Five Things You May Not Know About Holistic Healing

1. Of the top 150 drugs prescribed in the US, 118 were originally derived from natural sources.

1. Of the top 150 drugs prescribed in the US, 118 were originally derived from natural sources. Some include:
• Aspirin – originally derived from white willow and meadow sweat
• Tamiflu – from star anise
• Digitalis (a heart medication) – from foxgloves
• Vincristine  (used to treat cancer)– from periwinkle
• Quinine (to treat malaria) – from Cinchona bark
• Oral contraceptive pill – from wild yam and sarsaparilla

2. The Parkinson’s Society of New Zealand is open to the idea that habitual thought patterns may influence illness
• As part of his Masters in Health Science degree, Wellpark College of Natural Therapies Head of Faculty Dr Sridhar Maddela has designed a survey for people with the illness that has been sent out to members of the Parkinson’s Society
• The hypothesis being examined by Sridhar is if perceptions can cause disease
• The survey asks those participating to record what they habitually think over a four week period – for instance about work, relationships, thoughts of the past, future, finances, health etc
• “There is a fundamental hypothesis in terms of Parkinson’s diagnosis that thought patterns – and physical responses to that thinking - may be associated with Parkinson’s,” explains Sridhar.
• He says while many studies on Parkinson’s have focused on external forces such as exposure to pesticides and heavy metals, there have been no studies examining the psyche of those with the illness 

3. Clinical studies have shown that comfrey is better than diclofenac (used in popular pain medications) for ankle sprains
• Used topically, comfrey is also an excellent replacement for arnica and, due to the global demand for arnica, comfrey is also more sustainable
• Comfrey creams and balms can be used for bruises, sprains, strains, aches and pains and are also excellent for skin repair – according to Wellpark (www.wellpark.co.nz) herbal medicine tutor Kate Robertson

4. Coconut oil has antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties and is used by many different cultures for healing

• It contains lauric acid, shown in clinical trials to inactivate lipid coated viruses (such as herpes, Epstein Barr, influenza) and bacteria (such as staphylococcus aureus and helicobacter pylori – which is associated with stomach ulcers)
• Coconuts are one of the only plants that contain saturated fat – but in a healthy form compared to animal sources
• Coconut oil can help prevent heart disease, arteriosclerosis and high cholesterol, according to Kate Robertson
• It is also stable to cook with and does not oxidise at high heats

5. Ayurvedic medical practitioners have been using surgical techniques for hundreds of years – and by the 6th century had already described a perfect health system

• For a health system to work correctly it described needing medical and nursing practitioners who worked with compassion; a self-motivated patient and questioning if the local society could afford such treatments
• For hundreds of years ayurveda has also identified 20 different gynaecological conditions; 20 different causes of urinary tract infections and been able to diagnose conditions such as ulcerative colitis, diabetes and immune disorders
• It also describes the philosophy of karma as having a therapeutic role to play in helping people accept things and move forward positively
• It has also long recognised quackery in medicine – according to Wellpark’s Ayurvedic Head of Faculty Dr Vijay Murthy