present moment. Be grateful. This might be a challenge at first, but I promise it will become second nature in no time. “Practice makes the master.”

Hamro Doctor