Course: Fundamentals of Nursing

Topic: Holistic Healing

The Nurses International Community

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Contact info: info@nursesinternational.org

Contact info: info@nursesinternational.org

© 2013-2026 Nurses International (NI) and the Academic Network. All rights reserved.

Student Learning Outcomes

Learners will be able to:

• Define what is meant by holistic healing.

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• Identify examples of Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) and therapies.

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• Explain how traditional medicine and CAM can be used in client care.

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• Explain the nurses role in client education and CAM.

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Contact info: info@nursesinternational.org

© 2013-2026 Nurses International (NI) and the Academic Network. All rights reserved.

Holistic Healing and Holistic Practices

Holistic Healing: Refers to the method where an individual is treated as a whole (body, mind, soul, spirit) not just the disease conditions.

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Holistic Practices:

• A combination of alternative therapies and traditional medicine to do holistic healing.
• Fall outside purely pharmaceutical or surgical treatments.

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Other Names:

Alternative medicine, complementary therapies, holistic practices, natural healthcare, integrative medicine.

University of Minnesota, n.d.

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© 2013-2026 Nurses International (NI) and the Academic Network. All rights reserved.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Complementary and Alternative Medicine:

• Refers to the knowledge, skills, and practices rooted in cultural beliefs, which are used in the prevention, maintenance and treatment of disease.

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• Traditional alternative medicine may include:
• Acupuncture
• Herbal supplements
• Massage

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World Health Organization, n.d.), John Hopkins Medicine, n.d.

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© 2013-2026 Nurses International (NI) and the Academic Network. All rights reserved.

Examples of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

• Some cultures believe that illness can be treated or prevented with herbal supplements, a product made with plants which is taken orally.

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• Examples may include:
• St. John's Wort
• Valerian Root
• Chamomile

John Hopkins Medicine, n.d

Contact info: info@nursesinternational.org

© 2013-2026 Nurses International (NI) and the Academic Network. All rights reserved.

Red Flags!

• Despite being utilised for thousands of years, the efficacy and safety of herbal supplements is under-researched

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• Unlike Western Medicines, many herbal supplements are unregulated - this can pose a safety risk

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• Some herbal supplements should not be taken alongside western medicines
• For example, Red sage has been found to increase the bioavailability of warfarin, leading to increased risk of haemorrhage

NHS, 2022.

Ethnomed.org, N.D

Contact info: info@nursesinternational.org

© 2013-2026 Nurses International (NI) and the Academic Network. All rights reserved.

Examples of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Body:

• Some cultures believe that body-based therapies can prevent or cure illness.

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• Example, Cupping = a therapy in which heated glass cups are placed along the meridians of the body, believed to increase energy and blood flow to the affected area, thereby treating illness.

NCBAHM, N.D

Other body-based therapies include:

• Massage
• Tai chi
• Acupuncture

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© 2013-2026 Nurses International (NI) and the Academic Network. All rights reserved.

Examples of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

• External energy: Some people believe external energies from objects or other sources directly affect a person's health.

• Examples of energy therapies:
• Electromagnetic field therapy
• Reiki
• Qigong

John Hopkins Medicine, n.d

Contact info: info@nursesinternational.org

© 2013-2026 Nurses International (NI) and the Academic Network. All rights reserved.

Examples of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

• Aromatherapy: the practice of using essential oils for therapeutic benefit.

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• Essential oils are plant extracts that produce a pleasant fragrance.

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• When inhaled, scent molecules travel to the amygdala (emotional centre of the brain)
• May have a calming effect

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John Hopkins Medicine, (N.D)

Contact info: info@nursesinternational.org

© 2013-2026 Nurses International (NI) and the Academic Network. All rights reserved.

Critical Thinking Question

Take a moment to discuss any complementary or alternative therapies you have seen being used in the clinical environment.

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How did use of CAM affect patient health outcomes?

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© 2013-2026 Nurses International (NI) and the Academic Network. All rights reserved.

Advantages & Disadvantages of CAM

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© 2013-2026 Nurses International (NI) and the Academic Network. All rights reserved.

Role of the Nurse in CAM

• RNs have an ethical and professional responsibility to support an individual’s choice regarding health care

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• Educate the client about various therapeutic options and the risk and benefits associated with each

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• Health care professionals should be aware of their existence, uses, benefits, and dangers so that they may counsel their patients accordingly

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Contact info: info@nursesinternational.org

© 2013-2026 Nurses International (NI) and the Academic Network. All rights reserved.

Role of the Nurse in CAM: Integrative Medicine

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© 2013-2026 Nurses International (NI) and the Academic Network. All rights reserved.

What would the Nurse do?

Miss A has been admitted to the medical ward with abdominal pain. Despite being in 7/10 pain, she declines analgesia stating that she “doesn’t trust medicines”.

What should you do?

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© 2013-2026 Nurses International (NI) and the Academic Network. All rights reserved.

References

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• Ethnomed.org. (N.D) Chinese and Western Herbal Medicine: A Guide to Potential Risks and Drug Interactions. https://ethnomed.org/wp-content/uploads/2004/09/Chinese-and-Western-Herbal-Medicine-A-Guide-to-Potential-Risks-and-Drug-Interactions-updated0121_a11y.pdf. Accessed 05/05/2026.

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• John Hopkins Medicine (N.D). Herbal Medicines. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/herbal-medicine.

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Accessed 05/05/2026.

• John Hopkins Medicine (N.D). Aromatherapy: Do essential oils really work? https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/aromatherapy-do-essential-oils-really-work. Accessed 05/05/2026

Contact info: info@nursesinternational.org

© 2013-2026 Nurses International (NI) and the Academic Network. All rights reserved.

References:

• NHS (2022). Herbal medicines. https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/herbal-medicines/#:~:text=Herbal%20medicines%20are%20those%20with,harmful%20if%20not%20used%20correctly. Accessed 05/05/2026

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• NCBAHM, (N.D). The Science of Cupping. https://www.ncbahm.org/science-of-cupping/ Accessed 05/05/2026

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• World Health Organization (n.d). Health topics: Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine. Retrieved on 26 og August from https://www.who.int/health-topics/traditional-complementary-and-integrative-medicine#tab=tab_1

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Contact info: info@nursesinternational.org

© 2013-2026 Nurses International (NI) and the Academic Network. All rights reserved.

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Contact info: info@nursesinternational.org

© 2013-2026 Nurses International (NI) and the Academic Network. All rights reserved.

Contact info: info@nursesinternational.org

© 2013-2026 Nurses International (NI) and the Academic Network. All rights reserved.