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Alternative Medicines

Holistic medicine is based upon Eastern philosophies such as ancient Chinese, but since the early 1960's there has been a merging of so-called Alternative and conventional medicines. This has been brought about also by the attention paid to Holistic medicine through scientific research linking mind and body. Psychology has played a fundamental part in this resurgence with the development of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI), which investigates the connection between the physical body, the mind and the self protection mechanisms which is shown in the immune systems of individuals.

During the 1970's psychologist, Robert Alder, demonstrated that the immune system of rats could be conditioned to be depressed/controlled.

PNI argues the connection between human emotions and their effects upon physical health. Later research also indicates emotions can make people susceptible to some illnesses, especially cancer and heart disease. Herbert Benson, pioneer in the effects of relaxation, states that the "Faith Factor" meaning a deep, religious or philosophical faith plays a significant role in physical health and well-being.

The word Holistic is from the Greek word Holos (Whole). Which was coined by Jan Smuts in 1926, who was a student of biology and later went on to become the first Prime Minister of South Africa

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