The Science of Natural Healing

Watch The Science of Natural Healing

  • 2012
  • 1 Season

The Science of Natural Healing is a captivating and informative course from The Great Courses that explores the science behind natural healing and the power of the human body to heal itself. Throughout the course, viewers will learn about the different approaches to natural healing, including Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, and naturopathy, and gain a deeper understanding of how these practices work to promote health and wellbeing.

The course is led by Dr. Mimi Guarneri, a renowned cardiologist and founder of the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine. Dr. Guarneri brings her extensive knowledge and expertise to the course, offering practical insights and strategies for achieving optimal health through natural means.

Over the course of 24 engaging lectures, viewers will explore a wide range of topics, from the basics of natural healing and the importance of a healthy lifestyle to the role of diet, exercise, and mindfulness in promoting wellness.

One of the key themes of the course is the importance of taking a holistic approach to healthcare, which involves treating the whole person, rather than just the symptoms of a particular illness or condition. Viewers will learn about the interconnectedness of the various systems and functions in the body, and how imbalances in one area can lead to issues elsewhere.

Another key area of focus is the power of the mind-body connection, and how our thoughts, attitudes, and emotions can impact our physical health. Through a variety of case studies and examples, Dr. Guarneri illustrates how stress, anxiety, and other psychological factors can contribute to a range of health problems, from heart disease and diabetes to chronic pain and inflammation.

Throughout the course, Dr. Guarneri also touches on a number of controversial topics in the world of natural healing, including the use of supplements and alternative therapies, the effectiveness of acupuncture and other traditional healing practices, and the role of spirituality in promoting health and wellbeing. She offers balanced and evidence-based perspectives on these issues, allowing viewers to form their own opinions and make informed decisions about their own healthcare.

One of the major strengths of The Science of Natural Healing is its clear and accessible presentation style. Dr. Guarneri is a gifted communicator, and she has a talent for breaking down complex concepts and making them accessible to a broad audience. The course is designed to be engaging and interactive, with plenty of visual aids and real-life examples to help viewers connect with the material.

Overall, The Science of Natural Healing is an excellent resource for anyone interested in exploring the science of natural healing and the power of the human body to heal itself. With its compelling lectures and practical insights, the course offers a wealth of information and strategies for achieving optimal health and wellbeing, both physically and mentally. Whether you are new to natural healing or a seasoned practitioner, this course is sure to provide valuable insights and inspiration for your personal journey toward wellness.

The Science of Natural Healing is a series that ran for 1 seasons (24 episodes) between August 31, 2012 and on The Great Courses

