A Comparative Analysis: Holistic Medicines vs. Conventional Medicine

This essay provides a comprehensive comparison between holistic and conventional medicine, arguing for the superiority of holistic approaches. It examines the historical context, emphasizing the shift towards natural therapies. The essay highlights the benefits of holistic medicine, including improved quality of life by treating the whole mind, body, and spirit. It discusses techniques like meditation, massage therapy, and exercises, detailing their positive impacts on mental and physical health, pain relief, and energy levels. The paper also addresses the limitations of conventional medicine and advocates for holistic practices to enhance overall well-being, supporting the idea that holistic medicine offers a more comprehensive and effective approach to health and wellness. The essay references multiple studies and experts to support its arguments.

Running head: HOLISTIC MEDICINES ARE BETTER THAN CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE
HOLISTIC MEDICINES ARE BETTER THAN CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE
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1HOLISTIC MEDICINES ARE BETTER THAN CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE
HOLISTIC MEDICINES ARE BETTER THAN CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE
Prescription medicines or conventional medicines have helped people avoid disability
and death caused due to diseases for years (van Eikenhorst, Salema & Anderson, 2017).
However, in the 21st century, many people want to use more natural, less drug-oriented therapies
which are alternative to conventional medicines. Holistic medicines are claimed to be better than
traditional medicine. In the same perspective, the paper aims to discuss the reasons that make
holistic medicines better than conventional medicines. The paper will focus on the impact and
the benefits of holistic medicine such as emotional, psychological and mental benefits.
According to Wardle, 2016, the natural therapies that are used in holistic medicine are
age-old methods as compared to the western form of treatments such as surgeries and antibiotics.
Holistic medicines are better than conventional medicine as it provides quality of life as
medicine. Holistic medicines have the capability of treating the whole mind, body, and spirit. It
is a combination of both traditional as well as contemporary medicine. For example, the holistic
approach of treating cancer would be using both chemotherapy and acupuncture. According to El
Sayed et al. (2014), the benefit of holistic medicine is that it helps in fighting back the disease in
more appropriately. Through a holistic approach, the side effects of the hard medications are
reduced which helps in easing some of the significant problems associated with the side effects
and well-being is improved. According to researches, the mental state can profoundly influence
physical health. The holistic medicine helps in making alignment between minds and bodies that
helps in making improvement in the health. Techniques such as meditation, guided imaginary are
highly beneficial in improving mental health. Therefore, when mental health is considered to
provide the patients are able to fight the disease more efficiently.

2HOLISTIC MEDICINES ARE BETTER THAN CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE
According to Chevallier (2016), holistic medicine helps in relieving pain as well as
boosts the energy level. People may undergo massage therapy and aromatherapy as a way of
manipulating and rubbing the body tissue for physical and mental relaxation. Patients begin
holistic medicines in order to avoid high doses of drugs. They start with physical exercises such
as yoga, osteopathy, and an infusion of more physical activity (Ali et al., 2015). Also, the holistic
approach involves acupuncture, mind-body techniques, exercises, aromatherapy, diet control,
and nutrition care. These factors play a significant role in treating a specific disease. While the
conventional method focuses on drugs, the holistic way emphasizes on these factors. The
treatment process becomes painless when natural processes are involved. Gentle movements
while exercising help in reliving extreme tiredness and pain. It helps the patient sleep better.
Therapy helps the patient to relax and cope with the stress that a patient may face reducing the
side effects. Therapy has proven to be the best method of keeping the mind and body at rest and
calm. Also, along with reducing pain exercises helps in regulating the hormone level that have a
positive impact on every organ and cell of the human body. For patients, fighting the emotional
stress is one of the challenging factors, therapies help in calming emotions, relieve anxiety and
increase the general sense of health and well being.
Holistic medicine increases the feeling of well-being and helps the patient with
concentration and focused mind. Both exercise and meditation help in changing the way of
thinking in patients, the most significant part, as it helps in battling with illness is to gain
motivation. There are endless health benefits of meditation. Therefore, meditation has been one
of the most efficient natural processes of several health benefits. Meditation is highly effective
in promoting emotional health by enhancing self-awareness. It helps in fighting addiction and
builds positive energy around. Meditation along with frequent exercises and proper sleeping

3HOLISTIC MEDICINES ARE BETTER THAN CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE
hours enhance the mind to become aware of the surrounding. According to Yagli and Ulger
(2015), yoga and meditation are natural ways that help in reducing mental diseases and memory
loss.
The present culture has placed the healthcare industry in a powerful position. Prescription
medicines or conventional medicines have helped people avoid disability and death caused due
to diseases for years. The advancement in medicine has become helpful in reducing mortality
rate; however; it has also become the business of illness rather than health. Holistic medicine is
the way of bringing hope and increased health to people with the illness. Therefore, regardless of
the type of conventional medicine that is used by the patient, holistic and traditional medicines
are certainly better.

4HOLISTIC MEDICINES ARE BETTER THAN CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE
References:
Ali, B., Al-Wabel, N. A., Shams, S., Ahamad, A., Khan, S. A., & Anwar, F. (2015). Essential
oils used in aromatherapy: A systemic review. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical
Biomedicine, 5(8), 601-611.
Chevallier, A. (2016). Encyclopedia of herbal medicine. Penguin.
El Sayed, S. M., Al-quliti, A. S., Mahmoud, H. S., Baghdadi, H., Maria, R. A., Nabo, M. M. H.,
& Hefny, A. (2014). Therapeutic benefits of Al-hijamah: in light of modern medicine and
prophetic medicine. American Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 2(2), 46-71.
van Eikenhorst, L., Salema, N. E., & Anderson, C. (2017). A systematic review in select
countries of the role of the pharmacist in consultations and sales of non-prescription
medicines in community pharmacy. Research in Social and Administrative
Pharmacy, 13(1), 17-38.
Wardle, J. (2016). The Australian government review of natural therapies for private health
insurance rebates: what does it say and what does it mean?. Advances in Integrative
Medicine, 3(1), 3-10.
Yagli, N. V., & Ulger, O. (2015). The effects of yoga on the quality of life and depression in
elderly breast cancer patients. Complementary therapies in clinical practice, 21(1), 7-10.