You are what you eat, breathe and think
Health is a dynamic and intricate balance that depends not only on the physical substances we consume but also on the experiences, thoughts, and emotions we cultivate. From what we ingest, breathe, and apply to our bodies, to how we think and feel, everything plays a role in our overall well-being. A natural and holistic approach to health emphasises the interconnectedness of all these factors, viewing the body, mind, and spirit as a unified system. This perspective encourages a mindful and conscious approach to health, where we recognise the profound impact of what we introduce into our bodies - not just through food and medicine, but also through air, thoughts, and external applications.

A person's health is defined by what goes into a person, whether it be through:
- Ingestion: What you take through the mouth (food, liquids, drugs, medicines, tobacco, alcohol, supplements, etc.)
- Inhalation: What you breathe in through the nose and mouth (air, gases, smoke, etc.)
- Injections/inoculations: Vaccines, medicines, drugs, opiates, etc.
- Anointment: Ointments, applications, creams (steroidal and non-steroidal), lotions, etc.
- Thoughts: Mind activity, including thoughts, imaginations, assumptions, misunderstandings, expectations, emotions, etc.
The following guide explores these five key areas of health, and how mindful choices and homeopathic interventions in each can enhance well-being.
1. Ingestion: Nourishing the body with mindful choices
Ingestion encompasses everything that enters the body through the mouth - food, liquids, medications, supplements, and even substances like tobacco and alcohol. Each of these can either support or hinder health, depending on the quality and nature of what is consumed.
Food and beverages
A natural and holistic approach prioritises whole, nutrient-dense foods over processed or synthetic options. The body thrives on fresh, organic fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats like those found in nuts, seeds, and avocados. These provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support optimal bodily functions, from digestion to immunity. For instance, antioxidants from colourful fruits and vegetables help neutralise free radicals that contribute to ageing and disease.
Hydration
Water is fundamental to life. Hydrating with clean, fresh water, and natural infusions is vital for maintaining balance, flushing toxins, and supporting cellular function. Herbal remedies like chamomile or ginger tea can have added therapeutic effects, such as soothing the digestive system or reducing inflammation.
But, in cases where the body is being treated by classical homeopathic interventions, it is likely that your homeopath would advise you to abstain from herbal infusions, as these could impede the action of the homeopathic medicines.
Supplements
While whole foods should be the primary source of nutrients, supplements can be a useful addition to fill gaps. Natural supplements, such as vitamin D, and magnesium, or herbal formulations like echinacea or ashwagandha, can support immune function, reduce stress, and promote overall vitality.
However, supplements should be viewed as complementary to a healthy diet, not a substitute. It should be kept in mind that if at all they are needed for the body, they should only be taken to regain the healthy balance of the body. Once the balance is regained, these supplements must be stopped, as they often tend to be destructive in nature, if continued past the attainment of healthy status.
Tobacco and alcohol
These substances, when consumed excessively, have a negative impact on health. A holistic approach advocates for moderation or elimination of harmful substances like tobacco, alcohol, and recreational drugs. Their detrimental effects on the body - such as inflammation, liver damage, and respiratory issues - are well-documented.
A holistic view focuses on natural detoxification methods, especially with carefully selected homeopathic medicines, to help reverse the damage caused by such substances.
2. Inhalation: The impact of air quality and breathing
Inhalation refers to the air and gases that enter the body through the nose and mouth. The quality of the air we breathe has a direct and profound effect on our respiratory and overall health.
Fresh air vs pollutants
A holistic health perspective stresses the importance of breathing clean air. Pollutants such as chemicals, smoke, and airborne toxins can cause respiratory conditions, allergies, and even long-term diseases like asthma, COPD and cancer. In urban environments, air purifiers, houseplants, and frequent outdoor exposure to nature, to an extent, can help counteract the effects of pollution.
Homeopathic medicines are extremely efficient in curing these conditions and bringing people back to normality. Deep breathing exercises, like pranayama or mindful breathing, also support lung health and improve oxygen flow, calming the nervous system.
Mindful breathing
Once health is regained through proper homeopathic treatment, it is advisable to indulge in good breathing habits. Deep, slow, and controlled breathing is a cornerstone of holistic practices like yoga and meditation. These techniques not only promote oxygenation of the blood but also balance the nervous system, reduce stress, and enhance mental clarity.
