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Discover the power of natural, whole-person approaches to health with Dr. Brenda Chau’s expert insight on the body-mind connection.
Holistic healing is an approach to health that looks at the whole person, body and mind together, instead of treating one symptom or one organ on its own. In this short video, Dr. Brenda Chau, who works in Toronto with a functional medicine approach, explains why that matters for mental health: problems in the body, including the gut, can affect how you feel, and the link runs in both directions.
Key takeaways
- Physical problems, including gut problems, can contribute to depression, anxiety and stress.
- The connection is two-way. In Dr. Chau's words, "it's also both ways. We have a feedback."
- Because the mind and body are so closely linked, a physical condition can lead to a mental health problem.
- That is why she takes a holistic approach, guided by one idea: "Nature is medicine."
What Dr. Brenda Chau says
Dr. Chau starts with the gut. Gut problems, she says, can lead to "depression, or lead to anxiety or stress." Then she adds the part people often miss: the influence doesn't only travel from body to mind. "It's also both ways. We have a feedback."
She describes the mind as connecting with the body "in a very deep way." So when someone has a physical condition, it can show up as a mental health problem too. That is the reason she gives for working holistically. Instead of treating the body and the mind as separate cases, she looks for a way forward that accounts for both.
Her closing line sums up her philosophy: "Nature is medicine, and we try to give that to the patients." The clip is short and doesn't name specific treatments, so take it as a way of thinking about health rather than a step-by-step plan.
What exactly is holistic healing?
Holistic healing isn't a single therapy. It's a way of looking at health. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health uses the term "whole person health" for helping people improve and restore their health across connected areas: biological, behavioral, social and environmental, rather than just treating disease. It describes integrative health as bringing conventional care, like medication and psychotherapy, together with complementary approaches, like yoga, in a coordinated way (NCCIH).
The gut piece of Dr. Chau's message has scientific support too. A major review describes a "microbiota-gut-brain axis," in which gut microbes and the brain communicate with each other through routes like the immune system and the vagus nerve. The same review notes that stress can affect this system at every stage of life (Cryan et al., Physiological Reviews).
Does holistic healing really work?
It depends on what you mean. Caring for the whole person, including sleep, food, movement and stress, makes sense alongside medical care. Individual "natural" remedies are a different story: how much evidence backs them varies a lot.
Think of holistic care as a complement to professional care, not a replacement. If you're dealing with depression or anxiety, talk with a doctor or therapist before changing or stopping any treatment. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (US).
Simple ways to start
You can try Dr. Chau's "nature is medicine" idea today: a walk in a park or a few plants where you work. Our guide on how to bring more nature into your routine has easy ideas. And since she points to the gut, nutritionist Andie Kalifer's video Nourish to Thrive: Whole Foods for Gut & Mind covers which foods support a healthy gut.
Video transcript
Transcript (lightly edited for reading):
Actually, not only can gut problems lead to depression, or lead to anxiety or stress, but it's also both ways. We have a feedback. The mind connects with the body in a very deep way. So when we have a physical condition, it can lead to a mental health problem. And for that, we give a holistic approach and find a way. Nature is medicine, and we try to give that to the patients.
Common questions
What are the 7 natural healing ways?
There's no official list of seven. Lists online usually include good sleep, nourishing food, movement, time in nature, stress management, rest and connection with others. They support well-being but don't replace medical or mental health care.
What are some examples of holistic healing?
Examples include pairing therapy with regular exercise, noticing how food affects your mood, practicing mindfulness or yoga, and spending time outdoors. The common thread is caring for body and mind together.
How does physical health affect mental health?
Physical health problems can add stress and disrupt sleep, which can raise the risk of anxiety or depression. As Dr. Chau explains, it works the other way too. A doctor can help you look at both.
About the expert: Dr. Brenda Chau earned her medical degree in Peru and works in Toronto at Vivagen Life Sciences, where she uses a functional medicine approach.
