Holistic and alternative therapies
The basics, in one easy read
Short, plain answers on the 50 holistic and alternative therapies people ask us about most. Tap any one for the basics, then follow the link when you want the research and the full story.
Our full articles share why people choose each therapy, what the research shows, and what to know before you start. No doses or protocols, on purpose.
Cancer support options
Options people research alongside their oncology care. Our Cancer Support guide brings together the checklists and every cancer article.
High-dose IV vitamin C
Why people choose it. At very high IV doses, vitamin C behaves differently: research at the National Institutes of Health found it makes hydrogen peroxide that damages cancer cells in lab studies while sparing healthy cells.
Know first. It must be given by a qualified provider. It isn’t safe with G6PD deficiency, and it needs caution with kidney disease, kidney stones, or iron overload.
Read the full guide →Mistletoe therapy
Why people choose it. Used for decades in Europe, especially Germany and Switzerland, to support quality of life during treatment, and studied in a Johns Hopkins trial.
Know first. It’s given by integrative MDs and naturopaths, usually as injections under the skin. It isn’t FDA approved for cancer.
Read the full guide →Fasting and fasting-mimicking diets
Why people choose it. Fasting shifts the body into a protective, repair-focused state. Dr. Valter Longo’s research found healthy cells grow more resilient during fasting, while cancer cells don’t adapt the same way.
Know first. Keeping your strength matters, so it’s riskier if you’re underweight or losing weight. Do it with a practitioner experienced in fasting and cancer.
Read the full section →Ketogenic diets
Why people choose it. Many cancer cells depend heavily on sugar. Keto lowers blood sugar and insulin and shifts the body to ketones, which many cancer cells use less efficiently.
Know first. It can interact with diabetes medicines, and eating enough to keep your strength matters. A knowledgeable practitioner helps.
Read the full section →Diets matched to cancer fuels
Why people choose it. Dr. Eric Berg’s free guide matches five eating styles to the fuels different cancers lean on: sugar, glutamine, fats, ketones, or certain amino acids.
Know first. Matching a diet to a cancer’s fuel is still an experimental idea. The foods all five plans share are a gentle place to start; bring the rest to your oncology dietitian.
Read the full guide →Ivermectin
Why people choose it. An inexpensive drug with a long safety record, first developed against parasites, with a large body of lab research on the pathways cancer cells use to grow and spread.
Know first. It’s a prescription drug in the U.S. Higher doses can cause neurological side effects, and it interacts with some medicines, so work with a prescribing physician.
Read the full guide →Fenbendazole
Why people choose it. Supporters see it as a low-cost, repurposed option, much like ivermectin.
Know first. It’s a veterinary product, not approved for people, so quality isn’t standardized. Raised liver enzymes have been reported, so liver monitoring matters.
Read the full guide →Frequency therapyAt MK
Why people choose it. A devoted community values it as a gentle, non-invasive way to support the body, an idea that goes back to Royal Raymond Rife’s work in the 1930s.
Know first. It’s non-invasive and generally gentle. Many people use it as one part of a broader plan, with monitoring to see how they respond.
Try it at MK: PEMF and BioCharger
Read the full guide →EBOO
Why people choose it. A more advanced form of ozone therapy at integrative clinics: blood is drawn, exposed to oxygen and ozone through a filter, and returned, to support oxygenation and immune function.
Know first. It’s invasive, so only a licensed physician experienced with it should do it. It carries risks of infection, bleeding, and clotting.
Read the full guide →Oxygen, ozone, and detox
Therapies people use to support oxygenation, fight germs, and lighten the body’s toxic load.
Ozone therapyAt MK
Why people choose it. Ozone is a reactive form of oxygen used to support oxygenation and the immune system, and physicians across Europe use it widely.
Know first. Never inhale ozone; it harms the lungs. Forms given into the blood should be done by trained physicians.
Try it at MK: HOCATT ozone sauna
Read the full guide →Chlorine dioxide
Why people choose it. Advocates describe it as a selective oxidizer that targets germs while sparing the body’s own cells, and users share many personal accounts of improvement.
Know first. The FDA has warned against drinking it, citing severe vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and low blood pressure. Never give it to children.
