How Did the Natural Become Taboo? A Deep Dive into Trust, Medicine & Misinformation

You’ve probably heard the term “woo” thrown around. Maybe when someone mentions seeing a naturopath, going for acupuncture, trying sound bowl healing, or booking a cord-cutting session. Maybe it was your partner. Your best friend. Your sister. Or maybe… it was you.

And just as quickly as it's brought up, it’s often met with a smirk, an eye-roll, or a comment like, “You really believe in that stuff?” Suddenly, anything outside of conventional medicine gets labelled as “woo,” crazy, unscientific, or a waste of money.

Don’t get me wrong, we do know certain things can harm us. But what about the things that don’t? What about the practices that soothe us, center us, or actually help, even if we can’t fully explain how?

What if the things we’ve dismissed as “woo” are just what our bodies have been asking for?

What if they’ve only been waiting for science to catch up?

What if the wisdom passed down through generations, cultures, and communities holds more truth than we’ve been taught to believe?

In a world obsessed with proof, we’ve forgotten that some of the most revolutionary ideas in history were once ridiculed… until they weren’t.

What If the World Isn’t As Settled As We Think?

Have you ever stopped and wondered:

why is that the way it is? 

Or

what if there’s more to this than we’re being told? 

When did we decide that one person’s credentials made them more trustworthy than someone with lived experience and credentials in a similar field? Who decided this would be the forever conclusion?

The world is always changing. Our air. Our soil. Our food. Our stress. New species appear while others vanish. What once helped us might harm us now. What once felt radical might become essential.

And yet, we cling to old conclusions, old studies, old systems. We point to what’s “evidence-based” as if the evidence can never shift. But it always has.

Why We Trust What We’re Told (And Dismiss What We Don’t Understand)

It’s not just cultural conditioning or lack of knowledge; there’s real psychology behind why we’re drawn to “proven” treatments and resistant to the unseen.

• Familiarity Feels Safe

  • We’re more likely to believe what we’ve seen others around us believe. If our parents, teachers, or doctors relied solely on medication and protocols, we often absorb that without question. Even if it doesn’t fully make sense, it’s familiar, and our brain clings to familiarity as a form of safety.

• Cognitive Dissonance

  • If we’ve spent years trusting in medicine, it’s hard to accept that some studies may have been flawed, biased, or incomplete. Admitting that can feel like admitting we were wrong, and the brain doesn’t like that discomfort. So we reject new ideas to avoid having to reevaluate our worldview.

• The Need for Proof

  • We live in a society that prioritizes logic and science over intuition and emotion. That’s not a bad thing, but it becomes limiting when we demand immediate, peer-reviewed proof for practices that are thousands of years old, rooted in oral tradition, or not easily quantifiable. If it can’t be measured in a lab, we tend to dismiss it… even if it helps someone feel better.

• We Trust What We Can See

  • Energy work, sound healing, Reiki, and herbal medicine are not as visual as a white coat, a prescription bottle, or a test result. And as humans, we crave the tangible. But just because we can’t see something doesn’t mean it’s not real. (Think: wind, love, gravity, electricity.)

• Fear of Being Judged

  • No one wants to be the “gullible” one, especially in a culture that mocks “woo” or ridicules what it doesn’t understand. Many people do believe in natural therapies, but stay quiet to avoid being seen as naive or unserious, especially when dealing with serious health issues.

If we take a moment to look at what the world, what other cultures, what other expertises have to offer, then maybe we can stop seeing the natural, the holistic, the energy work as taboo, and start including it into our daily lives to create balance and harmony for the body we live in, even if it creates a 'placebo' effect results... it's still positive results that that individual can attest is real.

So let’s take a look at the so-called “woo” that’s brought people real comfort, healing, and peace. Then we’ll look at the science that once seemed outrageous... until it changed the world. And finally, we’ll explore what’s still unfolding today.

Part I: When 'Woo' Becomes Truth – Holistic Wisdom the West Dismissed (Until It Didn't)

Let’s talk about things that were mocked, minimized, or labelled as alternative... until they weren’t.

• Acupuncture: Dismissed for decades in the West. Now it’s integrated into hospitals, fertility clinics, and pain therapy protocols. The NIH recognizes it as effective for several conditions.

• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) & Herbalism: Herbs like dong quai or vitex were once “witchy.” Now they’re the basis of pharmaceutical extractions and are recommended for cycle balancing and hormonal support.

• Reiki & Energy Work: Once called pseudoscience. Now incorporated into palliative and cancer care units to support emotional well-being.