The Science of Natural Healing
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Seasons
You Are Your Own Best Medicine
24. You Are Your Own Best Medicine
September 1, 2012
The course concludes with a look at a final fundamental element of your healing: yourself. As provocative food for thought, review research on the question of why people heal and examine clinical evidence on the influence of the patient's outlook and beliefs on the healing process.
Healthy People, Healthy Planet
23. Healthy People, Healthy Planet
September 1, 2012
This lecture looks at constructive actions that impact not only your own health, but the health of the planet. Investigate ecologically sound choices such as buying organic foods and reducing the use of plastics, as well as actions by governments and health-care facilities to eliminate hazardous substances and foster healthy food production.
Ecology and Health
22. Ecology and Health
September 1, 2012
In critical ways, human health is directly linked to the health of our planet. Track the effects on human bodies of environmental factors, including climate change, air pollution, greenhouse gases, the livestock industry, and industrial chemicals, and consider approaches to addressing these matters effectively.
Applying the Lessons of Natural Healing
21. Applying the Lessons of Natural Healing
September 1, 2012
Here, a patient case study demonstrates the integrative approach to healing. Follow the story of a woman whose profile showed diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, and arthritis. See how a comprehensive health plan for her included the factors of dietary changes, micronutrients, specific exercise, stress-reduction tools, and social connection.
Components of Spiritual Wellness
20. Components of Spiritual Wellness
September 1, 2012
Holistic integrative medicine views spirituality as an element of optimal health. In approaching spiritual wellness, track research on forgiveness and positive thought and their effects, both physiological and psychological. Learn specific ways to develop an affirmative emotional outlook, including working with your internal thought patterns and practicing gratitude.
Spirituality in Health
19. Spirituality in Health
September 1, 2012
Increasingly, research is showing a strong connection between spirituality and health. Investigate the evidence demonstrating greater resilience to disease among spiritually active people, and why this may be so. Explore the medical implications of depression and hopelessness, and how holistic medicine integrates physical, mental, and emotional healing.
The Power of Love
18. The Power of Love
September 1, 2012
This lecture poses the question, "Do personal relationships affect health?" Review the extensive clinical research correlating supportive parental, spousal, and social relationships - as well as optimism - with more favorable outcomes for major diseases. Consider the evidence for social connections as treatment for illness and as key ingredients of good health.
Biofield Therapies
17. Biofield Therapies
September 1, 2012
"Biofield" or energy therapies, although controversial, show ample evidence of a positive impact on health. Study the principles of acupuncture, tai chi, homeopathy, and Healing Touch, as well as clinical data on their use in treating a spectrum of conditions, including pain, stress, and cardiac disease.
Natural Approaches to Mental Health
16. Natural Approaches to Mental Health
September 1, 2012
Holistic medicine also offers many avenues for responding to issues of mental health and well-being. Here, explore research on the role of nutrition and nutrient deficiencies in depression and bipolar disorder. Consider holistic approaches to treating depression, including the specific uses of diet, exercise, herbal remedies, and light therapy.
Meditation, Yoga, and Guided Imagery
15. Meditation, Yoga, and Guided Imagery
September 1, 2012
Mind-body techniques are now shifting the paradigm of Western medicine. Learn practical ways to use them in your own life, and review their remarkable clinical effects, including the use of meditation for lowering blood pressure, yoga for treating spinal problems, and mantra repetition in treating post-traumatic stress disorder.
Turning Stress into Strength
14. Turning Stress into Strength
September 1, 2012
Your response to stress is intimately related to how you view the world. In learning to neutralize stress, map your own emotional life and consider research on the effects of positive emotions. Then learn a technique, using focused breathing and imagery, for reaching a positive feeling state and disarming the stress response.
Stress and the Mind-Body Connection
13. Stress and the Mind-Body Connection
September 1, 2012
In the first of three lectures on stress, you investigate the body's stress response. Study the three stress hormones, the physiological changes they produce, and the unhealthy effects of both acute and chronic stress. Also track the psychological impact of stress, and stress's effects on the immune system and aging.
Treating Diabetes Naturally
12. Treating Diabetes Naturally
September 1, 2012
Diabetes is the result of a continuum that begins with the preconditions of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Learn how all of these conditions are directly linked to lifestyle, and how to prevent and even reverse them through the kinds of foods you eat, healthy sleep patterns, and consistent exercise.
Treating High Blood Pressure Naturally
11. Treating High Blood Pressure Naturally
September 1, 2012
A surprisingly rich array of natural treatments is available to counteract high blood pressure. Review the startling statistics showing how blood pressure is lowered by both weight loss and reduced sodium intake. Also study the marked effects of foods, including garlic and seaweed, and micronutrients such as magnesium, vitamin D, and the enzyme CoQ10.
Lowering Cholesterol Naturally
10. Lowering Cholesterol Naturally
September 1, 2012
Pharmaceuticals are not the only avenue for reaching healthy cholesterol levels. Begin by investigating the two kinds of cholesterol and the triglycerides, and their role in your physiology. Learn about specific foods that raise and lower cholesterol and triglycerides, nutritious alternatives to animal protein, and key natural supplements for controlling your cholesterol.
Herbal Remedies
9. Herbal Remedies
September 1, 2012
Many natural herbal substances have proven and significant healing properties. Discover the remarkable medicinal uses of aloe, ginger, and licorice for the GI tract, and of cranberry and saw palmetto for urogenital conditions. Also follow a case study showing the diagnosis and herbal treatment for a patient with chronic migraines.
Vitamins and Supplements
8. Vitamins and Supplements
September 1, 2012
This lecture introduces the central subject of natural supplements. First, investigate the natural products industry and how to determine the quality and purity of supplements you may use. Then study key supplements, including probiotics, selenium, and vitamin D, and their effectiveness in treatment and prevention of ulcerative colitis, diarrhea, and cancer.
Food Sensitivity and the Elimination Diet
7. Food Sensitivity and the Elimination Diet
September 1, 2012
Perhaps surprisingly, numerous physical symptoms and medical conditions can be triggered by sensitivity to foods. Study the six primary food groups related to food sensitivity and allergy, examine the astonishing data linking them to conditions such as migraines and arthritis, and learn about the elimination diet, which locates the specific source of food-related symptoms.
Natural Approaches to Inflammation
6. Natural Approaches to Inflammation
September 1, 2012
Inflammation, a fundamental protective reaction of your body, is also a pathway to many diseases. Discover the multiple causes of chronic inflammation, from pollutants and bacteria to stress and sleep disorders. Learn how to use food as medicine, emphasizing a variety of foods, herbs, and spices that prevent and/or reverse inflammation.
Not All Foods Are Created Equal
5. Not All Foods Are Created Equal
September 1, 2012
Certain key foods have unique properties that set them apart as nutrition "superstars." Starting with the importance of whole foods and fiber, study the most healthful foods in different categories, including grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and proteins, and grasp how the way you cook food affects its nutritional value.
Food Matters
4. Food Matters
September 1, 2012
Holistic integrative medicine speaks deeply to the connection between food and health outcomes. Here, track scientific findings that demonstrate how the food you eat directly affects your heart health as well as numerous medical conditions. Learn about the benefits of the Mediterranean diet and the kinds of foods that promote optimal health.
You Are More Than Your Genes
3. You Are More Than Your Genes
September 1, 2012
This lecture highlights the critical relationship between your genes and how you live your life. Investigate the ways in which nutrition, lifestyle, and stress can affect the outcome of your inborn genetic makeup. Explore the fields of nutrigenomics and pharmacogenomics, which study the interaction of nutrition and medications with the genes.
Understanding Holistic Integrative Medicine
2. Understanding Holistic Integrative Medicine
September 1, 2012
Holistic integrative medicine creates a bridge between Western medicine and the world's other evidence-based healing traditions, making a spectrum of health-care approaches available to you. Learn the philosophy underlying integrative medicine, rooted in partnering with the patient, finding the underlying causes of disease, and caring for the body, mind, and spirit.
1. Shifting the Health-Care Paradigm
1. 1. Shifting the Health-Care Paradigm
August 31, 2012
Investigate the fundamental paradigm of Western medicine - its strength in the treatment of symptoms and its relative deemphasis on illness prevention and long-term health concerns. In contrast, consider an approach to healthcare focusing on the whole human being, integrating the elements of your environment, genes, lifestyle, nutrition, and mental/psychological makeup. #Science & Mathematics
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Where to Watch The Science of Natural Healing
The Science of Natural Healing is available for streaming on the The Great Courses website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch The Science of Natural Healing on demand at Amazon Prime, Amazon and Kanopy.
  • Premiere Date
    August 31, 2012