The History of Western Holistic Health Development

This book traces the 2,500-year evolution of holistic health in Western thought, from Hippocrates' humoral balance and Empedocles' cosmic-body analogy, through Galen's "six non-naturals," Byzantine preservation, and medieval soul-centered healing, to modern biomedicine's rise and its recent reintegration. Key transitions include the Renaissance's anatomical turn, 19th-century cellular pathology, Nightingale's environmental care, and 20th-century biopsychosocial models. The narrative culminates in WHO's 1948 definition, the Ottawa Charter, and current integrative, planetary health frameworks—revealing a cyclical return to balance, interdisciplinary collaboration, and health as a shared societal responsibility.