• Massage Therapy: Previously seen asa luxury. Now widely acknowledged for its impact on pain management, hormone regulation, and prenatal/postpartum wellness.

• Aromatherapy: Lavender for calming. Peppermint for nausea. Science is catching up to what our grandmothers already knew.

• Sound Healing: Gaining traction as studies examine how vibration impacts the nervous system and vagal tone. Still under-researched, but deeply felt.

• Bone Broth: The ultimate “old wives' tale.” Now recommended for gut health, collagen production, and postpartum nourishment.

These practices don’t replace medicine. They complement it. They offer what pills and protocols can’t: connection, tradition, personalization, spirit.

Part II: When 'Woo' Becomes Truth – Big Science, Big Shifts

If you’ve ever scoffed at the idea of energy healing or plant medicine, consider this:

• Electricity was once invisible and laughable. We couldn’t see it. We couldn’t prove it. Until someone did.

• We thought the sun revolved around the Earth. Then came Copernicus, then Galileo. Truth shifted.

• Germ Theory: The idea of invisible bacteria making us sick? Considered madness. Until microscopes revealed the truth.

• Earth’s Magnetic Field: An unseen force that protects our planet. We didn’t understand it, but it was always there.

• Neuroplasticity: The brain could rewire itself? That was woo. Now it’s the basis of trauma therapy, stroke recovery, and learning science.

• Breathwork, Meditation & Mindfulness: Once considered hippie nonsense. Now backed by clinical research in stress reduction and nervous system regulation.

• Psychedelic Therapy: Illegal for decades. Now at the cutting edge of trauma and end-of-life anxiety research.

The lesson? Skepticism is healthy. But dismissal is lazy. Science is a method. A process. A question. Not a final answer.

Part III: What We're Still Learning – Studies in Progress

We’re in a time where science is starting to re-examine and revisit what was once dismissed:

• The Gut-Brain Axis: Once dismissed as fringe. Now, gut microbiome research is exploding, linking digestive health to mental wellbeing, immune function, and even fertility.

• Fascia Research: Previously ignored connective tissue, now being seen as a sensory organ, potentially playing roles in trauma, pain, and energy flow.

• Vagus Nerve Stimulation: From ancient breathwork to modern tech, activating the vagus nerve is becoming central to nervous system regulation and chronic illness management.

• Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku): Long practiced in Japan, now being studied for its measurable effects on cortisol, blood pressure, and mood.

• Epigenetics: The idea that trauma, nutrition, and emotion can change gene expression and pass it down generations. This was once dismissed. Now it’s shaking up medicine.

• Quantum Biology & Biofield Science: Still early, but researchers are studying how energy fields may affect biology, with implications for cancer treatment, chronic illness, and more.

We Want the Best for Our Babies… What About Ourselves?

Think about how we show up for our children:

We research. We ask questions. We buy organic. We avoid parabens and dyes. We trust nature to do what it does best. We lean into instinct.

But somewhere along the way, many of us were taught that our health — as adults — needs to follow a stricter, more medicalized path. That trusting our bodies or choosing natural options is “too risky” or “not enough.”

So when did nature stop being for us?

When did “doing what feels right” become irresponsible?

What if we deserve the same softness, curiosity, and care we give our kids?

So...Why Do We Resist Deviating from 'the Norm' So Hard?

Because it isn’t always measurable. Because we can’t see it. Because we trust some credentials over others, even when both hold deep expertise, simply because one fits into the system we’ve been taught to value.

But more than anything? Because control makes us feel safe, and if we don't trust that body of expertise, then the fear sets in. And the unknown feels like a threat.

Still, the most radical ideas in history began as questions.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we should throw out science or ignore evidence. But many areas of medicine and care are still full of unknowns. New questions. Untested variables. We don’t need to erase the work that’s been done… we need to build on it.

You Don’t Have to Pick a Side Western medicine is powerful. Eastern medicine is powerful. And the truth? You don’t need to choose between them. You get to use both. Either. Neither. Whatever supports your body, your journey, and your sense of peace.

Questions Worth Asking

I encourage you to:

Ask Yourself:

• Have I ever dismissed a form of care because I didn’t understand it?

• Do I trust everything my provider recommends without question, or do I ask for other options?

• When was the last time I listened to my gut… and was it right?

• How has my cultural or family upbringing shaped the way I view medicine or healing?

Ask Your Provider:

• What are the risks and benefits of this treatment, and are there complementary approaches?

