But when I think of holistic health, I think of a natural approach to healing the entire person (as opposed to individual symptoms). This is almost the exact opposite of what you encounter in modern medicine. That’s why I was surprised when I came across a holistic healing tool that is actually used in hospitals across the country. It’s holistic because it’s natural and it attempts to help rid the entire body of toxins. However, when it’s used in traditional medicine, it is only used for one purpose: to rid the body of one specific toxin in the case of an overdose or accidental poisoning.

The remedy I’m talking about is called activated charcoal. You may have heard of it being used in water filters. That’s because it does such a great job of binding to toxins and removing them from the water supply. It sort of does the same thing in the body. When you ingest activated charcoal (according to your doctor’s instructions or package instructions), like anything you ingest, it ends up in your intestines. Here is where it works all of its magic. It binds to any toxins or heavy metals that are floating around in there, so it basically cleans out your system.

There are some risks to taking activated charcoal by mouth. Some people have trouble passing the charcoal and it causes a blockage in the intestines, a situation that might call for medical intervention. So, like any holistic remedy, it’s a good idea to take it under the supervision of a doctor or holistic health practitioner.

Unless you know how your body will react, it’s not a good idea to take activated charcoal during travel or other situations where you aren’t able to reach your doctor.

This type of healing goes back to the father of medicine, Hippocrates. He is famous for saying “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” We’ve gotten so far away from this that clean eating is something that’s completely foreign to the average person. Try telling a group of people that you just met that you eat only vegetables and plant-based foods. That look they’ll give you? That’s disbelief.  I know because I get it all the time. People are so reliant on their way of live that they just can’t believe that people can get by without eating manufactured foods.

Before I tried this little exercise for myself, I would have thought the look would be more of pity or concern, but no, it’s disbelief. The only thing that’ll get them to believe me is if I tell them I eat beans all the time.  It’s a lie; I don’t eat a lot of beans, but to them, it’s more believable than me living on veggies and fruits.

I try to fill my diet with as many fresh vegetables as I can because I know that’s the cleanest and healthiest way to live. Why? Because vegetables are alkaline and they help keep our bodies in balance. And keeping your body in balance is a great way to avoid unnecessary and expensive trips to the pharmacy tech who fills your prescriptions.

The truth is, not all aromatherapy oils smell amazing. There are some that are just so-so and others that border on stinky. But in my opinion, aromatherapy is an easy and effective way to get your body back into balance. Anything that works without me having to swallow a pill is A-Okay in my book.

Here are a couple of ways you can use aromatherapy in your everyday life:

1. Add some drops to your bath water. Not only will you get the effects of the aroma wafting up from the warm water, but it will also permeate your skin, which may have other benefits (depending on the oil you use). If you want to relax, use a soothing scent like lavender. If you want to feel energized, try a citrus scent like grapefruit. Or, if you’re feeling under the weather, you can use eucalyptus and/or peppermint to help clear your nasal passages and get you feeling better in no time. My police officer friend taught me this one, believe it or not. She draws herself a lavender-infused bath whenever she gets home from working the overnight shift.
2. Add a few drops of your chosen essential oil to jojoba, almond or coconut oil and use it for massage. Of course, it’s great if you have someone to do the massaging for you, but you can also use this mixture yourself on your temples or feet after a long day. The oils can be used to relax and invigorate your senses.
3. Make your own natural household items, like fabric refresher or all-purpose cleaner, and drop in a few drops of essential oils. This way, as you clean your home, you’re getting the benefit of aromatherapy – much better than inhaling harsh chemicals, if you ask me.

Then, it hit me. Essential oils are a part of my everyday life, but a lot of people probably don’t even own one vial. If that describes you, let me entice you to bring some lavender into your life. Most people do find the aroma pleasing, and even soothing. But there are a few people who just don’t like the scent. If you’re one of them, don’t let me entice you to bring lavender into your life. Stick to your guns, and find another essential oil to bring into your home.

Lavender is one of the most (if not, the most) popular essential oils. Not only does it smell great (in my opinion), but it is also believed to be relaxing when used as aromatherapy, and antibacterial and antifungal when used in household cleaning. But in order to get any of the therapeutic benefits of lavender, you must use products that are actually made of pure lavender, not chemically-derived products that were made to smell like lavender.

