Key Principles Of Naturopathy

It could be considered that conventional medicine has indirectly contributed to the rise of complementary and alternative medicine. A broad definition of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is “a broad set of health care practices that are not part of that country’s own tradition or conventional medicine and are not fully integrated into the dominant health-care system” (The World Health Organisation, n.d.). Expanding on this definition it is important to address the variable similarities of CAM modalities. CAM therapies across the various modalities have in common a shared, in varying degrees, holistic approach and subscribe to some form of vitality - a contrast from the science-based view point of conventional medicine prevalent in western society. In spite of CAM therapies empirical nature and efficacies, it is suggested that dissatisfaction of conventional medicine underpins the popularity it has garnered, thus, it will be examined further as to how and why. A further discussion will be made to related dangers of both alternative and science-based medicine; providing an opportunity to constructively educate the public on the differences between the two systems.

Holistic Medicine, commonly referred to as “Alternative Medicine”, is a vast and rapidly growing new scientific field. It is derived mainly from ancient, traditional methods of healing that have often been practiced in the East for centuries. These include a variety of techniques from herbal healing to acupuncture to homeopathy to energy channeling. Due to the large number of methods that are covered by the term, there are various definitions of Holistic Medicine. However, all literature seems to agree that Alternative Medicine, is exactly what the name suggests: an ‘alternative’ approach to healing and medicine. It is a more personal move toward health care, which attempts to connect the mind, body and spirit.

As a physician I have seen many patients with mental health disorders they have been on many allopathic medications; experiencing several adverse effects and most of them didn’t aware any other alternative treatments or adjuvant measures to help with their mental health. After I migrated to Canada, I got an opportunity to work with an Integrative Family Doctor, who prescribes natural treatment for many patients’ conditions. I was surprised with the symptoms relief many patients expiring, while they were adding natural therapies to their treatment plan. Sometimes those measures were life style or dietary changes, sometimes naturiceutical prescribed as an adjuvant therapy to patients’ antipsyhiatric medications, another occasion it was totally natural treatments. It opened my eyes about alternative treatments and decided to explore more about natural treatment for mental health disorders. So, I decided to study naturopathic medicine at

Complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM, can be characterized as a gathering of restorative, human services, and healing systems other than those incorporated into health care in the United States. CAM incorporates the perspectives, speculations, modalities, items, and practices connected with these systems and their utilization to treat disease and advance health and prosperity (McKenzie, 2012). Even though heterogeneous, the significant CAM frameworks have numerous normal attributes, including an attention on individualizing medications, treating the entire individual, advancing self-consideration and self-recuperating, and perceiving the otherworldly way of every person. What's more, numerous CAM frameworks have attributes generally found in standard human services, for example, an emphasis on great sustenance and preventive practices. Dissimilar to standard medication, CAM frequently needs or has just restricted trial and clinical concentrate; then again, experimental examination of CAM is starting to address this learning crevice. In this manner, limits in the

Today, there are numerous integrative medicine programs in which individuals can choose to enroll. Botanical medicine, (also known as herbal medicine) is a great option to those medical professionals desiring to extend additional, non-invasive, and holistic healthcare treatments. Nurse practitioners, physicians and other healthcare providers who enroll in herbal integrative medicine programs gain education and training in the history of botanical medicine and pharmacy; herbal nutritional counseling, dosing and formulating; pathology in relation to botanical medicine, herbal safety and toxicity, and other related studies.

Some people falsely assume that because naturopathic medicine comes from the earth, it must not be a very effective alternative cancer treatment option. Maybe, they have tried it, but the results were too inconsistent, or it didn't seem to do anything at all. This is partly due to the multitude of companies who do not standardize the herbal remedy products that they sell. If pulled off of store shelves to be analyzed, one would find that most herbal remedy capsules and tinctures have very little of the key active ingredient. Don't let this deter you from using them though. Find a company that guarantees the quality and purity of their herbal remedies, and talk to your naturopath about including some of the following known cancer-fighting herbs

The most challenging of the three treatment principles, in my opinion, is improving adaptive functioning so the

There are several reasons why I have decided to pursue a career in Naturopathic medicine. First and foremost I want to help people. Septic arthritis in my hip at the age 9 months has led to a lifetime of being constantly involved in many disciplines of the healthcare system. And while medical doctors and surgeons have provided me with the ability to walk and lead a normal life, it was naturopathic and chiropractic doctors that really helped me overcome my overall health concerns. I owe a lot to naturopathic medicine and ultimately wish to become a naturopathic doctor so that I can help other people in ways that I was helped myself. I know that my passion lies within medicine, but the ‘10 minute appointment followed by a prescription’ kind of healthcare does not appeal to me.