• Have you worked with patients who’ve also explored [acupuncture / reiki / herbalism / bodywork]?

• Is there harm in me trying a natural or traditional method alongside this?

• Can we work together to monitor what’s working, even if it’s outside your scope?

Building Your Support Team

The following list includes natural/holistic health professionals who might help alongside traditional care. I've also created a list available on my site of some local businesses and owners that I support:

Complementary Care Professionals You Might Consider:

• Acupuncturist – great for hormone balance, stress, fertility, pain

• Naturopathic Doctor – personalized support through nutrition, supplements, and herbs

• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Practitioner – offers insight through thousands of years of study

• Clinical Herbalist – for safe, guided herbal support

• Reiki or Energy Healer – to support emotional release and nervous system regulation

• Massage Therapist – for physical tension, lymph flow, prenatal support

• Holistic Nutritionist – works with your body's rhythm, not just macros

• Sound or Breathwork Practitioner – may help with trauma, regulation, and calm

• Spiritual or Cultural Healers – support that aligns with your identity and lineage

• Birth / Fertility / Bereavement / Divorce / Gender / Postpartum Doula – we walk with you, not above you

And of course, you can always begin by working with someone who sees the full picture (hi, it’s me! 👋).

Calgary Support Team — Holistic & Integrative Options

I’m not affiliated with any of the following, just sharing some food-for-thought resources in the Calgary area that may support your overall well-being.

Complementary Care & Holistic Wellness Practitioners

• Holistic Institute of Health and Fertility – Holistic fertility, prenatal/postnatal, and wellness support integrating natural approaches with individualized care.

• Integrative Health Centre – Naturopathic and Traditional Chinese Medicine clinic offering acupuncture, herbal support, hormone balance, and lifestyle guidance.

• Grassroots Naturopathic Medicine Health Clinic – Experienced naturopathic care focused on whole-body health, lifestyle counselling, and personalized wellness plans.

• VIVE Integrative Naturopathic Clinic – Naturopathic clinic combining nutrition, botanicals, and individualized support.

• Centre for Natural Medicine – Holistic medicine clinic focusing on natural strategies for healing and long-term wellness.

Acupuncture, TCM & Bodywork

• Calgary Natural Wellness Clinic – Acupuncture and wellness services to support balance, pain relief, and stress management.

• Seton Integrative Health Clinic – Acupuncture and holistic care for nervous system regulation and whole-body well-being.

• The Way Holistic Collective – Collective of wellness providers offering acupuncture, massage therapy, and mindful support.

• The Inner Wellness – Acupuncture, energy work, and integrative body therapies tailored to your needs.

• Docere Wellness Centre – Comprehensive wellness clinic offering acupuncture, herbal medicine, and additional holistic modalities.

Holistic & Alternative Practitioners

• Holistic Health Calgary – Holistic medicine practitioner providing individualized care for mind-body balance.

• Dr. Shannon Ferguson, ND – Naturopathic doctor blending natural therapies with personalized health strategies.

• Balanced Nutrition with Rebekah Burgeson – Holistic nutritionist offering supportive, individualized plans focused on real-life sustainability.

• Divine Mine – Spiritual wellness shop offering energy sessions, sound healing, crystals, books, and classes.

• Joy and Vitality Centre (Quarry Park) – High-vibe wellness center with Reiki, sound therapy, salt cave sessions, and spiritual workshops.

• Clear Float Spa – Float therapy and infrared sauna to support nervous system regulation, pain relief, and deep relaxation.

• The Light Cellar – Superfoods, fermented foods, herbal remedies, and tonic elixirs rooted in earth-based medicine.

• The IV Wellness Boutique – IV nutrient therapy, vitamin injections, and holistic skincare in a clinical setting.

• Soul Temple Wellness – Energy healing, spiritual mentorship, and intuitive services in a grounding space.

A Final Word (Or Maybe a Beginning)

When you hear someone laugh off a practice you’ve found helpful, remember: Many things are “woo”... until they’re not.

If it helps your body feel safer, softer, stronger, it matters.

If it allows you to breathe deeper and feel more present in your own skin, it matters.

If it honours your culture, your lineage, your knowing, it matters.

And no one gets to take that away.

Want to work with someone who doesn’t scoff at what your body knows? I support clients through fertility, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journeys using a full spectrum of care: the clinical, the intuitive, and the in-between.

✨ Book a Meet & Greet with Me ✨

Let’s bring the nurturing back into your care.