Key Principles of Naturopathic Medicine

Why and when natural alternative therapies may be the best healing option for you?

Given the fact that your body is naturally designed to steer away from sickness and diseases, and head straight toward health, it’s not surprising that the idea of finding more natural ways to heal our bodies is becoming more and more popular.

Thousands of people are choosing natural methods to address any health issues they might have and to live a more natural lifestyle that supports health and wellness.

Often, natural therapies are used in conjunction with conventional medical practices to yield a well-rounded and effective treatment plan, also known as complementary medicine.

Natural treatments are not always appropriate on their own, but often are very useful in supporting conventional medical care for various types of conditions. One example is cancer treatment, where radiation and other medical treatments are used by Western doctors, but patients also take advantage of yoga, meditation, other stress reduction therapies, as well as nutritional therapy to further support recovery and enhance general wellbeing.

Another example is those who suffer from pain conditions, like arthritis and fibromyalgia, while taking prescription medication, patients can opt for natural alternatives such as exercise, hydrotherapy, and acupuncture in support of pain management.

Ultimately, Western medicine falls short on many fronts in providing optimal healing and recovery, and a holistic approach to health ensures that every aspect of a person’s life and being is addressed to restore him or her to balance and good health.

Table of Contents

What Is Naturopathy?

Naturopathic medicine, also referred to as naturopathy is a specific system of primary health care that puts a great focus on prevention and self-healing by using natural therapies.

Naturopathic doctors (NDs) use a specific combination of ancient medical practices and hold the philosophy that nature is the most efficient healer.

A naturopathic diagnosis does not focus on mere symptoms of any given condition, but instead seeks to identify the underlying causes of the condition.

Therapies used in naturopathy are backed by scientific research and are acquired from many different disciplines, including nutritional therapy, psychology, conventional medicine, alternative therapies, and even principles of spirituality.

Some of the therapies and treatment modalities used in naturopathy include

Lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise
Stress reduction techniques
Herbalism
Nutritional supplementation
Homeopathy
Exercise
Mental health counselling

NDs may use other natural methods, and may refer their patients to conventional medicine doctors as needed.

Herbs

A widespread and well-known natural healer can be found in herbs. Dr. Roberta Lee, MD, medical director of the Continuum Center for Health and Healing at New York’s Beth Israel Medical Center believes that herbs and other natural therapy options can yield results comparable to conventional medical treatments and often without any adverse side effects.

While herbs have been used for healing and as medicine for many thousands of years, modern science is finally beginning to validate botanical’s abilities to help manage various conditions, including arthritis pain, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar. Herbs can be an excellent addition to your medicine cabinet. They also do wonders when added to your cooking.

Visiting an herbalist for the proper herb and dosage is the best possible option to make sure you’re on the right track and to avoid nasty side effects or problems that may arise when you take certain herbs that interfere with some medications.

A Natural System

Add the above to healthy sleeping habits, meditation and various forms of relaxation, reflexology, acupuncture, massage therapy, which is beneficial in strengthening the nervous system, accelerating blood circulation as well as the metabolic process and you have a complete all natural system that supports the body’s inherent ability to heal itself and sometimes without the adverse effects of conventional medicine.

History of Naturopathy

Naturopathy (or naturopathic medicine) is the study of alternative medicine and natural healing. It is believed that Hippocrates, Father of Medicine (460-357 B.C.), was an advocate for natural healing. It was heavily adopted by the ancient Egyptians, the Greeks, the Romans, and many other ancient civilizations. It especially gained credence in the 19-century Nature Cure Movement of Europe.

Yet it was Dr. Benedict Lust (1872 – 1945) who brought the idea of natural health healing to the United States. Born in Germany, he was a great supporter of nonintrusive healing, and became a forerunner in classical naturopathy. In fact, the credit for the name Naturopathy goes back to Dr. Lust, which is why he is aptly referred to as Father of Naturopathy.

