The power of Natural Medicine

WHAT IS NATURAL MEDICINE?

Natural medicine, also known as naturopathy, is a form of alternative medicine which can involve a combination of homeopathy, herbalism, acupuncture, diet and lifestyle adaptations.

And it’s not a new concept! Natural medicine’s founding principles were discovered by the Greek philosopher Hippocrates and they originate all the way back to 400BC! The original ideology behind natural medicine, stems from vitalism and self-healing, with natural medicine practitioners aiming to use gentle therapeutic protocols and techniques which involve the mind, body and emotions to aid the healing process. 

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Each person is treated as an individual, unique case, where practitioners will focus on treating the whole person, rather than focusing on one area of the patient’s problems. 

Naturopaths believe each system in the body is interconnected, and aim to align all structures of the body so that it can function optimally and support its own self-healing. They may also avoid the use of methods that may suppress symptoms, as the main aim is to get to the root problem, so the body can fully restore and heal itself. 

Another important principle of naturopathic medicine is to focus on the prevention of poor health and disease. Depending on the patient’s main areas of concern and symptoms, the treatment methods can vary and may involve multiple methods focusing on:

• Dietary advice 
• Lifestyle advice to promote overall health and eliminate stress
• Herbal medication to reduce and prevent symptoms
• Massage therapy to relieve tension and promote optimal well-being
• Hydrotherapy as it is believed water is vital when it comes to stimulating the body’s immune system
• Meditation as a form of stress relief and management

WHO PRACTISES NATURAL MEDICINE?

Individuals who practise natural medicine are known as naturopaths and can include naturopathic nutritionists and naturopathic doctors.

Different types of naturopathic practitioners can include:

• Naturopathic nutritionist
• Osteopath
• Ayurvedic doctor
• Naturopathic doctor
• Herbalist
• Traditional chinese medicine practitioner

BENEFITS OF NATURAL MEDICINE

A naturopath has the vision of looking after your health, not just right now, but long into the future. As mentioned, it’s not just about treating the symptoms but getting to the deeper root cause. 

Common conditions such as headaches, tiredness, fatigue, depression, insomnia, weight fluctuations, acne, arthritis, gut problems and more, have all stemmed from not getting to the root cause, often years prior to being diagnosed with these conditions. 

The modern, 2022 idea of taking a painkiller to give a temporary fix will not help the problem. Therefore working with a naturopath looks at the whole picture, aiming to improve your health now and right through to the future, really focusing on longevity. 

CONDITIONS IT MAY WORK FOR

According to a 2020 survey, the most popular patient conditions when working with naturopathic doctors included improvements in digestion, nutrition and mental health. (1) 

Some of the most common health conditions treated by naturopathic practises include:

• Digestion
• Food allergies and sensitivities 
• Fatigue
• Sleep difficulties
• Stress
• Anxiety 
• Depression
• Hormonal imbalances 
• Skin conditions such as eczema and acne 

SHOULD I TRY NATURAL MEDICINE?

Natural medicine and its approaches can offer relief for a whole host of conditions and symptoms but holistic medicine is not a replacement for traditional medical care- it may be worth consulting with a traditional doctor before trying out holistic treatments, especially if you are taking prescription medications. This will be sure you get the safest care possible when starting on your natural medicine journey. 

 https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/about/foundation-health-measures/Determinants-of-Health (1)