Healthcare practitioners instruct their patients on how to get partial or complete symptom relief, but do not teach them how to reverse disease. The problems continue at a subclinical level until they worsens beyond the control of supplements or drugs. Whether you use drugs or supplements; treating symptoms is the first mistake. Ignoring the emotions, lifestyle or road-blocks connected to the disease or symptoms must be understood for a complete remission. Like everything else in life, health problems continue to get worse or better. The longer we have a health problem, the more complex it is to reverse.

Until the day I came across a term, since then has never left my mind. Naturopathy. Unlike homeopathy, naturopathy integrates the science of modern day medicine with the art of traditional medicine. I have always been interested in the field of traditional medicine as a hobby, but never thought I could pursue a successful career in it.

A balanced lifestyle is a healthy lifestyle, giving attention to the whole person focusing on a person’s optimal health by promoting therapy to heal the mind, body and spirit of a person. Holistic medicine encompasses all safe and appropriate modalities of diagnosis and treatment (AHHA, 2015). The principles of holistic medical practice include safe and effective options that help with the diagnosis and treatment by educating patients to help them change their lifestyle and self-care, conventional drugs and surgery, searching for the underlying causes of disease is preferable to symptoms alone, illness is viewed as a manifestation of a dysfunction of the whole person, not as an isolated event, Holistic physicians encourage patients to evoke the healing power of love, hope, humor and enthusiasm, and to release the toxic consequences of hostility, shame, greed, depression, and prolonged fear, anger, and grief. Unconditional love is life 's most powerful medicine. Physicians strive to adopt an attitude of unconditional love for patients, themselves, and other practitioners. Optimal health is much more than the absence of sickness. It is the conscious pursuit of the highest qualities of the physical, environmental, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social aspects of the human experience (AHHA, 2015).

These therapies have proved to be of much benefit in supporting the normal healing course of the body. Even though there are many modern alternative remedies, with different beliefs, all of them operate under some common principles. One of these principles is that the body has the capacity to heal naturally and maintain stability (Paquette, 2000). The other one is that adverse health conditions can occur as a result of factors emanating from mind, emotions and the body. Alternative medicine, according to Goldberg, Trivieri and Anderson, (2002), focuses on determining the chief cause of a particular condition, and dealing with the whole person rather that concentrating on symptoms. If a person pays close attention to his/her health he/she can contribute to his/her wellbeing. Alternative medicine holds firmly to the principle that one treatment cannot be used for all people even though they may be suffering from the same condition. Each and every person as per alternative medicine has distinct bodily, mind and spiritual make up (Goldberg, Trivieri and Anderson, 2002).

It encompasses diet, nutritional medicine, therapies and self-care regimes to attain healing (Young, 2007). Naturopathy has six principles: 1. The healing power of nature (vis medicatrix naturae) – Naturopaths identify and remove obstacles to cure to ensure that the body can heal itself and maintain health. 2. First do no harm (primum no nocere) – Naturopaths use natural substances to prevent suppression of symptoms which leads to harm and a blockage to cure and health. 3. Identify and treat the cause (tolle causam) – Naturopaths look for the cause of the disease and don’t just treat the symptoms. 4. The physician as teacher (docere) – Naturopaths advise and encourage their patients to take control of their own health and also see each patient visit as an opportunity for learning. 5. Treat the whole person (in perturbato animo sicut in corpore sanitas esse non potest) – Naturopaths treat the whole person, from their internal environment such as the physical, mental and emotional, to their external environment which includes social factors. 6. Prevention (principiis obsta: sero medicina curator) – Naturopaths focus on preventing disease by determining risk factors and assisting their patients to make healthy lifestyle choices (Bodhiclinic.com, 2018; Young,

Most patients now prefer herbal medicine as compared to medicinal drugs. They are becoming popular to treat everything from minor to major to diseases. The reason why people are so into herbal medicine is because of their natural qualities that promote a healthy method of healing various products.

Cause of an illness does not depend on one factor; for example, carrying a certain microbe in body. In fact, many other elements such as one’s lifestyle, temperament, and state of mind must be considered. On the other hand, conventional medicine treats patients by prescribing the same medicine to people who have the same illness. At this point, Homeopathy stands as a supplementary and an alternative treatment, since it depends on the idea of the mind’s and the body’s strong connection, which asserts the importance of understanding of the person’s constitution and character in healing process. Homeopathy starts with the principle “the like cures like” which is developed in 5th century BC by Hippocrates. Today, this principle stands as the main fundamental of treatment in homeopathy. Between 1st and 5th century AD Romans developed the medicines,