Principles of Naturopathy

Primum non nocere, which means FIRST DO NO HARM
Vis medicatrix naturae, which means THE HEALING POWER OF NATURE
Tolle causam, which means DISCOVER AND TREAT THE CAUSE, NOT JUST THE EFFECT
Tolle totum, which means TREAT THE WHOLE PERSON
Docere, which means THE PHYSICIAN IS A TEACHER
Praevenire, which means PREVENTION IS THE BEST CURE

Three Main Goals of Naturopathy

Naturopathic medicine has three main principles, which it lives by:

1| The primary goal of natural cure is that any type of illness is a direct result of the accumulation of waste in the body. It searches for the imbalance that is causing the negative effect on your health. Once that abnormal imbalance has been found, natural healing hones in to eliminate the disease by realigning mind, body, and soul. Once they’re in accord, there’s a general overall improvement in health and a sustained relief from pain and illness.

When a person is not so healthy from various habits such as stress, lack of sleep, bad diet, lack of exercise, that waste will accumulate in the body and result in various health issues.

When a person is healthy, that waste is flushed away with the help of the different organs. You start to feel your vital energy improve and increase. Your body has the ability to heal itself when faced with the right techniques that help it do so.

Because when you’re healthier, every situation is seen in a more positive light and we embrace life with a “can do” mentality. The best thing about natural healing is that it doesn’t only work on what’s bothering you today, or this week, as traditional medicines do. Rather, it continues giving your body support and healthy healing from the inside out for as long as you continue with this healthy lifestyle and the practices it entails.

2| The second goal is that when you’re dealing with various health issues, such as fever, cold, inflammation, digestive problems, this is the body’s way of trying to dispose of that stored waste. On the other hand, chronic diseases, heart disease, diabetes, rheumatism, asthma, are the body’s natural reaction to toxic treatments used to try to treat the disease.

3| The third goal of healthy, natural healing is to provide people with the opportunity to live healthy, long, balanced lives without relying on prescription drugs, surgeries, or even suffering from chronic, painful conditions. Instead, it treats the ailment based on the body’s capacity to heal itself.

About Naturopathic Doctors

Naturopathic Physicians

Naturopathic physicians (NDs) get their graduate education through a 4-year program, which is offered at various North American naturopathic medical schools that receive their accreditation from Council on Naturopathic Medical Education and which are approved by the Federal Government of the United States.

Not all states provide licensing for naturopathic doctors, some that do include California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Kansas, North Dakota, and a few others.

In states that have licensing requirements, NDs are required to graduate from a 4-year naturopathic medical college. Naturopathic medical students are required to participate in a two-year clinical internship under the close supervision of a licensed medical professional. They must also pass rigorous testing to receive licensure by a state or jurisdiction. Additionally, upon licensure they are required to maintain continuing education credits.

NDs are educated in the same medical sciences as conventional doctors (MDs) and use Western medicine principles as the foundation of both treatment and diagnosis. The main difference is that NDs take a holistic approach to treatment, with a significant emphasis on prevention of disease and promoting general wellness.

On top of following the standard medical curriculum, NDs are also trained in clinical nutrition, homeopathy, herbalism, acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, mental health counseling, and other alternative therapies.

One main distinguishing feature between NDs and MDs is the treatment philosophy, where naturopathic doctors view the role of the physician as a facilitator to healing through identification and removal of barriers to the overall health of the patient.

Since the viewpoint of naturopathy is that natural therapies can be both primary and complementary, many ND’s will refer patients to conventional doctors, such as surgeons and other specialists as needed.

You can obtain more information and find a naturopathic doctor at the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians’ website.

Traditional Naturopaths

Traditional naturopaths, who are referred to as “naturopaths,” receive training from organizations that are not accredited or recognized for accreditation purposes by the U.S. Department of Education. Traditional naturopaths are typically not eligible for licensing.