Read the full guide →Hydrogen peroxide
Why people choose it. Your immune cells and airways make hydrogen peroxide to fight germs, and respected functional doctors, including Dr. Thomas Levy, Dr. Joseph Mercola, and Dr. David Brownstein, use nebulized peroxide when a virus hits.
Know first. Strength matters, and doctors differ, so work with a practitioner who uses it, especially with asthma. Never drink “food-grade” peroxide or put peroxide in a CPAP.
Read the full guide →Colloidal silver
Why people choose it. Silver kills germs on contact, hospitals rely on it, and holistic practitioners use colloidal silver as a nasal spray or in a nebulizer for respiratory infections.
Know first. Long-term use can cause argyria, a permanent blue-gray skin color, and silver can block some antibiotics and thyroid medicine. Nebulizing calls for a practitioner’s guidance.
Read the full guide →DMSO
Why people choose it. One of the longest-studied holistic therapies, with an FDA-approved prescription form for a bladder condition. Users report relief from joint and muscle pain.
Know first. It carries substances through the skin, so use only pure, pharmaceutical-grade DMSO on clean skin. It can increase the effects of some medicines.
Read the full guide →EDTA chelation
Why people choose it. Used to lower the body’s burden of heavy metals like lead and cadmium, which are linked to inflammation and heart disease.
Know first. It must be given by a trained physician: the wrong form or dose can dangerously lower calcium, and it can remove minerals you need.
Read the full guide →Coffee enemas
Why people choose it. Used to stimulate the liver and gallbladder to release bile and support detox. Many people say they feel lighter and clearer afterward.
Know first. Always cool the coffee to body temperature. Skip them with bowel disease, heart conditions, or pregnancy, and learn from an experienced practitioner.
Read the full guide →Castor oil packs
Why people choose it. A restful evening ritual to support digestion, the liver, and lymph flow. Castor oil’s main compound has anti-inflammatory properties.
Know first. Very low risk for most people. Do a skin test first, skip broken skin, and avoid them during pregnancy.
Read the full guide →Parasite cleanses
Why people choose it. Functional practitioners like Ann Louise Gittleman and Dr. Amy Myers believe parasites are common and overlooked, adding to digestive issues, fatigue, skin problems, and cravings.
Know first. A stool test can show what’s actually there. Wormwood isn’t safe in high amounts or during pregnancy, and cleanses aren’t for children without guidance.
Read the full guide →Methylene blueAt MK
Why people choose it. One of the oldest drugs in medicine, now popular for mitochondrial energy, especially paired with red light.
Know first. It can cause serotonin syndrome with antidepressants and some other medicines, and it isn’t safe with G6PD deficiency. Use only pharmaceutical grade.
Try it at MK: Red light therapy
Read the full guide →Supplements, foods, and prescriptions
Foods, supplements, and prescriptions holistic practitioners often recommend. Bring every bottle to your provider or pharmacist to check for interactions.
Low-dose naltrexone (LDN)
Why people choose it. At low doses, it prompts the body to make more of its own endorphins and calms overactive immune cells. Many people with autoimmune conditions call it life-changing.
Know first. It needs a prescription. Vivid dreams are common at first, and it can’t be combined with opioid pain medicines.
Read the full guide →NAD+
Why people choose it. NAD+ sits at the center of cellular energy and repair. Many people report more energy and mental clarity, and it’s a cornerstone of longevity programs.
Know first. IV NAD+ can cause chest tightness, nausea, or flushing if it’s given too fast, so an experienced provider matters. Supplements are generally well tolerated. Dr. Tina Hills, D.O., our referring partner, offers NAD+ IVs through her practice, PHMX, and now sees clients under our roof.
Read the full guide →Spike protein detox
Why people choose it. Functional doctors like Dr. Peter McCullough use nattokinase, bromelain, and curcumin to help the body clear lingering spike protein after COVID-19 or vaccination.
Know first. All three thin the blood, so check with your doctor if you take a blood thinner or have surgery coming up. Curcumin can affect thyroid and estrogen medicines.
Read the full guide →Peptides
Why people choose it. Short chains of amino acids that signal the body, from an FDA-approved libido treatment to newer compounds for repair and longevity.
Know first. The evidence varies widely from one peptide to the next. We don’t sell peptides; for a medical evaluation, we refer to EllieMD, a telehealth platform with licensed physicians.