3. Injections and inoculations: A holistic perspective on medicines and vaccines
Injections and inoculations introduce substances directly into the body to fight disease or alleviate symptoms. From vaccines to pain-relieving medications, injections can provide relief, protection or even damage in certain instances. However, a holistic approach encourages individuals to be mindful of the types of substances they allow into their bodies and the potential impact on overall health. If you are not sure of the action and implications of the substance you are injecting, then be wary and mindful of whether you want it in you.
Medicines and drugs
Pharmaceutical interventions are often necessary in acute situations, but holistic health encourages looking at long-term solutions. This involves understanding the root causes of health issues (like stress, poor diet, toxin exposure, mind ailments, hormone disturbances, autoimmune diseases, etc) and addressing them with natural remedies whenever possible. Homeopathy is frequently used in a holistic framework to reduce reliance on pharmaceuticals.
Natural detoxification
A holistic approach also encourages detoxification methods to help the body eliminate synthetic drugs, environmental toxins, and other harmful substances. This can include fasting, drinking detoxifying teas, or using therapies like homeopathy, Ayurveda, saunas and lymphatic massage to support the body's cleansing mechanisms.
4. Anointment: The healing power of external applications
Anointment refers to substances applied to the skin, such as creams, lotions, oils, and ointments. The skin is the body’s largest organ and acts as a barrier to external elements, while also absorbing substances into the bloodstream.
Natural skincare
Many holistic health practices advocate for the use of natural, plant-based products over chemically-laden lotions or steroidal creams. Essential oils (like lavender, tea tree, and eucalyptus) and herbal-infused oils (such as calendula or chamomile) are popular in natural skincare routines due to their soothing, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties. These can be used for conditions ranging from dry skin to muscle pain to emotional stress relief.
Yet, again, use them only temporarily when your body needs them and avoid frequent use.
Avoiding harmful chemicals
Conventional skincare products often contain parabens, phthalates, and artificial fragrances that may disrupt the body's endocrine system and cause skin irritation. Holistic health encourages using gentle, non-toxic products to nourish the skin, such as aloe vera, coconut oil, and honey-based creams.
5. Thoughts: The power of the mind in shaping health
Thoughts, emotions, and mental states are powerful influences on health. A holistic perspective emphasises the importance of mental and emotional well-being in physical health, recognising the mind-body connection. Stress, negative thought patterns, and unprocessed emotions can manifest as physical ailments, ranging from headaches, digestive issues and chronic diseases like hypertension to auto-immune diseases and malignant/cancerous tumours.
One of the most successful areas of homeopathic intervention is bringing the mind back to a healthy state alongside curing physical and emotional ailments in the most holistic and natural manner.
Mindfulness and positive thinking
Practices such as meditation, mindfulness, and cognitive reframing are essential tools in cultivating a healthy mind. By fostering positive thoughts, reducing stress, and increasing self-awareness, individuals can improve their emotional and physical health. The practice of gratitude, for example, has been shown to reduce cortisol levels and promote better sleep and immune function. In most of my consultations, I stress the importance of positive thinking and mindfulness during the counselling section.
Emotional healing
A holistic approach also acknowledges the importance of emotional health. Addressing unresolved emotions, traumas, and mental health challenges through homeopathic therapy, energy healing, or spiritual practices can promote a deeper sense of well-being. Holistic homeopathic healing acknowledges that mental, emotional, and physical health are intertwined, and healing one area invaluably supports the others.
Integrating a natural, holistic and homeopathic approach to health
A homeopathic approach to health recognises the profound impact of what we consume, breathe, apply, and think about. Health is not just the absence of disease but the active cultivation of balance and harmony in all aspects of life. By taking a mindful, natural approach to ingestion, inhalation, external applications, and mental health, we can optimise our body’s innate ability to heal itself and achieve lasting well-being.
A derangement of health would need the appropriate homeopathic treatment to revive normality but, once balance is regained, no more medicine is needed. By embracing a lifestyle centred around nourishing whole foods, clean air, mindful breathing, natural remedies, and positive thinking, we can foster health in a way that respects and nurtures the body, mind, and spirit.
