Energy and natural healing glossary: 30 essential terms

The language of energy and natural healing can intimidate newcomers. Here are the 30 most frequent terms, simply defined, sorted by major families: traditional medicines, energetics, naturopathy, and cross-cutting concepts.

TRADITIONAL MEDICINES

Qi (Chinese medicine): vital energy that circulates through the body via the meridians. An imbalance of Qi is considered the underlying cause of many symptoms.

Meridians: energy channels of Chinese medicine. There are 12 main ones, each associated with an organ. Acupuncture stimulates precise points on these meridians.

Yin / Yang: principle of complementarity (feminine/masculine, cold/hot, inner/outer). Yin-yang balance is central to all Chinese thought.

Five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water. Diagnostic and treatment framework in Chinese energetics.

Prana (India): Indian equivalent of Qi. Vital energy that circulates via the nadis (channels) and animates the chakras.

Chakras: 7 energy centers aligned along the spine, according to Indian tradition. Each governs physical, emotional and spiritual functions.

Ayurveda: Indian traditional medicine, 5,000 years old. Classifies people by doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) and adapts diet, herbs, routines accordingly.

ENERGETICS

Reiki: Japanese hands-on practice to transmit universal healing energy. Three levels of training (Shoden, Okuden, Shinpiden).

Biofield: modern term for the energy field surrounding and penetrating the body. Recognized by certain branches of the US NIH for research.

Magnetism: ancient Western tradition of healing by laying on of hands. Differs from Reiki in framework (the magnetizer projects their own energy).

Bioenergy: generic term for modern energy healing practices with or without touch.

EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique): psycho-energetic technique combining tapping of acupuncture points and verbalization to release blocked emotions.

NATUROPATHY & BOTANY

Terrain: key naturopathic concept. Refers to the overall state of your organism (digestion, sleep, immunity). Treat the terrain rather than the symptom.

Drainage: open the emunctories (liver, kidneys, lungs, skin, intestines) to eliminate toxins before any treatment.

Herbalism: therapeutic use of plants as teas, tinctures, capsules. Regulated differently by country.

Gemmotherapy: use of plant buds and young shoots, believed to concentrate vegetative force.

Aromatherapy: therapeutic use of essential oils. Requires real training — some EOs are neurotoxic or hormonal.

Mycotherapy: use of medicinal mushrooms (reishi, shiitake, chaga). Asian tradition spanning millennia, now returning to the West.

BODY & MOVEMENT

Fascia: connective tissue that wraps all muscles and organs. Target of fasciatherapy and modern osteopathy.

Posture / kinesiology: study of human movement. Assessment and re-education of compensations.

Therapeutic touch: codified North American technique of laying on of hands, taught in hospital settings.

Swedish / Californian / shiatsu massage: three major massage traditions — classical, fluid-emotional, pressure on meridians respectively.

PSYCHO-EMOTIONAL

Ericksonian hypnosis: gentle non-directive approach, founded by Milton Erickson. Different from stage hypnosis.

Sophrology: relaxation method combining breathing, visualization and bodily awareness. Widely used in France and Switzerland.

Heart coherence: breathing technique (5-5 seconds for 5 minutes, 3 times a day) that regulates the autonomic nervous system.

CROSS-CUTTING CONCEPTS

Holistic: considers the person as a whole (body-mind-emotions-social) rather than symptom by symptom.

Anamnesis: detailed initial interview about your history, background, lifestyle. Standard with any serious practitioner.

Placebo / nocebo effect: improvement (or worsening) induced by belief, independent of substance or technique. Not "nothing" — a powerful mechanism that operates in any healing practice.

Informed consent: your absolute right to know what will be done, why, with what risks, and to refuse at any time.

This glossary is not exhaustive. If a term you're looking for isn't here, write to us — we'll add it to the next update.