Sunday Digest: 11 Alternative Practices That Healed My Body And Mind
I tried leech therapy so you don't have to! Or do you?
📚 “The Blue Hour” by Paula Hawkins — is a slow-burn psychological thriller that centers on the legacy of the reclusive artist Vanessa Chapman. When a London museum guest claims that a bone embedded in one of Vanessa’s sculptures is human rather than animal, curator James Becker is sent to the remote tidal island of Eris to investigate. Hawkins delivers an atmospheric and haunting exploration of art, memory, and secrecy. The novel thrives on mood—the Scottish island setting is almost a character in itself—and drips with tension as revelations come in slow trickles. I loved it.
🎥 “Slow Horses,” Season 5 — The fifth season of Slow Horses has arrived, and with just one episode out so far, it’s off to a strong start—it’s dark and hilarious, as expected. The show wastes no time diving back into the complicated dynamics of the department, dark humor, and high-stakes espionage. I do believe right now it’s one of the most compelling spy dramas on television. If the first episode is any indication, Season 5 is shaping up to deliver!
🎧 “How to Fail with Elizabeth Day” Robin Wright on ageing, confidence and the myth of being ‘too late’ — is a masterclass in failing, rising, and ultimately carving your own path on your own terms. Robin opens up about the opportunities she let slip away in her twenties, talks about fear, self-worth, womanhood, motherhood - and what it means to start over later in life.
I want to start by saying I love modern medicine. I think painkillers are amazing and antibiotics are extraordinary. However, I think we as society overuse those things. We often try to mask symptoms instead of curing the underlying conditions.
For years, I searched for ways to feel good, aren’t we all?
That’s where alternative and holistic practices come in for me. They don’t replace modern medicine—I would never want to live in a world without it—but they offer another layer of healing, one that looks at the root causes and not just the surface symptoms.
Instead of numbing pain, they ask why is this pain here in the first place? Instead of silencing the body, they invite us to listen more closely. Over the years, I’ve discovered practices that have helped me heal in ways prescriptions alone never could. I believe the real magic happens when we allow both—modern medicine and ancient wisdom—to work together, giving us the best of both worlds.
Here are the eleven that had the biggest impact:
Let’s start with the weirdest one.
Hirudotherapy (Medicinal leech therapy)
My mother, among other things, is a hirudotherapist, a really good one. I don’t think I would have ever tried leeches if it weren’t for her. Unconventional yet powerful—I now truly believe it works. It wasn’t even as unpleasant as I expected.
For me, the results were undeniable. I had used steroids for about ten years to keep my eczema under control, constantly battling flare-ups on my hands. Then, after just two sessions (belly button and anus) of leech therapy, my eczema disappeared for an entire year (!). I don’t know how it works but it does work.
It’s not something I ever imagined myself advocating, but I now truly believe in its healing power. What once seemed archaic or even unsettling has proven to be one of the most effective treatments I’ve ever done.
P.s. My mother who has suffered from endometriosis for years, believes she cured it by consistent hirudotherapy. I can’t attest to that but I do have a brother who is 20 years younger, so there might be something to it, haha.
Acupuncture
An old Chinese lady (I only mention that because to me it gives an extra layer of authority when it comes to acupuncture) told me to undress, had a good look at my back and said that acupuncture is not going to cure my shoulder pain unless I start sitting properly. Apparently, my spine was rounded from years of sitting crossing my legs.
But joke was on her. One session cured my chronic shoulder pain. Really, it was gone. I don’t know what kind of sorcery she did. Perhaps the needles unpinched a nerve, but that specific pain was gone after one session and never came back (6 yers so far).
I must confess, I still sit crossing my legs. That will probably create a bunch of issues later in life, so I should really stop doing it.
Cupping therapy
Cupping is another practice I’ve experienced through my mom’s work, and it continues to surprise me with its impact. Using suction cups placed on the skin, the treatment stimulates blood flow, releases deep-seated tension, and helps draw out stagnation that the body tends to hold onto. It honestly feels as though the body exhales from the inside out.
My mother uses a cupping machine, which creates a strong and precise level of suction, and the difference compared to hand-pumped cups is remarkable. The machine makes the treatment more controlled and consistent, but even simple hand cups can work effectively, especially for easing sore muscles or stimulating circulation. I don’t have a machine, so occasionally do use hand cups on my shoulders, neck, etc.
For me, the most surprising part is how quickly it shifts both physical and mental states. After a session, I feel not only looser in my muscles but also clearer in my head. It’s another one of those unconventional therapies I might never have tried on my own, but through my mother’s practice, I’ve come to love it.
Nicole J. Sachs’ approach treats chronic pain and anxiety as signals from the nervous system rather than purely physical problems. The core of her method is JournalSpeak—a daily practice of expressive writing that brings up hidden or repressed emotions like anger, fear, grief, or shame so they can be acknowledged instead of buried in the body.
By consistently giving space to these feelings and pairing the work with compassion, patience, and nervous-system regulation tools, the body can begin to release long-held tension and pain. I use this practice as a complement to my physical routines, letting it serve as emotional hygiene—clearing out what’s heavy so that both mind and body can reset and restore balance. And it works wonders.
Herbal infusions
I am a huge believer in power of plants. Herbal infusions are one of the simplest and most nurturing ways to receive plant medicine—stronger than a tea, yet gentler than tinctures. By steeping dried herbs in hot water for several hours, the plants release their minerals, vitamins, and healing compounds in a form the body can easily absorb. Unlike quick-brew teas, infusions are meant to be slow: you let the herbs sit, then sip throughout the day. They can strengthen the nervous system, support digestion, ease stress, and replenish minerals after pregnancy.
My daily herbal infusion:
A mineral-rich infusion for hormonal balance, digestion, and steady vitality.
I drink 2–3 cups daily whenever I want grounding, clarity, and a calm sense of flow.
This blend is formulated to support hormonal balance, digestion, and steady energy while still providing a strong foundation of minerals and vitamins. It offers generous amounts of:
Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, and Potassium (for bone strength, blood health, and nervous system support)
Silica and Zinc (for skin, hair, nails, and fertility support)
Vitamins A, C, E, and K (for immune health, tissue repair, and antioxidant protection)
B-complex vitamins (for mood and metabolism support)
Herbs in the blend:
Red Clover Blossoms – 2 tbsp — Rich in calcium, magnesium, and phytoestrogens. Supports hormonal balance, skin clarity, and gentle detoxification.
Nettle Leaf – 2 tbsp — Mineral powerhouse (iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, silica). Supports blood building, adrenal health, and resilience.
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