Preventive Care & Traditional Health Practices
by Dr. Edison de Mello, MD, PhD
As we enter the reflective season of November, it’s a perfect time to honor our ancestors and their contributions to our health journeys. Throughout history, our families have passed down wisdom regarding wellness, and today, we have the opportunity to build upon that legacy. From herbal remedies to the mind-body connection, many wellness strategies once viewed as folklore are now supported by scientific research.
The wellness practices passed down through generations often hold invaluable insights for our current health journeys. Our ancestors understood the rhythms of nature and the healing properties of herbs, developing remedies that catered to both physical and spiritual well-being.
My path as a healer started with my dear grandmother. I was always fascinated by her knowledge of herbs and a her deep care for others. Her teachings remind me of the importance of reconnecting with these ancestral gifts. By integrating these time-honored practices into our modern approaches to health, we can cultivate a more holistic understanding of well-being, bridging the gap between past and present.
At Akasha, we believe in integrating traditional wisdom with modern science to create a comprehensive approach to health. Through my journey as a physician, I’ve come to understand that actual healing can only happen when addressing the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.
Understanding Family History
Your family history can offer valuable insights into your well-being. From genetic predispositions to understanding your roots can empower you to make informed decisions about your health. This month, consider engaging in our Genetic Testing service, which helps identify inherited health risks and informs personalized wellness strategies.
Knowledge is a powerful tool in the journey to optimal health. Understanding your family history, including hereditary conditions and lifestyle habits, equips you with the insights necessary to make informed decisions about your well-being. This awareness enables you to identify potential health risks, seek preventive care, and adopt lifestyle changes that align with your unique genetic makeup.
Preventive Care
Preventive care, including Annual Physical Exams, is essential for maintaining optimal health and well-being. These regular check-ups allow healthcare providers to assess your overall health, identify potential risk factors, and catch any emerging health issues early, before they become more serious. During an annual physical exam, your provider will conduct various assessments, such as measuring vital signs, reviewing your medical history, and performing necessary screenings based on your age, gender, and family history.
By establishing a relationship with your healthcare provider through regular visits, you can create a personalized plan that addresses your unique health needs and goals. This proactive approach not only enhances your quality of life but also fosters a deeper understanding of how your family’s health history can inform your preventive strategies, allowing you to take charge of your well-being for years to come.
Traditional health practices that have stood the test of time.
Incorporating Wellness Wisdom from Our Ancestors can greatly enhance our understanding of health and healing. Many traditional practices, once considered folklore or myth, have gained scientific validation over time, demonstrating the efficacy of age-old remedies. Here are a few notable examples:
- Herbal Remedies: Our ancestors often relied on herbs for healing, using plants like echinacea for immune support, ginger for digestive health, and turmeric for its anti-inflammatory properties. Modern research has confirmed many of these traditional uses, showcasing the power of nature in supporting wellness.
- Mind-Body Connection: Practices like meditation and yoga have ancient roots in various cultures, promoting mental clarity and physical health. Recent studies have demonstrated their benefits in reducing stress, anxiety, and chronic pain, highlighting the importance of the mind-body connection.
- Fermented Foods: Our ancestors consumed foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, and yogurt, which are rich in probiotics. These foods were known to promote gut health and digestion long before the science of microbiomes emerged, now recognized for their crucial role in overall health.
- Seasonal Eating: Many cultures practiced eating seasonally, aligning their diets with the natural cycles of the earth. This concept is now backed by nutrition science, which emphasizes the benefits of consuming local, seasonal produce for optimal health and nutrient density.
- Bone Broth: Traditionally used as a healing food, bone broth is rich in collagen, amino acids, and minerals. Scientific research has confirmed its benefits for joint health, gut integrity, and skin elasticity, validating its place in modern nutrition.
- Essential Oils: Ancient cultures utilized essential oils for their therapeutic properties. Today, studies support the use of oils like lavender for relaxation and peppermint for digestive relief, demonstrating the enduring power of these natural remedies.
- Laughter and Community: Practices surrounding community gatherings and laughter were common in many cultures, reinforcing social bonds. Research has shown that laughter can reduce stress and promote emotional health, validating the wisdom of our ancestors in prioritizing social connections.
By acknowledging and integrating these ancestral practices into our modern wellness approaches, we not only honor our heritage but also enhance our overall health and vitality.
Reflect, Restore, and Revitalize
This November, as you honor the health traditions of your ancestors, consider how you can nurture your well-being. Embrace stillness and reflection through practices like Meditation to restore balance in your life.
Akasha is a space where individuals receive science-based, state-of-the-art, personalized, integrative care that transcends mere symptom treatment. We believe the body uses a language called symptoms to communicate with us. Our Job as emissaries of health is to listen to that language and help our patients understand what is asking of us.
“We meet our Patients Before We meet the Dis-eases”
Schedule a consultation today to explore how our integrative approaches can support you and your family’s health.
At Akasha, we aim to inspire people to live in alignment with themselves and the Earth because when we heal ourselves, we heal the world around us. By offering treatments that blend the best of modern medicine with the wisdom of Eastern and integrative Medicine approaches, we empower our patients to thrive in ways that honor their health, the health of the collective, and the environment. Akasha is a place for people to find balance, reconnect with themselves, and live more mindful lives in harmony with the planet. In this way, each step toward personal wellness becomes a step toward global wellness.
About the author:
Dr. Edison de Mello – the Founder and Chief Medical Officer of the Akasha Center in Santa Monica – is a Board-Certified Integrative Physician and licensed Psychotherapist. He’s treated patients from across the spectrum using his signature. East-meets-west approach. He writes for various publications and is a frequent guest on integrative medicine podcasts. He believes physicians should always Meet their patients before Meeting their Dis-EASE, a belief that he puts into practice every day. His latest book, BLOATED: How to Eat Without Pain, is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and the Akasha Center.
