There are a lot of healing practices available to preserve our health and cure the disease states. The most advanced conventional medicine is based on a reductionist approach and works by suppressing the symptoms with strong synthetic drugs. As a contrast to this, holistic healing is a branch of medicine managing the health holistically, i.e. by integrating the mind, body, and soul, making use of natural herbs, and treating the root cause of the problem. A holistic doctor is trained to diagnose, prevent, and treat diseases based on these principles.
 

A holistic doctor is also called a holistic health practitioner. In many holistic healing practices, herbs play a key role in alleviating the imbalances in the body. Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, unani, etc. are common holistic healing practices. Many conventional doctors trained in modern medicine are also following holistic medicines these days.
 

All healing practices in holistic medicine concentrate on alleviating the root cause of the disease, and a holistic doctor is an expert in diagnose diseases based on the symptoms and examinations such as pulse reading. Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, and homeopathy medicines treat problems using various herbs. The herbs are either used in their crude form or are processed to make various dosage forms. These medicines are commonly known as holistic herbal medicines.

These days many active principles extracted from herbs are being used by conventional doctors. In holistic medicines, healing occurs by improving the immunity of the person through herbs or other procedures. Apart from herbs, diet and lifestyle modification are important parts of holistic healing medicines. Holistic health practitioners educate on preserving health through diet and lifestyle changes. Treating the root cause of the disease in these healing therapies prevents the recurrence of disease. Holistic healing stresses on conserving the health of healthy individuals rather than treating the disease in unhealthy individuals.

Usually holistic health practitioners work on chronic health problems for which conventional medicine has no answer. Holistic healing experts are well-qualified like conventional doctors and they rely on herbs and diet changes rather than synthetic drugs for managing chronic health issues. A lot of people around the world prefer these herbs over synthetic drugs as the former is safe and effective.
 

Cooperation of individuals is important in adhering to the diet and lifestyle changes recommended by holistic doctors. This kind of healing is considered ‘holistic’ since it looks at the whole person including their “physical, nutritional, environmental, emotional, social, spiritual, and lifestyle values” as described by Canadian Holistic Medical Association.