Other Medical Care Providers

You can also find other health care providers, including medical doctors, chiropractors and even nurse practitioners who are trained in and provide naturopathic treatments using a holistic approach to treatment, health, and general wellness.

Naturopathy Versus Conventional Medicine

There have been many that insist on keeping natural medicine on the back burner. They are giving it a bad rep by calling it backwards, inferior and unreliable. This is largely due to the popularity and widespread dominance of modern medicine in Western society.

Nonetheless, taking synthetic drugs may not always be the best solution. What pharmaceuticals are programmed to do is treat the symptoms, reduce the signs of the main issue. This offers transitory pain relief, often accompanied by harsh side effects.

They also block the body’s ability to self-heal, as well as absorb the nutrients it needs. Sir William Osler (1849 – 1919), preeminent physician, surgeon, and one of the founding professors of Johns Hopkins Hospital, stated that when medication is used, the patient has to recuperate twice – once from the illness itself, and once more the toxic pharmaceuticals taken to treat the illness.

Anyone who’s had the slightest bit of runny nose or fever knows exactly what Sir Osler meant when he said that, and that’s not even taking into consideration what a cancer patient goes through after taking a round of chemotherapy.

A Natural Lifestyle

Another of Sir Osler’s most famous quotes is, “One of the first duties of the physician is to educate the masses not to take medicine.” He knew that since the dawn of man, people have been taking herbal extracts, and practicing natural medicine. Even before the introduction of technology and chemically enhanced medicines, patients and doctors relied on natural practices and therapies to treat illnesses and injuries.

It is this natural lifestyle that can give your body the chance to function at its best, and be in harmony with nature as well as your body’s natural, cyclical patterns according to what time of day it is, what season it is, and yes, what time of the month it is.

Good nutrition together with nutritional supplements, a healthy dose of sun and physical activity are key. Everyone knows that fitness fosters overall health, wellness, and does away with tension.

The idea that prevention is worth a thousand cures is central to naturopathy. When you take care of yourself and your body by making healthy lifestyle choices and make self-care a priority, your health is more likely to flourish.

Advantages of Naturopathy

Just like with everything else in life, natural healing does have its pros and cons which you should weigh out before trying any type of naturopathy therapy.

Good for overall well-being since it focuses on healing mind, body and spirit, such as massage, meditation; even a balanced diet can assist in establishing and improving mental and psychological health
Meets individual needs since each one of has is different in their body type, energy levels, moods, appetite, etc. natural healing looks at our unique physical and emotional characteristics, and works with our body’s natural ability to ward off diseases and pain, and eventually reach and maintain a sense of equilibrium. This is in great contrast to medical treatments, which use a one-size fits all approach.
Reduced side effects, safer over time.
Utilize the body’s natural healing process, which means maintaining the body in its natural state without impurities or toxins.
Manages chronic conditions more effectively, for example those that are pain based. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan Health System, and published in the 2010 issue of the Journal Pain Medicine found that elderly patients who suffer from chronic pain conditions make use of alternative therapies more often than other populations.
May offer budget-friendly and lower cost treatments.
Offers an alternative when traditional treatments fail and also provide complementary options in support of and in conjunction with conventional medical care.
Increases body’s ability to fight off diseases and boosts immunity for an overall healthier state of being.
Easy to get hold of, readily available. In remote areas of the world, growing herbs may be easier than getting a prescription filled and is often one of the best treatments available.

Disadvantages of Naturopathy

Not suitable for all conditions. There are many conditions that require the intervention of conventional medicine and so a doctor’s advice should never be ignored
No dosage instructions
Can interact with medications
Not all natural remedies have been scientifically tested, nor does the FDA regulate them

The Holistic Approach

Many consider holistic medicine to be the best approach to a well-rounded treatment or for general health and wellness as it integrates conventional medical practices with alternative healing methods.

Holism, such as that practiced in naturopathy addresses the whole person and all their needs to restore balance and wellbeing instead of simply dealing with symptoms of some condition.