Macrobiotics as a Path to Healing
The Origins of Macrobiotics
Macrobiotics was founded by George Ohsawa, who was diagnosed with tuberculosis at 19 in Japan in 1912. After losing his mother and brother to the disease, he turned to traditional Japanese knowledge of food and health. By adopting a balanced, plant-based wholefood diet, he successfully cured himself.
Ohsawa expanded on these principles, integrating traditional Oriental medicine with diet and lifestyle changes to support healing. He later named this approach "macrobiotics" (macro = big, biotics = life) and introduced it to Europe and the U.S.
(macro = big, biotics = life)
Healing Through Macrobiotics
The Fundamental Building
Blocks of Health
Students of Ohsawa continued to develop his approach to promoting health. These modern principles of macrobiotics, combined with traditional Oriental medicine, champion the importance of food, exercise, a balanced lifestyle, and healthy emotional expression and development as the fundamental building blocks of health.
For over 50 years, thousands have regained their health through macrobiotics, and there’s a growing body of knowledge that continues to show its effectiveness in healing and disease prevention.
Western Medicine Is Catching Up
Understanding the Root Causes of Disease
While Western medicine has been invaluable in relieving many health issues, and has saved countless lives, its approach to illness has been primarily to try to change the unhealthy condition of the body, without trying to understand the lifestyle factors that have caused these illnesses.
Now, however, Western medicine is beginning to prove much of the traditional understanding of how eating unhealthy foods, lack of exercise, poor sleep, too much stress, and emotional traumas are the prime causes of most illnesses.
The Limits of Conventional Treatment
In recognising the depth to which our food and way of living can contribute to health issues, Western medicine still has some catching up to do.
Thankfully, research continues to demonstrate that diet, lifestyle and emotional wellbeing are prime causes of many of the most common diseases, including:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure and cholesterol
- Heart problems
- Dementia
A Holistic Approach to Healing
Modern Western medicine and traditional approaches – including changes to diet, exercise, and emotional healing – are not mutually exclusive. Many people, especially those faced with serious or life-threatening illnesses, successfully use a combination of both approaches to achieve the best healing results.
Embracing Plant-Based Nutrition
Modern dietary recommendations
Modern medicine now recommends a plant-based wholefood diet as the most healthy way to eat. The UK National Health Service has created an Eatwell Guide, which is made up of at least 85% plant foods.
This guide suggests we eat a little over one-third grains and grain products like pasta and noodles; more than one-third vegetables and fruits; about one-sixth beans and pulses, fish and possibly small amounts of meat; and a small amount of either dairy or plant alternatives like plant milks, and some plant oils for cooking.
The World Health Organisation, the British Heart Foundation, the American Heart Foundation and many other professional bodies make very similar recommendations to support good health.
Avoid Refined Sugar and Processed Foods
What all of these organisations strongly agree on, is the removal of refined sugar and highly processed foods from our diets. This includes ultra-processed foods that contain lots of unnatural man-made ingredients, such as energy drinks, sweetened breakfast cereals, chocolate and sweets, and many cakes and snack bars.
These modern recommendations come close to what macrobiotics have been advising for the past 70 years; a return to eating more seasonal whole plant foods; mostly home-cooked for maximum flavour and health benefits.
It also includes eating seeds and nuts for their rich nutrient content, small amounts of sea vegetables, which are very high in minerals, and fermented vegetables to create a healthy gut biome.
This makes a plant-based diet rich in all the nutrients we need for a life of good health.
The Macrobiotic Approach to Healing
Healing Through Diet and Lifestyle
Eating the plant-based whole-food diet described above, getting regular exercise, and looking after our emotional health will heal many common health problems.
This works by supporting our health so the body naturally wants to heal itself, rather than attacking the symptoms.
The Road to Long-Term Wellbeing
Macrobiotics uses Oriental medicine to identify and correct imbalances that lead to illness. This includes personalised food choices, recipes, teas, exercises, lifestyle adjustments, and emotional healing to support long-term wellbeing.
Taking Control of Your Health
One of the greatest benefits of this approach is that it gives you the agency to take charge of your own healing. By learning new cooking techniques, prioritising daily movement, and making space for self-care, you can experience lasting health improvements – more energy, less anxiety, and a greater sense of happiness and fulfilment.
Investing In Your Wellbeing
While adopting this lifestyle requires time, effort, and a little investment, the rewards are immeasurable. For mild health issues, a book or basic course can provide all the guidance you need to begin the healing process. For chronic or serious conditions, working with a certified macrobiotic health consultant is recommended for personalised, ongoing support.
Supporting Your Wellbeing
What Kind of Illnesses Can Be Relieved or Healed with a Macrobiotic Approach?
As Western medicine is now proving, our diet, lifestyle, and emotional and mental state, all have enormous effects on our health – and, in many cases, the primary cause of illnesses. Therefore, making positive changes in these aspects of our lives will have a positive effect.
Here are just some of the health problems that a macrobiotic approach is often successful in helping:
Sleep and energy problems
Digestive problems
Menstrual problems
Male problems
Lung and skin problems
Heart and circulatory problems
Hormonal problems
Baby’s and children’s health problems
Muscular problems
Eye and ear problems
Bone and joint illnesses
Bladder problems
Weight problems
Serious or life-threatening diseases
Emotional and mental problems
Healing Through Macrobiotics
How Can I Find Out More?
We recommend exploring our courses, from beginner classes to professional training. You can also book a health consultation with school principal Oliver Cowmeadow or access free resources on our YouTube channel.
Our Courses
The International Macrobiotics School offers the most effective way to gain deeper, hands-on knowledge of macrobiotics.
Book A Consultation
We would also recommend booking a personal health consultation with Oliver Cowmeadow or another certified macrobiotic health consultant.
YouTube Videos
You’ll find plenty of useful information by watching our collection of YouTube videos on healing specific illnesses.
Updating page...