Sometimes called “complementary medicine,” or “alternative medicine,” holistic medicine is an array of healing and self-help practices drawn from many cultures. The goal of holistic medicine is to facilitate the body’s natural healing processes through complementary or alternative therapies. Often controversial, some of these methods are well documented and studied scientifically, others are based on historical tradition, while others are based on theory and have not yet been well studied.

Holistic practitioners often view themselves as teachers who educate, empower, and motivate their patients or clients to lead healthier lives, emphasizing prevention as the best cure. Holistic medicine is often used in conjunction with conventional medicine.