Read the full guide →Raw milk
Why people choose it. Valued for its natural enzymes, beneficial bacteria, and nutrients in their original form, and many people digest it more easily.
Know first. It can carry harmful bacteria, and bird flu has been found in raw milk from infected U.S. herds. The risk is highest in pregnancy, for young children and older adults, and for anyone with a weakened immune system.
Read the full section →Organ meats
Why people choose it. Some of the most nutrient-dense foods on earth, prized by traditional cultures. Capsules are an option if you don’t like the taste.
Know first. Liver is very high in vitamin A, so a little goes a long way, especially during pregnancy. Choose grass-fed, pasture-raised sources.
Read the full section →Colostrum
Why people choose it. Used for gut health, immune support, athletic recovery, and skin.
Know first. It’s a dairy product, so skip it with a milk allergy. Choose grass-fed, tested sources.
Read the full section →Sea moss
Why people choose it. Used for minerals, including iodine, and for thyroid, skin, and gut support.
Know first. Its iodine varies a lot from batch to batch, and too much can upset the thyroid. Choose tested products, and check with your provider if you have a thyroid condition.
Read the full section →Black seed oil
Why people choose it. Used for immune support, inflammation, allergies, blood sugar, skin, and hair.
Know first. It can lower blood sugar and blood pressure and may affect clotting, so check with your provider if you take medicines for these.
Read the full section →Medicinal mushrooms
Why people choose it. Lion’s mane for focus, reishi for calm and sleep, cordyceps for energy, and turkey tail for immune support.
Know first. Quality varies widely; look for fruiting-body extracts with tested beta-glucans. Chaga is high in oxalates, and reishi may affect clotting.
Read the full section →Adaptogens
Why people choose it. Herbs like ashwagandha, used for stress, energy, sleep, focus, and hormone balance.
Know first. Ashwagandha can affect thyroid levels, has rare reports of liver injury, and isn’t recommended in pregnancy. Check with your provider if you take medicines or have an autoimmune condition.
Read the full section →Iodine
Why people choose it. Functional doctors like Dr. David Brownstein believe most people are low, and Americans’ iodine levels fell by more than half in about 20 years. They use iodine for thyroid and breast health.
Know first. Too much iodine can also cause thyroid problems, especially with Hashimoto’s. Test first, and work with an experienced practitioner.
Read the full guide →Humic and fulvic minerals
Why people choose it. Liquid minerals from ancient plant matter, used as a mineral foundation instead of a shelf of single supplements. Humic acids increased gut bacteria by about 30% in healthy volunteers.
Know first. Start small and build up to avoid a rare detox reaction. Check with your provider if you’re pregnant, take medication, or have kidney disease.
Read the full guide →Manuka honey
Why people choose it. Its compound MGO gives it antibacterial activity regular honey lacks. An MGO or UMF rating tells you it’s the real thing.
Know first. Never give honey to a baby under 12 months. It’s still sugar, and it isn’t a replacement for antibiotics when you need them.
Read the full guide →Hypochlorous acid (HOCl)
Why people choose it. The same molecule your white blood cells make to fight infection, now in gentle sprays for skin, eyelids, and wounds.
Know first. It’s for skin, eyes, wounds, and surfaces, not for drinking. It isn’t bleach, and it isn’t chlorine dioxide.
Read the full guide →Body, mind, and energy practices
Simple practices, many of them free, that people use to calm the nervous system and care for the body.
Oil pulling
Why people choose it. Swishing oil for fresher breath and healthier gums, as a gentle morning ritual for the mouth’s microbiome.
Know first. Spit it in the trash, not the sink. It adds to brushing and flossing; it doesn’t replace them.
Read the full section →Dry brushingAt MK
Why people choose it. For smoother skin, a circulation boost, and lymph flow. A quick, energizing morning habit.
Know first. Use gentle pressure, and skip broken or irritated skin and eczema or psoriasis flares.
Try it at MK: Lymphatic roller
Read the full section →Cupping and gua sha
Why people choose it. For muscle tension, pain, and recovery, and facial gua sha for a lifted, de-puffed look.
Know first. Temporary marks are normal. Ask your provider first if you take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder.
