The Holistic Option: MySpace meets WebMD for the holistically-minded

Posted by Colette Cope October 17, 2008 09:44AM


I recently learned about a great new resource on the Web called The Holistic Option. This site is like WebMD but covers holistic, alternative and integrative medicine.

An abundance of free information is available on this site. You can start by learning more about alternative treatments that you may be curious about like acupuncture, aromatherapy, biofeedback and more. The content is provided in collaboration with professional associations, licensed practitioners and experts in the field of holistic medicine.

You can also search for natural remedies for medical conditions. Simply select the condition you are interested in, and you will be given a list of natural herbal and nutritional supplements suggestions, as well as preventative tips.

It's been my experience, especially in the midstate, that holistic practitioner are hard to find. So the "find a practitioner" tool is very useful. Simply choose the modality that you want and enter your location. Every practitioner listed on the site must submit an application that is screened by the site's advisory board.

If you are actually hoping to become practitioner yourself, there is also a directory where you can find schools near you.

My favorite parts of the site, though, are the podcast and featured articles, videos and blogs. There is a wealth of information here ranging from pumpkin seeds' nutritional value to hormones in our milk to whether or not you should give your child a flu shot.

If you like the sense of community on social networking sites, you can also become a member for free, create a profile and discuss holistic remedies on the forums. You also have the opportunity to write about your personal experience with any of the natural remedies that are recommended.

The site currently has 50 practitioners in their director, recognition from 18 professional associations, new advisory board members being added each month and 65+ new subscribers to the podcast daily. They've accomplished all of this since their launch in April 2008. Clearly it's a growing community that I look forward to being a part of.