Naturopathy in brief
Naturopathy is a system of healthcare with a deep history of traditional philosophies and practices, supported by modern scientific research with medically trained practitioners and a breadth of natural treatment options to serve patients. It falls within the Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) and Integrative Medicine (IM) industries.
Naturopathy is based on the principle of homeostasis - that the body can heal itself and will always strive towards good health. Naturopathic Medicine is far from a new medical paradigm. When we look to the father of all modern medicine, Hippocrates, we see all the makings of a modern naturopathic doctor. "Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food" is probably his most famous adage, reminding us that proper nutrition in the right balance is the key to healing and building strong healthy bodies. More recently, naturopathy has been practiced and known in Germany for centuries. Many of the principles and philosophies of modern naturopathy originated in Germany and Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries. Read here for more detail.
North America is now considered the home of modern naturopathy, or naturopathic medicine where qualified graduates are licensed Naturopathic Doctors. Most New Zealand naturopathic schools are government-accredited and naturopaths here are working hard toward regulation/licensure. It is imperative that when seeing a naturopath, you make sure they are registered with the Naturopaths and Medical Herbalists of New Zealand association to guarantee they have the correct scientific training and ongoing education to safely work with patients. There are growing and compounding numbers of strong international naturopathic associations, ongoing naturopathic research and specialised groups and journals to support the practice of naturopathic medicine.
Naturopathy is based on the principle of homeostasis - that the body can heal itself and will always strive towards good health. Naturopathic Medicine is far from a new medical paradigm. When we look to the father of all modern medicine, Hippocrates, we see all the makings of a modern naturopathic doctor. "Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food" is probably his most famous adage, reminding us that proper nutrition in the right balance is the key to healing and building strong healthy bodies. More recently, naturopathy has been practiced and known in Germany for centuries. Many of the principles and philosophies of modern naturopathy originated in Germany and Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries. Read here for more detail.
North America is now considered the home of modern naturopathy, or naturopathic medicine where qualified graduates are licensed Naturopathic Doctors. Most New Zealand naturopathic schools are government-accredited and naturopaths here are working hard toward regulation/licensure. It is imperative that when seeing a naturopath, you make sure they are registered with the Naturopaths and Medical Herbalists of New Zealand association to guarantee they have the correct scientific training and ongoing education to safely work with patients. There are growing and compounding numbers of strong international naturopathic associations, ongoing naturopathic research and specialised groups and journals to support the practice of naturopathic medicine.
Maverick physician Dr. Henry Bieler, author of the bestselling Food is your Best Medicine, wrote:
As a practicing physician for over fifty years, I have reached three basic conclusions as to the cause and cure of disease: |
Naturopathic Principles
Although there have historically been broad discussions on the principles and practice of naturopathic medicine, there was no formal codification process until 1986, when the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) formed a committee that spent over three years reviewing the historic data and documents and interviewing over 1,000 people. In 1989, a definition of naturopathic medicine and the description of the six naturopathic principles was formally codified and accepted by the two North American national naturopathic associations (AANP and the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND)). Based on the 2014/2015 global naturopathic workforce survey these principles now have international recognition and acceptance.
The naturopathic principles taught in most countries include:
Naturopathic Theories
There are a number of naturopathic theories practiced around the world including:
The naturopathic principles taught in most countries include:
- First, Do No Harm (primum non nocere)
- Healing Power of Nature (vis medicatrixnaturae)
- Treat the Cause (tollecausam)
- Treat the Whole Person (tolletotum)
- Doctor as Teacher (docere)
- Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Naturopathic Theories
There are a number of naturopathic theories practiced around the world including:
- Vital Force (vis vitalis) / Theory of Vitality (helping the body fight the disease itself)
- Unity of Disease (not thousands of diseases but only one disease process, "irritation, inflammation, ulceration")
- Hering Law of Cure (all cures start from within out, from the head down)
- Therapeutic Order (the order in which treatment/therapies should be applied in order to provide the greatest benefit)
- Emunctories (enhancing the body’s natural channels of toxic elimination)
- Naturopathic (Cures) Method (detoxification, revitalisation, stabilisation and regeneration)
- Theory of Toxaemia (build-up of toxins in the blood by infected cells, growth of microorganisms or external pollutants)
- Naturopathic Triad of Health (physical, nutritional and emotional)
- Theory of Complex Systems (the interconnectedness and interdependence of every part of a complex system)
Naturopathic Modalities
The naturopathic modalities or therapies used around the world vary by country. Some of the most common naturopathic modalities include:
Some naturopathic doctors will have additional training in other natural therapies such as:
Our services at Holistic Health & Wellness currently focus on the highlighted theories/modalities above. Still confused? See what clients come to see a naturopath.
- Clinical Nutrition
- Botanical Medicine (Herbalism)
- Homeopathic Medicine
- Traditional Chinese Medicine / Acupuncture
- Physical Medicine
- Hydrotherapy – Water Cure
- Prevention and Lifestyle Counselling
- Hygiene Therapy
- Nature Cure
Some naturopathic doctors will have additional training in other natural therapies such as:
- Ayurvedic Medicine
- Prescription Rights
- IV Therapies
- Chelation Therapy
- Minor Surgery
- Colon Therapy
Our services at Holistic Health & Wellness currently focus on the highlighted theories/modalities above. Still confused? See what clients come to see a naturopath.