Active Ingredient(s)?

     Coronary bypass surgery appears to be effective. An early study comparing regular coronary bypass surgery with mock surgery (only a skin incision was made, then sutured up, all under GA) apparently gave very similar results. Drugs (GA & analgesics) can keep us asleep, pain-free, during what otherwise would be unbearably painful surgery. The insertion of acupuncture needles alone also permits pain-free surgery. Under clinical hypnosis alone (without any drugs: sedatives, anesthetics, muscle relaxants, post-op analgesics) major surgery can be performed completely painlessly. (Rausch V. Cholecystectomy with self-hypnosis. Am J Clin Hypn 1980; 22(3): 124-9.) Tai chi is practiced using the least amount of muscular energy as possible. Elderly tai chi teachers are far more powerful than their much younger and much physically stronger students. The former can effortlessly hurl the latter backwards at much greater speeds than can be explained based on muscular effort. Tibetan monks can generate sufficient heat from their near-naked bodies, that they can dry wet bedsheets outdoors in sub-freezing temperatures (tummo). Many meditators can enhance warm energy flow throughout their bodies simply by becoming still and relaxing for a minute.
     Acupuncture is thought to unblock energy, allowing it to flow normally in a system where disease is understood as blockage or stagnation of energy (qi).
     Interestingly, one definition of hypnosis is "a deeply relaxed state, with increased suggestibility and suspension of critical faculties." Bobrow RS. The witch in the waiting room: A physician examines paranormal phenomena in medicine. Thunder's Mouth Press, NY, 2006.

      A relaxed (unarmored) body and an open mind (psychological flexibility) appear to be key ingredients for optimal health, healing, wholeness. An open mind has nothing to do with gullibility. A closed mind imposes severely limited possibilities.
     Mindfulness involves mind-body practices designed to gently, progressively relax the body and open the mind.