Holism is the philosophic truth that whole things express properties and characteristics that are not reducible to their parts. For example the beauty of a flower or a painting cannot be explained by examining the characteristics of the atoms of which they are composed. Holism is opposite to reductionism which argues that all things can be explained by examining the properties of their parts and pieces. Reductionism is also related to materialism which attributes all things to manifestations of matter.

Wysong is a uniquely holistic company for the following reasons:

Our founder, Dr. Wysong, was the first to introduce holism as a principle that companies should embrace. Holism is not a label to merely attach to products and brochures, it is a serious concept that must be understood and embraced going into business.

Dr. Wysong has written several books on the subject and published a holistic newsletter for almost two decades. He teaches holism and his company embodies it.

Wysong was founded on the principle that products and business practices should reflect an underlying concern for health and the well being of the world, not simply focus on one aspect (a piece) of business, money.

Holism is the source of health. As a holistic company Wysong therefore addresses health with competence. While other companies are led by business people and entrepreneurs who make claims about holism and health, Wysong was begun by and is directed by on-staff doctorate level health professionals.

Wysong has advanced environmental principles from its beginnings and practices recycling, reusability, energy efficiency, use of renewable resources, reduction of waste, avoidance of toxins and aggressive education on these matters. Examples include reusable and recyclable packaging where possible, innovative energy efficient buildings, use of renewable wood and corn for energy and heat, tree-planting programs, natural fertilizers, insecticides, disinfectants, and over 300 other natural products created specifically to fill a holistic need, not just turn profits. Wysong even makes sure no piece of paper goes to recycling before it is used on both sides. If one were to visit Wysong headquarters, it would be noted that it lies in a quadrant of the city that has been denuded and commercialized. The Wysong site stands out with its 10 acres of pristine forest, a small lake created for fish and wildlife, its wood-burning furnace, recycling bins and compost piles. This contrast of the Wysong site in the middle of the mindless commercial advance of a city is a metaphor for how Wysong as a company sits in the middle of all other commercial enterprises.

Health is an emergent holistic quality that results from respecting the whole and our integral link to nature. All Wysong products are designed and produced with knowledge of and respect for this fact. While other companies focus on singular aspects of products to capture a marketing edge – organic, no preservatives, a special ingredient, lack of a boogeyman ingredient and the like – Wysong pays attention to all aspects of product concept, design, production and packaging to capture the entire holistic and healthy value of nature. (See “Don’t Be Fooled” section on the Wysong.net website under “Learn.”)

The range of Wysong product applications speaks to the holistic vision. Since the idea of true holism has not yet been practiced by companies there are huge vacancies needing to be filled by products that truly respect nature and genetic context and put health first. That is why Wysong products range from human, to pet, large animal, environmental, agricultural, veterinary, medical, physical therapy, orthotic, personal care, home ecology, sports, supplements, foods, preservatives, exercise, to educational. Over 300 holistic products have been developed. The product spectrum is in itself all inclusive, in other words, holistic.

Health is the primary goal of Wysong and has always been. It takes priority over profits. If people were to follow Dr. Wysong’s counsel to a tee, they would not have to use any processed products, even Wysong’s.

For 25 years Dr. Wysong has warned of the danger of so-called 100% complete processed foods that are designed on the reductionistic assumption that foods are best made by assembling parts and pieces of nutrients. In contrast, Wysong has advised diet rotation, the use of fresh whole natural foods, and products designed that create the true holistic qualities of fresh, whole natural foods. For example there are non-thermally processed pet foods that are essentially all-meat, and snacks and cereals for humans that have not been heat processed as well. The technology to do this has taken years of research and required millions of dollars. Production is extremely labor intensive and requires days to complete. Some products – when all costs are calculated – produce no profit for Wysong whatsoever and are sold at a loss. They are produced because nobody else is doing it and they bring unequalled health benefits to humans and animals. There are cheaper, faster more profitable ways to run a business but that is not Wysong’s objective. Holistic health is.

Wysong is the only company that understands that holistic foods are only those foods that can be consumed as they exist in nature with no processing or cooking necessary and designs its products accordingly.

Wysong respects the rights of all life, does no animal experimentation, supports animal welfare and uses food resources that would otherwise be wasted so as not to put further pressure on
food animal production.

The non-profit Wysong Institute supports true victims in our society – homeless and abused animals, children and the environment.

Resources derived from business are used to do good and educate the public with responsible products and information, not merely line the pockets of executives or squander on materialistic goods.

Employees are treated with respect, helped to build their health and given opportunity to exploit their creative potential and desire to give back to the world. Wysong offers vacation facilities in nature, has provided an in-house child day-care facility, recycling resources, opportunity for people to control their own wages with their creative efforts, and time off with pay to do philanthropic work.

Holism is a fundamental truth in nature. To live in accord with it is to live in accord with truth. While many say the words – “natural,” “organic,” “holistic,” and so on – Wysong walks the walk in every respect even if by doing so the bottom line is not improved. In this respect, Wysong is better thought of as a cause, not a company.

In short, Wysong uses business as a tool to do good, not as a mere opportunity for profit. In every way possible, Wysong attempts to make a better world and prevent disease and suffering by wise holistic approaches that respect nature and treat humans as the higher ethical and thinking creatures they are meant to be.