Here are a few things you can do with this essential oil:

1. Add a few drops to water in a candle diffuser (as I’m doing today). When I was working as an administrative assistant at a musty office, I used to use this method to infuse the air with a more pleasant smell.
2. Add about 10 drops to about 3-4 cups of water and 1 tbsp. of baking soda in a spray bottle. Shake it up and use it as a fabric refresher. Since lavender is soothing and relaxing, this scent works especially well in the bedroom. Try spraying some on your pillow or comforter.
3. Place two cups of baking soda into a Ziploc bag. Add about 2 to 3 drops of lavender essential oil, close the bag and shake it up. Then, sprinkle the baking soda onto your carpet and vacuum it up. If you’re not a fan of carpet sprinkles (they can sometimes get messy in the vacuum), you can always just spray down the carpet with the fabric refresher above.

Triphala is often regarded as a laxative, but it is so much more than that. Yes, it does have laxative properties (and taking triphala will probably cure your constipation), but this herb is also a powerful detoxifier, which essentially means that it helps clean out your blood. As your blood is cleaned, your internal organs are able to be nourished better than ever before (blood carries nutrients and oxygen to your organs), so you may notice a wide variety of conditions clearing up after taking triphala for a few weeks. If you’re interested in Ayurveda, you should familiarize yourself with triphala. It would not be uncommon for an ayurvedic doctor or nurse to prescribe this herb.

What is triphala, exactly?

Triphala is made up of three fruits. In Ayurvedic medicine, practitioners believe that these three fruits address the three doshas: Vata, which corresponds to the mind and nervous system; Pita, which is responsible for digestion, assimilation of nutrients and mental clarity; and Kapha, which is responsible for building muscle and bone tissue.

The three fruits that make up triphala are harada, amla and bihara. Harada is bitter and is meant to treat vata imbalances. It has laxative, astringent and lubricating properties. Amla is sour and it is meant to treat pitta imbalances. It is cooling, astringent and also has a mild laxative properties. Amla is also a great source of vitamin C, with 20 times the vitamin C content of an orange.

Bihara is the third fruit that makes up triphala. It has an astringent flavor with a sweet and bitter aftertaste. Bihara is added into the mix to counter any kapha imbalances you may have. This fruit purifies and balances excess mucus, bronchiole conditions and treats asthma, hiccoughs and allergies.

As you may already know, we all have some pitta, but what we’re talking about here are those people who are dominant pittas. Pitta is associated with the element of fire. The people are muscular, determined and smart. When they are in balance, they are warm, caring and great leaders. When they are out of balance, they can be irritable, aggressive and downright difficult to be around. We’re just going to assume Dr. Oz is in balance, because he seems to be a nice guy.

Pittas are also known for being very precise and organized. I would imagine that many people with accounting careers are predominantly pitta. Pittas aren’t the type to speak just to hear the sound of their own voice. They aren’t necessarily quiet, but they speak to convey a point. They are also very passionate and courageous, and they have amazing appetites.

Since pitta energy tends to be sour, pungent and sharp, you need to balance it out with things that are cool and sweet. If you are a pitta, you should never skip meals, and you should also spend as much time as possible outdoors. Eat foods that are cooling, like cucumbers and sweet melons. If you’re into aromatherapy, use oils that are sweet and cooling, such as jasmine, mint and lavender.

If you’re still not sure what dosha is your doiminant one, head over to the Chopra Center’s website and take their quiz. Interestingly enough, as much as I thought I was a Kapha, the quiz pegged me as Tridosha (which is an equal combination of the three).

Today, we’re talking about Vata dosha. Vatas are known to be extremely comfortable with change, but they can be cold and irregular. Vatas are usually very thin people with small frames. They are known for being very agile and having energy bursts. So, although they are energetic overall, there are ebbs and flows. You might find a Vata sitting down to relax after spending some time rushing around. When I think of Vata, I think of the paralegal at my last job. I believe she had an overabundance of Vata energy running through her body. She was spontaneous and extremely energetic, but she was also anxious and had serious digestive issues.