Read the full section →Acupuncture
Why people choose it. For chronic pain, headaches, nausea, stress, sleep, and fertility support.
Know first. See a licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.). Single-use sterile needles are standard.
Read the full section →Sound healingAt MK
Why people choose it. To calm the mind, release tension, sleep better, and shift the nervous system out of fight-or-flight.
Know first. It’s gentle and relaxing for most people.
Try it at MK: Sound Lounge
Read the full section →Reiki and energy work
Why people choose it. For deep calm, stress relief, and comfort during hard times. Many hospitals and cancer centers offer Reiki.
Know first. It’s gentle and non-invasive. Look for a trained, certified practitioner.
Read the full section →Breathwork and the Wim Hof Method
Why people choose it. For energy, stress resilience, focus, and a stronger sense of control over the body.
Know first. Never practice breath holds in or near water, or while driving. Ask your provider first if you’re pregnant or have heart problems, epilepsy, or high blood pressure.
Read the full section →Vagus nerve stimulation
Why people choose it. For stress, anxiety, sleep, digestion, and resilience. Slow exhales, humming, and cold water on the face all engage it.
Know first. Talk with your provider before using a device if you have a heart condition or an implanted device.
Read the full section →Grounding (earthing)
Why people choose it. Connecting with the earth’s natural charge, thought to help calm inflammation and the nervous system. It’s free and simple.
Know first. Very low risk outdoors. With indoor products, follow the maker’s instructions.
Read the full guide →Reducing EMF exposure
Why people choose it. For better sleep, less overstimulation, and peace of mind, especially for children.
Know first. Easy steps: phones out of the bedroom or on airplane mode at night, speakerphone or wired earbuds, and Wi-Fi off at night.
Read the full section →Essential oils
Why people choose it. Lavender for calm, peppermint for headaches and focus, eucalyptus for breathing, and a natural swap for synthetic fragrance.
Know first. Always dilute them on skin, and don’t swallow them unless a qualified practitioner directs it. Some aren’t safe for babies, in pregnancy, or around cats.
Read the full section →Hormones, heart, dental, and regenerative care
Bigger medical decisions where holistic and conventional views differ, laid out side by side.
Bioidentical hormones
Why people choose it. For hot flashes, sleep, mood, and bone protection, using hormones molecularly identical to the body’s own.
Know first. Choose a PCAB-accredited compounding pharmacy (compounded hormones aren’t FDA-approved), women with a uterus who take estrogen need progesterone, and pellets can’t be removed once placed.
Read the full guide →Statins and cholesterol
Why people choose it. Your body needs cholesterol for every cell, your hormones, and vitamin D, and a single cholesterol number doesn’t tell the whole story.
Know first. Functional doctors see heart disease as a terrain problem and question statins. Better tests show your real risk, and anyone on a statin shouldn’t stop it without their doctor.
Read the full guide →Root canals
Why people choose it. Holistic and biological dentists are concerned that root-canal-treated teeth can harbor hidden infection that affects the whole body.
Know first. If you have any health condition, we recommend a comprehensive biological dental exam, including a 3D cone beam CT scan.
Read the full guide →Implants and dental materials
Why people choose it. Concerns about breast implants, mercury fillings, and titanium dental implants began in holistic circles, and some are now recognized: the FDA added a boxed warning for breast implants and updated its advice on mercury fillings.
Know first. Considering removal? See a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in explant, or a dentist trained in safe mercury removal, like the IAOMT’s SMART protocol.
Read the full guide →Stem cells and exosomes
Why people choose it. People explore regenerative therapy for joints, chronic pain, and tissue repair, and to avoid surgery.
Know first. We refer our clients to Dr. Tina Hills, D.O., our referring partner, and her practice, PHMX. She now sees clients under our roof a few days a week.
Read the full guide →Where to go next
- Every holistic and alternative article, in one guide
- The Cancer Support guide, with free step-by-step checklists
- The experts we learn from, and where we cover their work
- The Natural Health Network directory, to find a holistic practitioner near you
For education only, not medical advice. MK Wellness offers wellness services; we don't diagnose or treat any condition, and most therapies on this page are provided by physicians and other licensed practitioners, not at MK. Talk with a qualified provider before trying any therapy or changing any medication.