When they are imbalanced, Vatas are prone to dry skin, dry hair, cold hands and sensitive digestion. This can lead to weight loss, constipation, restlessness and weakness. To balance a Vata dosha, consider the following:

• Eliminate dry foods, such as crackers, and incorporate more moist and warming foods into your diet. Try rice or soup instead.
• Keep your skin moisturized and stay in warm and hydrated environments. If you’re in the midst of a cold winter, stay in a heated room with a humidifier running whenever possible.
• Try to stick to a daily routine. The more imbalanced you are, the more likely you are to want to be spontaneous and shun routine, but it is important to fight this urge. The more you submit to these desires, the stronger your Vata dosha becomes.

Kaphas have a strong build (think broad shoulders and wide hips) and they have excellent stamina. They usually don’t have digestion issues and they tend to sleep soundly. Kaphas have large soft eyes and radiant skin. They are naturally calm, thoughtful and loving. They enjoy life and are comfortable with routine. They are patient, steady and supportive. Kaphas are “stick with it” kind of people to a fault; they tend to stick with jobs and relationships long after their usefulness has expired.

Those with too much Kapha in their system (an imbalance) can come across as very stubborn. Kaphas don’t like to deal with stressful situations. In the face of stress, avoidance is their favorite tactic. Oh boy, am I a Kapha. I may as well tattoo it on my forehead.

If you fit the description above as well as I do (it’s actually scary how well I do), and you’re worried about keeping balanced, here are a few tips:

• Wake up with a glass of hot water, lemon juice and ginger instead of coffee.
• Although breakfast is believed to be the most important meal of the day, it’s not quite so important for a Kapha.
• Avoid deep fried foods and opt for vegetables instead.
• Whenever possible, eat warm foods instead of cold meals.
• Always keep your meals light. Overeating does not agree with Kaphas.
• Avoid dairy or at least keep your consumption to a minimum.
• Avoid using excess oil and salt in your diet. These things can aggravate a Kapha and throw her off balance.

Another reason I like Dr. Oz is that he is good at explaining things in a way that most people will understand. In Ayurvedic medicine, every single person belongs to one of three groups (called doshas), and if you’re not feeling well, it’s because you are experiencing an imbalance. But, before you can correct your imbalance, you must know what kind of dosha you are.

Kapha – Those who are primarily Kapha have a large frame, with large shoulders and hips, and have good stamina. When they are in balance, they are loyal, reliable and stable. But, when they are out of balance, they are prone to sinus congestion, poor circulation and slow digestion (or constipation).

Vata – Vatas are thin and have a small frame. Their bodies tend to run colder than other dosha types and they are known for having a lot of energy. Vatas are always on the move. When they are out of balance, they can have major digestive issues, which often causes fatigue. Vatas are also prone to dry skin, upper respiratory problems and insomnia.

Pitta – Pittas have a medium build, good muscle definition and sharp intellect. They like things to remain orderly, and they are sometimes known to be a little pushy and aggressive. When out of balance, pittas are prone to inflammation, headaches, rashes and diarrhea. If you’re trying to picture a Pitta in your head right now, just imagine Dr. Oz.

Reed diffuser – The reed diffuser has become very popular these days, but you don’t have to settle for the synthetic fragrances they usually sell in those premade packages. You just need to get a few supplies, and you’ll be well on your way to infusing your home with a lovely, natural scent. You’ll need a glass jar, a few reed diffusers, essential oils and a substance called dipropyline glycol (can be found at fragrance supply stores or on Etsy). To make the mixture, you’ll need 3 parts essential oils to 7 parts diproplyine glycol. Mix it together and you’re ready to assemble your reed diffuser.

Candle diffuser – A candle diffuser is a nice and easy way to energize your home with essential oils. You just need a few drops of your oil (or oils) of choice and water. The oils themselves are usually too strong to use without some sort of carrier.

Electric diffuser – This is kind of like those Glade plug-in scents that are so popular today – except this one is natural and potentially therapeutic. You can find these online or at a natural foods store. Just like with the candle diffuser, you just need to dilute the essential oils in a little water, and then plug the diffuser into an outlet.